Alley Pascoe is a freelancer writer based in the Northern Territory. She is the former Features Editor at marie claire magazine, and has written for the Australian Women's Weekly, Gourmet Traveller, QANTAS magazine, Stellar, Body+Soul, Primer and Women's Agenda.

Alley Pascoe
Contributor
Articles (23)

The 25 best hikes and trails in Australia
If you didnât know already, Australia is home to some of the most incredible hikes on the planet. From week-long treks through red deserts and green mountains to easy day hikes through rainforests and along beautiful beaches, the land Down Under has every possible kind of walk imaginable â and trust us, theyâre all bloody good.Â
If youâre looking at lacing up your hiking boots this year, weâve got you covered with our pick of the best hikes and walks to do in Australia. Using the age-old philosophy of variety being the best spice, this list has a little bit of everything. From self-guided, kid-friendly day walks to life-changing multi-day treks that can be done independently or in a guided group, weâve rounded up the most beautiful hikes in Australia.
đ„ŸÂ The most epic national parks in Australiađ Australia's best beachesđ€żÂ The best things to do in Australia

The 20 best day trips to take in Australia
We Aussies are a lucky bunch. You only need to drive an hour or so from any major Australian city to wind up in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. However, with so many options, picking which road to venture down first can be quite a challenge.
To make life easier, our Travel & News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has cherry-picked a selection of the best day trips around Australia â many of which she's tried, tested and would happily do all over again (if only there were more days in the year). From heritage-listed towns and coastal hangouts to mountain escapes, Australia has something for every explorer. Now, all thatâs left for you is to load the car and hit the open road.
đ±Â The most incredible places to visit in Australiađ Australia's most popular road tripsđłÂ Regional towns that you can tick off in a day

The 50 best things to do with kids in Australia
Hello parents, babysitters and tech-savvy toddlers. Are you looking for a super fun weekend activity or planning an adventurous activity for your next family holiday in Australia? Youâve come to the right place.
Australia is one of the best places in the world to be a kid, with a virtually endless stream of cool things to do â from parks and waterparks to free museums, theatre shows and zoos galore. We reached out to our network of talented writers, who are also parents, for their top recommendations of the best things to do with kids in each Australian capital city. No matter the age, budget and weather, thereâs an activity to make the whole family happy.
đïžÂ The best holiday destinations for families in AustraliađŠÂ Where to see kangaroos and koalasđĄÂ All the best theme parks in Australia

The 25 best free things to do in Australia's capital cities
Whoever said ânothing in life is freeâ clearly hasnât been to Australia. Our Great Southern Land is full of bucket list experiences that wonât hurt or even touch your bank account. Hiking through some of the worldâs most beautiful national parks? Free! Spotting fairy penguins on the beach? Free! Sampling your way through a world-class market? You guessed it â free!
Our Travel and News Editor, Melissa Woodley, has backpacked all around the globe, so she knows a thing or two about savvy travel. With the help of her trusted team of Aussie travel writers, sheâs curated this list of the best free things to do in Australiaâs major cities. Whether youâre into soaking up the sun outdoors with swims, picnics and hikes, or cooling off inside with free exhibitions, chocolate tours and tram rides, thereâs a budget-friendly activity to make you feel filthy rich with happiness.Â
đ All the best things to do in AustraliađąÂ The coolest things to do with kidsâïžÂ Tourist attractions in Australia that are worth it

The 11 best things to do with kids in Darwin
When schoolâs out, the thought of keeping the kids entertained might have you ready to scream and shout. But donât fear â Darwinâs got plenty of fun to go around. Like your little ones, the city makes up for its size in personality, offering plenty of boisterous indoor and outdoor adventures.Â
Make the most of the tropical year-round heat with water parks, a wave lagoon and fishing trips, or beat the sun with indoor experiences at Crocosaurus Cove or the MAGNT. Hereâs our pick of the best things to do with kids in Darwin â tried, tested and guaranteed to burn off some energy.
đïžÂ More of the best things to do in Darwinđ„ The best cafĂ©s to go with kids in DarwinđłÂ Darwin's top parks for outdoor fun

The 10 best free things to do in Darwin
Just dropped a chunk of change on a heart-pounding swim with a crocodile in the Cage of Death? Time to balance the budget with some top-tier free fun. Luckily, Darwin life happens outdoors, meaning thereâs no shortage of incredible things to do for zero dollars.Â
You can tear down mountain bike trails at Charles Darwin National Park, step back in time at the old Fannie Bay Gaol or stake out the perfect picnic spot on a scenic walk. Take your pick from this list of the best free things to do in Darwin, as curated by our local expert writers.
đłÂ More of the best things to do in Darwinđ All the best day trips from Darwinđ„ The best cafĂ©s in Darwin

12 regional towns to visit in Australia (that are anything but boring)
As much as we love the hustle and bustle of city life, there are moments when you just need to hit pause and escape to the middle of nowhere. From the coast to the countryside and the outback, Australia offers up a wealth of picturesque towns where you are sure to find some peace and quiet.Â
At any of these adorable towns, you can trade crammed bus rides for refreshing nature walks, overcrowded beaches for secluded shores, and busy city parks for untouched pieces of paradise. Here are 12 charming towns that are anything but boring.
đ 10 beach towns to visit in Australia (that aren't Byron Bay)đ The best day trips to take from every Aussie capital cityđ The 30 most incredible places to visit in Australia

The 22 best caravan parks in Australia
Long gone are the days when caravan parking was reserved for the Aussiest of ockers. Caravan parks are having a bit of a revival with their swanky done-up cabins and powered sites for the humble mobile home. Whether camping beachfront is a little bit of you, or youâre looking for a scenic detour from your Great Ocean Road adventure, these caravan parks around Australia are pulling out all the stops.
đ The best family-friendly resorts in Australiađ All the best day trips to take from every capital cityâșïžÂ The best and cheapest camping spots in Australia

