1
Darwin
Hilton Garden Inn
On arrival into Darwin, enjoy a Darwin city tour before being transferred to the Hilton Garden Inn, located on The Esplanade. Gather for a tour briefing, along with dinner at the hotel restaurant. (D)
2
Darwin – Maningrida – Barramundi Lodge
Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge
This morning we fly to Maningrida and experience a Welcome to Country.
We spend the next two nights at Barramundi Lodge, which is owned and operated by Outback Spirit. With special permission from traditional owners, the lodge has exclusive fishing licenses for numerous remote waterways, including the Tomkinson and Liverpool Rivers. The lodge features 12 beautiful safari suites and a restaurant overlooking the floodplains below. (B,L,D)
3
Fishing & Wilderness Adventure – Arts & Cultural Centre
Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge
This morning, we enjoy an exclusive fishing and marine adventure on the Liverpool and Tomkinson Rivers – pristine waterways teeming with Barramundi. Our expert fishing guides will take you wherever the fish are biting aboard our sturdy Ocean Master vessels, the pinnacle for remote marine adventures. These boats feature an on-board restroom and shade canopy.
Today’s fishing adventure is also a wilderness tour, so if fishing isn’t your thing, you’ll still enjoy the stunning scenery and informative commentary.
We will also visit the Maningrida Arts and Cultural Centre and the Djomi Museum, to delve into the cultural and spiritual richness of the area. Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary Indigenous cultural expression and art-making and the Maningrida Art Centre empowers local Indigenous artists to pursue successful global careers from their homeland and township bases.
Later this afternoon, we’ll enjoy a sunset drink on the deck before dinner and tell everyone about the one that got away. (B,L,D)
4
Maningrida – Mount Borradaile
Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris
Departing Maningrida after breakfast, our travels take us through the stone country of west Arnhem Land. We’ll cross the Goomadeer and Liverpool Rivers before arriving at the turnoff to Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris, Mount Borradaile. From here, we travel along a 40km bush track into the safari lodge, arriving in time for lunch. We’ll then check-in to our cabins, home for the next two nights.
This afternoon, the expert staff at Mount Borradaile will take you through 40,000 years of Aboriginal culture in an awe-inspiring landscape. The area contains some of the most stunning rock art galleries in the world. In terms of artistic quality, quantity, colourfulness, and state of preservation, it is virtually unrivalled.
The walls of the many rock shelters are decorated with innumerable pictures documenting traditional Aboriginal life over many thousands of years. Subjects range from now-extinct animals to 20th-century sailing ships and the iconic Rainbow Serpent.
Later this afternoon, we return to the lodge for dinner. (B,L,D)
5
Mount Borradaile
Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris
Today, we jump into the open-back Toyotas and continue exploring the wonderland that is Mount Borradaile. We’ll visit the ancient ‘catacombs’, where the sandstone has been eroded by wind and water over 600 million years, resulting in a massive cave system that is full of Aboriginal art. Learn about the variety of techniques used in rock paintings as the styles evolved over thousands of years of occupation and storytelling. We’ll also wander through various occupation sites and view a range of artefacts from when these sites were in use.
After lunch, it’s time to explore the incredible wetlands of Cooper Creek. Admire the prolific birdlife and large crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks as you discover lagoons that seem as if they have sprung from a story book. As the sun seeks the horizon, setting over the floodplain, enjoy a glass of wine and nibbles before returning to the lodge for our final night with Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris. (B,L,D)
6
Arnhem Land – Kakadu National Park
Mercure Crocodile Hotel
This morning, we continue travelling through Arnhem Land. Our first stop is at the Injalak Art Gallery located in Oenpelli, which has over 200 active members, including artists, weavers, and craftspeople from Gunbalanya and surrounds.
We cross Cahill’s Crossing (keep an eye out for saltwater crocodiles) and into World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Kakadu covers almost 20,000 square kilometres and is renowned for its vast wetlands, exotic wildlife, millions of migratory birds and an estimated 5000 ancient rock art sites. The Bininj/Mungguy people have called Kakadu home for some 65,000 years.
Here, we visit Ubirr art site, home to some outstanding rock art. Enjoy a 1-kilometre circular track walk to take in the multiple sites. Those feeling fit can make the steep 250-metre climb to the top of the rocky escarpment for magnificent views across the Magela floodplain.
After lunch, we visit the cultural centre before checking into the Mercure Crocodile Hotel for our two-night stay. Tonight, we dine at the hotel. (B,L,D)
7
Kakadu National Park
Mercure Crocodile Hotel
It’s an early start today as we head to the airstrip, where you'll gain an aerial perspective on this incredible environment. Take to the skies on a 30-minute scenic flight over ancient escarpments, floodplains and winding rivers, exhibiting the results of 1.8 billion years of continuous erosion. Your flight includes live commentary from your pilot as you glide over these spectacular ancient lands.
After landing at Jabiru Airport, we depart for Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site, with more amazing rock paintings, which date back 20,000 years. There are several sites and galleries to see. You also have the opportunity to climb up to the Gunwarddehwarde lookout for majestic views.
We then visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre, where the Traditional Owners share their story through an interactive educational experience that brings to life tens of thousands of years of human life in Kakadu. The gift shop here has an extensive range of handcrafted, authentic, local-made arts and crafts.
Later this afternoon, we take to the water for the Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) wetlands cruise. This area is home to an array of birdlife and some impressive saltwater crocodiles.
We return to the Mercure Crocodile hotel in time for dinner. (B,L,D)
8
Kakadu National Park - Darwin
Setting our sights for Darwin, we will cross the South Alligator River with its expansive wetlands which, for many years, were used for buffalo hunting. We’ll travel via Humpty Doo before arriving into Darwin, where our tour ends.
Here, there is the option of being transferred to your city centre hotel if you are staying longer, or the airport for your fight home. (B)