Off the Beaten Track in Style

An early start today as you depart from your Darwin Hotel for your private guided tour with Venture North for the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. En route join a morning cruise on the picturesque Corroboree Billabong. On this scenic cruise you have the opportunity to view a large variety of birdlife as well as salt water crocodiles in their natural environment. Learn more about the wildlife on the billabong from your knowledgeable guide who will make the cruise both fascinating and informative.

Continue to the historical 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). Enjoy a scenic 1km walk along the edge of Barramundi Creek before arriving at the base of Barramundi Falls. Here you have the opportunity to swim or snorkel in the large plunge pool below the falls and discover an array of aquatic life.

Depart Maguk late afternoon for Nawalandja lookout. A short climb takes you up the sloping sandstone to provide views of the sun setting across Anbangbang Billabong, Nourlangie Rock, and the Arnhem Land escarpment. Depart after sunset for Jabiru and the Lake View Bush Bungalows, your accommodation for the night.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Anbinik Kakadu Resort (Bush Bungalow)

After breakfast 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 with floodplains covered in bird life, and water lilies running up alongside the Arnhem Land escarpment.

Upon arrival at Gunbalanya, you 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 an Aboriginal guide to be shown around the Injalak Hill art sites. Spend the morning experiencing some of the best Aboriginal rock art in Australia, before returning to the Injalak Art Centre where we leave our hosts and journey on to the Cobourg Peninsula. The drive takes approximately 3-4 hours with stops and creek crossings along the way. Later arrive at Venture North’s camp where you will be greeted by the resident camp hosts and served nibbles on the cliff top. Relax as the sun sets over Port Essington.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Venture North’s Cobourg Coastal Camp

Awake to the sound of birds and enjoy a special ‘Cobourg-style’ cooked breakfast. Today will be spent exploring the Northern Territory’s only Marine Park by boat. Cobourg is abundant in some amazing marine life including six species of marine turtle, dolphins, sharks, crocodiles, stingrays, mud crabs and plenty of fish. As you cruise the Marine Park, stop and visit the Victoria Settlement ruins. Established prior to Darwin as a military outpost by the British, this site represents the third failed attempt at settlement in Northern Australia. After surviving for 11 years between 1838 and 1849 it was abandoned. Stone ruins still stand on the shoreline of Port Essington and serve as a reminder of the hardships faced by the early colonists.

Depart the settlement and enjoy a slow journey back to camp stopping along the way to spot marine life and do some fishing. Return to camp late afternoon where you can explore the nearby beaches and creek systems, try your luck at fishing, or simply enjoy the solitude while reading a book from a hammock overlooking the ocean. Tonight enjoy a freshly caught seafood dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Venture North’s Cobourg Coastal Camp

Today explore the eastern side of the Park this time by 4WD. Cobourg is home to the first RAMSAR wetland (wetlands of international importance) in the world with freshwater paperbark swamps and billabongs 100m from the coastline. Continue on via the northern beaches, commonly used as turtle nesting areas and covered in a wide range of shells. Low tide provides opportunities to explore exposed coral reefs and rock pools home to a variety of marine life. After lunch you will have an opportunity to go hunting for mud crabs using traditional Aboriginal methods. Learn how to hunt and gather these local delicacies, before having a go yourself. This afternoon we will also visit the Park’s Cultural and Information Centre before making your way back towards camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Venture North’s Cobourg Coastal Camp

This morning depart Cobourg early. Sit back and enjoy the bush scenery of Arnhem Land as you make your way back to Kakadu National Park. After numerous stops along the way, enjoy lunch next to the banks of the mighty East Alligator River. After lunch visit Ubirr Rock where you spend time viewing some of Kakadu’s best Aboriginal rock art. A short walk to the top of Ubirr offers spectacular views of the surrounding wetlands and stone country.