The 5 best pubs in Darwin
The Northern Territory is the unofficial watering hole capital of Australia: literally, and alcoholically. After a day spent exploring the best natural swimming spots, Darwin is where the action is at for a nice cold bevvy and some good pub grub.Â
With the NT's capital boasting year-round warm weather and a stellar waterfront scene, itâs almost a crime not to kick back al fresco at one of the pubs. Weâve chosen the best of the bunch for their tasty specials boards, central location and snug atmosphere.
đș The best bars in Darwinđ Where to find Darwin's best burgersđ The best pizza joints in Darwin

The 7 best pizza joints in Darwin
As the old saying goes, âThereâs no such thing as a bad pizza,â because even when itâs average, itâs still a treat. This rings especially true for the pizzerias in Darwin, where every pizza is a slice of heaven.Â
Weâve rounded up the cheesiest, sauciest, tastiest pizzas in the city. From slices with a sea view at Nightcliff foreshore, to mouthfuls of flavour at the most authentic Italian restaurant in town, this list wonât let you down. In the same way, pizza will never disappoint you.
đ The best pizza in Australiađł The greatest things to do in Darwinđœ Darwin's best restaurants

The 20 best steak restaurants in Australia
Finding a stellar steak in a country with almost 30 million cattle is no hard task. But claiming your favourite to be the absolute best? Thatâs sure to stir some serious beef. Whether youâre into rib eye or rump, medium rare or well-done, smothered in peppercorn or chimichurri sauce, and paired with chips or mash â the ways to enjoy a steak are as endless as they are delicious.
Our local expert writers have sliced into the best steaks across every capital city to bring you this list of our favourite steaks in Australia. Now, go get up in their grills.
đ The best burgers in Australiađ„§Â Australia's best piesđ 15 mouthwatering sausage rolls in Australia

The 9 best steaks in Darwin
The Top End is famous for its cattle stations; many of which are larger than some European countries. The stations are vast and the cattle are mighty. Look no further than the smash-hit Netflix series Territory for reference.Â
Brahman reign supreme in these parts, producing high-quality beef perfect for barbequing, smoking and searing. If your mouth is watering at the very thought, youâre in luck. Weâve rounded up the tastiest rumps to satiate the hungriest carnivores in Darwin. Dig in.Â
đ The best burgers in Darwinđ The best pizza joints in Darwinđ»Â Darwin's top bars for a night out
Listings and reviews (4)

Jatbula Trail
From start (Nitmiluk Gorge) to finish (Leliyn, also known as Edith Falls), this hike has it all: cascading waterfalls, sandstone escarpments and monsoon forests. The Jatbula Trail along the western edge of the Arnhem Land plateau has long been walked by the Jawoyn people, and now it is open to a select number of people (15 a day) during the walking season (June to September). The trail starts at 17 Mile Creek, which can be reached by ferry from Nitmiluk Gorge. The scenic cruise sets the tone for the rest of the picturesque adventure. Expect to see ancient rock art, native red-tailed black cockatoos and crystal-clear water holes.Â
Drive time from Katherine:Â 22 mins to the drop-off area at Nitmiluk National Park Visitor CentreÂ
Duration (one way):Â 61km (5â6 days)Â
Level of difficulty:Â Medium to hard

Trephina Gorge Ridgetop Walk
The Ridgetop Walk is a one-day hike that connects John Hayes Rockhole (Atneperrke) and Trephina Gorge (Alherrkentye). You can start the hike at either end, but locals suggest beginning at Trephina Gorge, walking to John Hayes Rockhole and then following the road back to the carpark at the Gorge. If you want to enjoy a night immersed in the East MacDonnell Ranges, then bring a tent as there are camping areas at both sites. Amongst the rock formations, River Redgums and spinifex, you might be lucky to see a Splendid Fairywren or Western Bowerbird. Come prepared for the conditions and make sure to bring enough water.
Drive time from Alice Springs:Â 1 hr
Duration (one way):Â 9km (5 hrs)Â
Level of difficulty:Â Medium to hard

Dhimurru Coastal Walking Trail
To fully appreciate the beauty and history of the YolĆu culture, one must walk in the footsteps of the YolĆu people. Look no further than the Dhimurru Coastal Walking Trail, marked by three short walks from BinydjarĆa (Daliwuy Bay) to Garanhan (Macassan Beach), Ćumuy (Turtle Beach) and BariĆura (Little Bondi). The trail takes you from white sandy beaches to eucalypt woodland and paperbark swamp, showcasing the immense variety of land and sea resources in the area, as documented by the Traditional Owners who have provided interpretive material along the route. Experience East Arnhem Land in all its glory on the Dhimurru Coastal Walking Trail (with a visitor access permit from Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation).Â
Drive time from Nhulunbuy:Â 40 mins
Duration (one way):Â 7.2kms (3 hrs 45 mins)
Level of difficulty:Â Easy

Tabletop Track
Over several days, hikers can dive into the wilderness (and plunge pools) of Litchfield National Park, an hour-and-a-halfâs drive south of Darwin. The Tabletop Track is a triumphant trail through the bush, along creeks and to waterfalls. Prepare for water crossings, tall grass fields and rocky slopes. Reward yourself after a challenging dayâs hike with a swim at Florence Falls, Greenant Creek, Wangi Falls and Walker Creek, which are all stops on the loop route. This is an adventurous trek for the wild at heart and the well-experienced walker. Go forth and get amongst it.Â
Drive time from Darwin:Â 1.5 hrs
Duration (return):Â 39km (3â5 days)
Level of difficulty:Â Medium to hard