Itinerary
5 Day Kakadu Arnhem Land Cobourg Tour.
Travel from Darwin in Four Wheel Drive air-conditioned comfort to exotic and unique destinations in Australia's Top End. Visit the waterways and wetlands that are host to an amazing wildlife experience including crocodiles, water buffalo, banteng, wild boar, goanna and dingo. Hundreds of bird species inhabit the rain forests and flood plains of the region, making it a bird watchers paradise. The billabong, rivers and coastline also produce some of the best fishing locations in the world.
Swim in a crystal clear pools in Kakadu National Park, or cross the East Alligator River border into aboriginal Arnhem Land, where you can see ancient rock paintings and gain a first hand understanding of the history and traditions of the world's oldest living culture.
Your private tour guide can take you to remote Cobourg Peninsula and the spectacular beauty of Gurig Ganuk Barlu National and Marine Park where you can see the ruins of Victoria Settlement, a disastrous early attempt to settle Australia's northern coast. The marine, bird and animal life at Gurig is simply stunning and there are plenty of walking tracks to help you explore the area. The aboriginal occupants of this region still hunt crocodiles, dugong and sea turtles using traditional methods such as spears.
TOUR CODE: KAC05This tour departs Darwin Monday and Wednesday. May to November.
Day 1- (L/D)Depart Darwin accommodation 7:00 - 7:15am for Kakadu National Park. En route visit the Adelaide River wetlands, Fog Dam Conservation Reserve and the Bark Hut Inn for a refreshment stop before entering Kakadu. Travel along the Old Jim Jim Road visiting White Lily Billabong before arriving at Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). Here we take a scenic 1 km walk along the edge of Barramundi Creek before arriving at the base of Barramundi Falls for a swim in the large plunge pool below, along with the large array of aquatic life that is present at Maguk.Depart Maguk mid-afternoon for Nourlangie Rock where we spend the remainder of the afternoon viewing one of Kakadu's oldest Aboriginal rock art and occupations sites.Depart Nourlangie for Nawalandja lookout. A short climb takes us up the sloping sandstone to provide views of the sun setting across Anganbangbang Billabong, Nourlangie Rock and the Arnhem Land escarpment.Depart after sunset for Jabiru and the Lake View Bush Bungalows, our accommodation for tonight.Overnight: Lake View Bush Bungalows, Kakadu National Park
Day 2- (B/L/D)After breakfast we travel from Jabiru to the northern region of Kakadu National Park to Cahill's Crossing on the East Alligator River and enter Arnhem Land. A 15 km scenic drive to Gunbalanya Aboriginal Community provides some of the best driving views in the Top End. Floodplains covered in bird life and waterlillies running up along side the Arnhem Land escarpment. Upon arrival at Gunbalanya we will visit the Injalak Arts and Craft Centre. Here you have the opportunity to meet and watch traditional local artists in action before departing with our Aboriginal guide to be shown around the Injalak Hill art sites. Spend the morning experiencing some of the best Aboriginal art sites in Australia before returning to the Injalak Art Centre where we leave our host and journey onto the Cobourg Peninsula. The drive takes approximately 3-4 hours with stops along the way. Upon arrival at Cobourg we will head straight for Venture North's permanent Coastal Camp to settle in and enjoy the sunset.Overnight: Venture North Coastal Camp
Day 3- (B/L/D)This morning is spent exploring the Cobourg Marine Park by boat en route to the Victoria Settlement ruins. The Victoria Settlement was established between 1838 - 1849 by the British as one of the first settlements in northern Australia. The stone ruins are still standing on the shoreline of Port Essington and serve as a reminder of the harshness early settlers faced. Cobourg is also abundant in some amazing marine life such as dugong, dolphins, six species of marine turtles, crocodiles, stingrays and plenty of fish . All without the crowds. Return to camp to explore more of the surrounding area before sitting back to enjoy sunset and a fresh BBQ dinner.Overnight: Venture North Coastal Camp
Day 4- (B/L/D)Today we explore the eastern side of the park, this time by 4WD. Cobourg is home to the first RAMSAR wetlands (wetlands of international importance) in Australia with freshwater paperbark swamps and billabongs 100 m from the coastline.Continue on via the northern beaches, commonly used as turtle nesting areas and covered in a wide range of shells. This afternoon we visit the park's Cultural and Information Centre before making our way back towards camp.Overnight: Venture North Coastal Camp
Day 5- (B/L)This morning we depart Cobourg early and make our way back through Arnhem Land to Kakadu National Park. After lunch you have the option of joining the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River (additional cost) or alternatively visit Ubirr Rock where we spend time viewing some of Kakadu's best Aboriginal rock art and enjoying spectacular view of the surrounding wetlands and stone country from the top of Ubirr.Depart Ubirr/East Alligator returning to Darwin via the Arnhem Land Highway. En route to Darwin we will stop and visit the Mamukala Wetlands, which at times is a haven for thousands of magpie geese as well as many other species of native birds and reptiles.Arrive in Darwin at approximately 19:00pm.
Costs: (per person)Adults: AUD $1,960.00 Child (6-14yrs): AUD $1,533.00 Prices include GST and are valid until 30 November 2009.
Inclusions:
Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Cobourg permits and entry fees
Meals as stated ( B - breakfast/L - lunch/ D - dinner )
Accommodation and camp fees (twin share)
Injalak tour fee
Victoria Settlement tour
BYO:
comfortable walking shoes
shorts, long pants, t-shirts, long sleeve shirt
hat, sun block
swimmers and towel
personal medications
torch and your camera!
Note: Personal baggage is limited to an overnight bag and a day pack.
