A Postcard From Anna Dakin: Where Art Meets the Ancient Landscapes of the NT

For Anna Dakin, art is more than a practice—it’s a way of connecting to the world, a bridge between people, place and spirit. Based in the breathtaking landscapes of the Northern Territory, Anna has spent the last decade transforming her love of art and adventure into a unique experience for others. Her tours combine creativity and exploration, inviting travellers to immerse themselves in one of the world’s most striking regions while forging a deeper connection with its cultural and natural heritage.

Image: Mat Willder

A Postcard From Anna Dakin: Art, Adventure, and Connection in the NT

During art school, I set off on what would become a transformative journey—a solo hike along the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia. For 232 kilometres, I carried a backpack filled with paints and a sleeping mat, immersing myself in the raw beauty of the West MacDonnell Ranges. Alone for much of the journey, I painted en plein air, surrounded by vast, wild landscapes. It was life-changing. To be entirely at ease in nature, removed from human structures and distractions, created a profound sense of connection.

Back in London, I tried to capture the experience on canvas but found it impossible to fully express. The scale, the emotion, the sense of interconnectedness—it was bigger than a painting could contain. At art school, the questions often arose: Why do we create? Who is it for? That’s when I realised I wanted to share this feeling with others, especially those who’d never ventured beyond the confines of urban life. So many of my peers had never experienced remote wilderness, and never truly felt immersed in it. To make and talk about art in places alive with history and energy seemed like an opportunity to help others overcome their fear of the wild and discover its magic.

Today, I run art-focused tours in the Northern Territory, offering travelers the chance to explore this extraordinary land while making art. I’ve learned that a big part of understanding why the Northern Territory looks and feels the way it does lies in its culture—Arrernte culture in Alice Springs and Anangu culture near Uluru. These stories give the land its meaning and its soul. The landscapes here are alive, shaped by ancestral spirits whose presence can be felt in the most unexpected ways. Guests often find this surprising at first, but after a few days of immersion, they begin to feel it too—the palpable energy of a place where ancient stories are embedded in the land.

Image: Max Stussi

One of my favourite experiences is creating art beneath the stars. The night sky in Central Australia is unparalleled, with the Milky Way stretching across the horizon like a luminous river. Painting by starlight is a sensory challenge—mixing colours in near darkness, capturing the shapes of the land and sky—but it’s also deeply meditative. The starlight reveals the landscape in surprising ways, and as your eyes adjust, the night seems to come alive. It’s a reminder of our place in the vastness of the universe, a humbling yet inspiring experience.

The landscape here has a resilience that continues to amaze me. These ancient mountains have weathered bushfires, flash floods, and extreme temperatures—45ºC in summer and -9ºC in winter. The flora and fauna have evolved to survive these extremes, creating a tapestry of life that is as interconnected as it is beautiful. When I spend time camping, I notice how everything here works together: the ancient sands that nourish specific plants, the plants that act as firebreaks, and the rhythms of the animals that inhabit this land. It’s a constant source of inspiration.

I also make it a priority to share Indigenous art and culture with my guests. When I first hiked the Larapinta Trail, I had little knowledge of the Indigenous stories tied to the land, but I felt its aliveness. Over the years, I’ve learned that this energy is maintained through ceremonies practised for tens of thousands of years. Songlines and storylines crisscross the country, telling the stories of ancestors whose actions shaped the land. This spiritual layer exists alongside the physical world, connecting the past, present, and future. It’s profound and humbling, and it’s something I try to convey to my guests.

Painting at the famous Simpsons Gap at the West MacDonnell National Park. Image: Prishant Umakanthan

The art of the Northern Territory has had a significant impact on me. The works of Albert Namatjira, for example, capture the dreamlike beauty of this landscape with unmatched sensitivity. His legacy is profound—both as a painter and as a political figure, being the first Aboriginal Australian to gain citizenship in the 1950s. The dot paintings of the APY Lands, such as those by Tuppy Ngintja Goodwin and Anita Pumani, are another source of inspiration. Their vibrant, joyful work reflects deep cultural knowledge, with songlines embedded in their shapes and patterns.

For those exploring the Northern Territory, Alice Springs is a must-visit, with its abundance of art galleries and cultural centres. The Araluen Art Centre and the Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands Art Centre) are fantastic places to start, offering insight into the region’s rich artistic traditions. Events like the Desert Mob exhibition and the Parrtjima Festival of Light are unmissable, showcasing the diversity and depth of Aboriginal art and culture.

Exploring this landscape is like stepping into another world—a place where art, culture, and nature are intricately intertwined. Every trip, every painting, every conversation with the land deepens my appreciation for the interconnectedness of life. Sharing that with others is not just my passion; it’s my purpose.

To find out more about Anna’s spectacular and award-winning tours take a look at her website here.