Seeing The Lost City From the Air vs. On the Ground
Deep in the heart of the Northern Territory, there is a place that feels like it has been forgotten by time. The Lost City is a massive maze of sandstone that looks a bit like the ruins of a giant, ancient city. To really understand how special this spot is, it helps to see it from two different angles. Most places look fine from the ground, but the Lost City needs a bit more to tell its whole story.
Every adventure starts the moment the helicopter leaves the ground. From the air, the Territory opens up in a way you just cannot see from a car or a hiking track. Without being high up, it is almost impossible to tell just how huge this place is. As you fly over, you will see thousands of giant stone columns. There are over 10,000 of them standing tall like a forest made of rock. Some of these pillars are 30 metres high.
Up there, you get to see the big picture. When the sun hits the stone, it glows with a beautiful golden light. You will see the bright orange rocks standing out against the green trees and the soft moss growing in the shadows. Since there are no roads or signs out here, the flight is the only way to see how peaceful and untouched this wilderness really is. It is a great reminder of how big and wild the Australian outback can be.
As amazing as the flight is, you have the choice to take the experience even further. For those who want to get up close, we offer an optional guided walking tour. If the flight is the wow moment, the walk is the quiet magic. Once your boots are on the ground, the landscape becomes much more personal.
We like to take our time here. What could be a quick walk turns into a two hour explore. This is where having guides like Nick and Leslie makes a big difference. Because they both have science degrees, they can point out all the cool little things you would usually walk right past. It does not feel like a school lesson though. It is more like a friendly chat with mates while you wander through the bush.
Down on the ground, you notice the tiny details you missed from the air. You might see a vibrant dragon lizard sunning itself on a rock, microbats tucked away in shaded hollows, or the intricate webs spun by local spiders. You can feel the rough texture of the ancient sandstone and smell the fresh scent of the wildflowers. It is all about slowing down and noticing the life that thrives among the rocks.
There is something really special about being the only people standing on that plateau with no one else for miles. By seeing the Lost City from both the air and the ground, you get the best of both worlds. You fly to see how grand it is, but you can choose to walk to feel the heart of the place. By the time we head back, you have not just seen a famous sight. You have truly connected with the land and hopefully made a few new friends along the way.
