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Itinerary
Wednesday 14 September 2016: Arrive Darwin
On arrival into Darwin you are met and transferred to your accommodation with lunch at leisure. Afterwards meet your tour escort, Sab Lord, for an afternoon sightseeing tour of the city including a curator-led tour of the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory followed by a stroll along Darwin Harbour. Dinner tonight is at Pee Wee’s at The Point, a chance to get to know your fellow travellers (D).
Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Thursday 15 September 2016: Darwin – Kakadu
This morning you head east with Sab to World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Stop en route for a scenic cruise on Corroboree Billabong which is home to a prolific birdlife and the largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the world. Keep a look out for these prehistoric creatures in their natural environment as well as jabiru, ibis, brolga, egret, kite, sea eagle, Magpie geese and many other avian species.
Arrive into Kakadu after lunch with an afternoon of exploration. Covering almost 20,000 square kilometres, the landscape here is full of contrasts. Beneath waters dotted with lotus flowers, saltwater crocodiles lurk. The jagged peaks of towering escarpments hide pockets of monsoon rainforest. Waterfalls cascade into pools fringed with paperbarks, pandanus and cycads. Around 1,000 plant species, a quarter of all Australian freshwater fish species and over one third of Australian bird species are found here (B,L,D).
Kakadu Cooinda Lodge
Friday 16 September 2016: Kakadu – Arnhem Land
An exciting day in store today when you have privileged access to a restricted area of Arnhem Land. Departing the northern region of Kakadu through Cahill’s Crossing you enter Arnhem Land and on to Gunbalanya Aboriginal community with some of the best views in the Top End en route.
On arrival at Gunbalanya visit the Injalak Arts and Craft Centre. Here you have the opportunity to meet and watch traditional artists in action. Established in 1989, Injalak Arts is an Aboriginal organisation supporting the production of quality Aboriginal art. Today, Injalak’s artists produce authentic art inspired by ancient dreamtime stories, images from the nearby rock art galleries and an unbroken link between the present generation of Kunwinjku people and their ancestors.
Afterwards, a traditional Aboriginal guide will show you the exquisite rock art on Injalak Hill (Long Tom Dreaming or Kurrkabal) some which dates back 8,000 years. This area is documented as having some of the best rock art examples in western Arnhem Land – some say Australia. The main gallery is the most impressive featuring layered paintings created over thousands of years. The view from the top of the hill is breathtaking across the floodplains and around the Arnhem Land escarpment. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the shade of one of the many overhanging ledges.
After your Injalak Art experience you head onto Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris in the northwest corner of Arnhem Land and adjacent to Kakadu National Park and the Cobourg Peninsula. Dinner tonight at your comfortable safari camp (B,L,D). Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris
Saturday 17 September 2016: Arnhem Land
Your outback experience continues today when you explore the landscapes around Mt Borradaile, an exclusively leased area nestled against the Arnhem Land escarpment. This landscape of rugged ranges is fringed by idyllic billabongs, flood plains, paper bark swamps and monsoonal rainforests. Valleys, overhangs and caves have been occupied for over 50,000 years and offer magnificent galleries of rock art as well as occupation and burial sites. Davidson’s offers plenty to do with a range of eco-tours including fishing, Aboriginal Art tours, billabong cruises and more (B,L,D).
Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris
Sunday 18 September 2016: Arnhem Land – Mary River Floodplains
A short charter flight this morning to Bamurru Plains, an exclusive wildlife experience on the magnificent Mary River floodplains. Located on Swim Creek Station, this safari-style camp is surrounded by savannah woodland teeming with an amazing assortment of wildlife, reptiles and birds.
This afternoon is a 4WD trip across the property, exploring different corners of the 300 square kilometre station, spotting buffalo, brumbies, brolga, crocodiles and magpie geese.
This evening, you’re in for a treat. Enjoy sunset canapés and drinks up in the treetops. Bamurru’s new Bird Hide is the ultimate eyrie from which birdlife and other wildlife can be observed undisturbed in their natural habitat. Watch the floodplain wildlife wind down at the end of the day from above with a cold beer or glass of wine in hand before heading back to the lodge where a three-course dinner will be served (B,L,D).