Depart Ubirr to Darwin via the Arnhem highway. En route to Darwin 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 approximately 7:00pm for a well-earned rest at the SKYCITY Darwin. Nestled on 30 acres of tropical gardens alongside the Arafura Sea, SKYCITY’s bustling casino is teamed with accommodation and dining options. SKYCITY is home to Darwin’s only five-star beachfront resort, complete with a private white-sand beach and an eight room tropical spa. Relax in one of the stylishly appointed hotel or resort rooms, swim in the infinity-edged or lagoon style pools, enjoy the cuisine of our five distinctive restaurants, and indulge in spa treatments.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: SKYCITY Darwin

After breakfast your private driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the Darwin Airport for your scheduled charter flight direct to Bullo River Station. Covering 500,000 acres, Bullo River Station was one of the first cattle stations established in the East Kimberley region. The property, which is in a remote part of the Northern Territory, is home to 9000 Brahman-cross cattle, plus local and introduced species such as wallabies, dingoes, buffalo and crocodiles. Accommodation at this working cattle station, include 12 air-conditioned rooms overlooking a nearby lagoon. The vast landscape of the property provides a truly unique five star outback experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Bullo River Station

Let your guide at Bullo River Station bring the wonders of this timeless land to life. Adventurers are invited to go heli-fishing, boat cruising among the myriad rivers or take advantage of the magnificent photographic opportunities with some of the best scenery in the Northern Territory. Station tours are a great experience – whether by horse, quad bike or 4WD – giving a perspective on the enormity of property and the isolation of the Top End. Wildlife spotting includes the opportunity to go searching for the huge saltwater crocodiles, water buffalo, wallabies, bird life and more. Cattle mustering is seasonal between the winter months of May to October, and guests are welcome to watch or participate with the handling of stock.

Whether you’re a novice or enthusiast, the chance to try some of the best fishing in North Australia shouldn’t be missed. The Bullo River flows for 80km exclusively on the property providing the opportunity for fresh and tidal salt-water fishing. Tours to ancient indigenous rock art sites, hiking, heli-tours and much more are also available (heli is available at additional cost). Bullo is without doubt one of Australia’s most remarkable, authentic and inspiring travel destinations.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Bullo River Station

Continue to enjoy the amazing range of activities on offer at Bullo River Station.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Bullo River Station

After breakfast you will board a private charter flight to El Questro. Totalling one million acres in size, El Questro is located in Western Australia’s untamed Kimberley region and extends for approximately 80 kilometres into its heart, most of which is yet to be explored. It is one of Australia’s last true frontiers.

El Questro Homestead sits amid a cool oasis shaded by palm trees and tropical greenery, perched atop an escarpment that plummets into the Chamberlain River. There are just eight guest rooms and one luxurious suite in the sprawling homestead, the interior design taking its cues from the environment, embracing rustic Australian furnishings. El Questro Homestead has become a by-word for absolute luxury within the Australian wilds. Located in the heart of the beautiful, forbidding Kimberley, The Homestead is an exclusive retreat open to just 18 guests.

El Questro tours and activities form an integral part of every visit to the property. The homestead offers a wide range of complimentary excursions that provide opportunities to fully immerse yourself in the natural attractions of the Wilderness Park. The majority are exclusive to Homestead guests, facilitating engagement between the small group and their guide. El Questro’s enthusiastic rangers are adept at personalising your experience to your individual tastes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: El Questro Homestead

As a part of your stay at El Questro Homestead, you will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of activities. Available activities include boating through the Chamberlin Gorge, bush culture, history and nature tours, bird-watching, gorge walks, and horse riding, and you will have exclusive access to the stunning Zebedee Springs.

A number of activities and experiences are also available for an extra cost, including:

• Miri Miri Waterfall by Helicopter
• The Lost City Cave Tour by Helicopter
• Champagne Springs Walk by Helicopter
• Amaroo Falls by Helicopter
• 4WD Fishing Tour to the Pentecost River
• Heli-fishing tours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: El Questro Homestead

Continue to enjoy the selected activities on offer while staying at El Questro Homestead or perhaps choose from one of the optional activities such as a helicopter tour.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: El Questro Homestead

Enjoy your last morning at El Questro homestead before transferring by road to Kununurra to connect with your onward arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: None