KAKADU/ARNHEM LAND 4 DAY TOUR

Travel in the comfort of a luxurious fully equipped airconditioned 4WD vehicle with a maximum of just 6 passengers. Note: There may be other guests on the Arnhem Land section of this itinerary. We pick you up from your accommodation in Darwin, travel by road to Kakadu National Park, then fly by light aircraft to Arnhem Land and back to Darwin.

Day 1: Depart Darwin accommodation at around 8am in our fully equipped 4WD. Travelling down the Arnhem Highway our first stop is Fogg Dam, a vast open wetland area that is home to large numbers of birds during our Top End dry season. Moving on we cross the Marrakai plains, the Adelaide and Mary Rivers before our morning tea stop at the Bark Hut Inn. We then turn off the highway down the old Jim Jim dirt track into Kakadu with the opportunity for viewing bird and wildlife at waterholes along the way. Enjoy a picnic lunch with billy tea. Then travel on to the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre before checking into Cooinda Lodge our accommodation for the next two nights. Join a sunset cruise on the famous Yellow Waters, abundant with many species of birds and of course the mighty salt water crocodile.

Day 2: After breakfast we head north to the Bowali Visitor Centre and then on to the famous Nourlangie rock art and occupation sites dated in excess of 20,000 years.Your guide will explain the art and culture of the area, the extra walk to Gunwarrde Warrde lookout is rewarded with panoramic views. We return to Cooinda for a buffet lunch. After lunch we head south along the 4WD track to Maguk (Barramundie Gorge) spend the afternoon in this picturesque area. At the end of a monsoonal forest walk you can enjoy a swim in the refreshing natural plunge pool with a waterfall. Late afternoon return to Cooinda Lodge.

Day 3: Early morning join your light aircraft at Cooinda airstrip for a 30 minute scenic flight into a private bush airstrip and safari camp (located nearby) in remote Western Arnhem Land. Met by your bush guide and with the special permission of the traditional owners you 4WD to one of the many ancient Aboriginal rock art sites. The art is colourful and prolific, from a culture dating back more than 65,000 years and regarded as some of the oldest and finest to be found anywhere in the world. Recorded on rock walls and inside caves which were once occupation sites and situated in an area very sensitive to local Aboriginal folklore, these artsites are a fascinating insight into one of the worlds oldest cultures. Remote with spectacular scenery, pristine wetlands, billabongs, birdlife and wildlife. Learn about traditional foods and medicine. Enjoy a refreshing swim in a freshwater billabong, before buffet lunch. Passengers set out in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset from high in the escarpment overlooking vast wetlands. Return to camp, take a warm shower before enjoying a camp oven cooked evening meal then yarn around the campfire before retiring for the night.

Day 4:Wake to the sounds of the bush and enjoy a cooked breakfast. Today’s activities are determined by your interests, seasons and tides and could be any of the following. Explore more of the many rock art sites, visit billabong country for bird and wildlife spotting, 4WD to the coast for fishing, wander along the remote and private beach, bush walking, swimming, learn more about traditional foods and medicines, photography, relaxing evenings around the camp fire or maybe a combination of activities. There is also the very exciting option of helicopter touring by arrangement. Depart late afternoon by light aircraft back to Darwin ETA 5.30 pm.

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