Bamurru Plains
Monday 19 September 2016: Mary River Floodplains
This morning climb aboard the airboats for an excursion across the floodplains, spotting crocodiles and startling the Magpie geese into flight. Stopping in a quiet lagoon, shaded by paperbark trees and surrounded by lilies, enjoy morning tea before returning to camp. An exclusive lunch is arranged today beside a billabong where buffalo wallow in the cool water, brumbies graze near-by and whistling kites or white-bellied sea eagles soar overhead. Return to the lodge and late this afternoon head out on a river cruise, spotting big saltwater crocs and a wide range of birdlife. Enjoy sundowners back at the lodge before dinner (B,L,D).
Bamurru Plains
Tuesday 20 September 2016: Mary River Floodplains – Bullo River
This morning a final excursion before the private charter flight southwest to Bullo River Station (approx. 90 minutes), 500,000 acres of privately owned land near the Western Australian border in the East Kimberley region.
Encircled by the coffee coloured waters of the Victoria River and rugged hills inscribed with Aboriginal rock art, this vast property is not only home to around 9,000 cattle, but also a stunning variety of local fauna including wallabies, dingoes, wild buffalo, a myriad native and migratory birds, fish and the omnipresent crocodile. The ‘Boab’ is Bullo’s symbol and these proud trees dot the entire property lending their stature to what is already an impressive landscape.
Enjoy lunch on arrival and this afternoon get involved with life on a working cattle station. Watch a cattle muster or lend a hand in the yards – feeding, branding, even dehorning. This evening’s menu is based around the property’s local produce – fresh barramundi and organic prime beef (B,L,D).
Bullo River Station
Wednesday 21 September 2016: Bullo River
Today’s touring may include fishing for barramundi along a lovely stretch of the Bullo River, a 4WD safari, quad biking and gorge cruising – adventure awaits! One of today’s highlights is a breathtaking helicopter flight to the Cascades, located 15 minutes from the homestead in rocky escarpment country. Swim in waterholes, through waterfalls or simply relax in the sun. This evening, dinner under the stars is the perfect end to your outback adventure (B,L,D). Bullo River Station
Thursday 22 September 2016: Bullo River – Darwin. This morning transfer by chartered aircraft to Darwin Airport for onward flights (B).
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
Departures & Rates
This unique adventure takes you to the heart of the outback, an ancient land of breathtaking landscapes inhabited over millennia by indigenous communities who still call it home. Explore pristine wetlands and the incredible wildlife found there, meet indigenous artists and admire ancient rock art as well as experiencing life on a working cattle station. Access to your remote destinations is by a combination of 4WD vehicle, helicopter and chartered light aircraft and accommodation is in some of the Northern Territory’s finest and most intimate lodgings.
Rates
| Tour Dates | Per Person Price From |
| 14Sep16 to 22Sep16 | $12,495 |
Single supplement add on for $4,995. Prices are in AUD based on twin share per person. This does not include domestic air to/from Darwin at the beginning/end of trip.
Tour Highlights
- An intimate group of no more than 16
- One-on-one interaction with your colourful host
- Access to restricted areas of Arnhem Land
- Injalak rock art appreciation with an Aboriginal community member
- Corroboree Billabong Cruise on the Mary River
- Luxury safari accommodation at Bamurru Plains
- Bullo River station and homestead
- Helicopter flight to the Cascades at Bullo River
- Treetop Sundowners
- Farewell dinner under the stars
- Private arrival and departure transfers
- Charter flights between Arnhem Land to Bamurru Plains, to Bullo River, to Darwin
Tour Host
Sab has spent over 25 years in and around the Northern Territory and Western Australia leading specialised tours throughout the Kimberley, Kakadu, Arnhem Land and surrounds. In the 1950’s his father ran a crocodile and buffalo hunting operation at Munmalary, an outback station which is now encapsulated in World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. His in-depth knowledge and passion for the local flora, fauna and history coupled with his big personality and close personal links to the traditional Aboriginal owners make your touring experience one to remember
*Rates are subject to availability and seasonality and may change without notice. Rates are based on two adults sharing. For solo travellers or single person occupancy rates or further information on terms and conditions, please contact our Travel Specialists at time of booking.
