Your guide will pick you up from your Darwin accommodation at 8am in our luxury fully equipped air-conditioned 4WD.  We travel south down the Stuart Highway and then turn off onto the back road into Litchfield National Park. Here we can swim in safe, crocodile free, crystal clear natural plunge pools, view magnificent waterfalls, walk in monsoon forests and view the amazing magnetic and cathedral termite mounds. We spend the day exploring the Park before continuing on to our accommodation at Lake Bennett Wilderness Resort. If time allows there may be the opportunity to enjoy canoeing or perhaps a swim in the lake. (L)

Our first stop is Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve, 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 and the Adelaide and Mary Rivers before our morning tea stop at an outback pub and roadhouse, the Bark Hut Inn. We then turn off the Arnhem Highway down the old Jim Jim 4WD dirt track into Kakadu National Park, with the opportunity to view birds and wildlife at waterholes along the way. After lunch we join a cruise on the famous Yellow Water Billabong, abundant with many species of birds and of course the mighty saltwater crocodile. Later we visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Tonight our accommodation is at the Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn in Jabiru.  (BL)

After breakfast we visit the Bowali Visitor Centre and Park Headquarters and Marrawuddi Gallery before heading to Nanguluwur rock art and occupation sites. These sites are less well known and well away from the crowds but have some excellent examples of rock art including the rare and ancient dynamic figures, x-ray style art and the so called contact period art which represents the Aboriginal people’s first contact with white man. Your guide will explain the art and culture of the area. After lunch we head south along the 4WD track to Maguk Gorge (Barramundie Gorge) and 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 below abeautiful perennial waterfall. Tonight our accommodation is at the Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn in Jabiru.  (BL)

Early morning we drive beneath the towering escarpment to East Alligator River, the natural border to Arnhem Land. Entry into Arnhem Land is by special permit only which we will arrange for you. We engage 4WD, ford the crocodile infested river and, with the special permission of the traditional owners, we visit a small Aboriginal community. Here there is the chance to meet Aboriginal artists and weavers and watch them at work. This is an excellent opportunity to purchase genuine Aboriginal art and craft at wholesale prices. (Note - you are under no pressure to buy.)  Later we join an Aboriginal guided tour to a nearby ancient rock art site where some artwork dates back in excess of 20,’000 years. You will receive expert interpretation of the art by your Aboriginal guide and enjoy excellent views overlooking the Arnhem Land wetlands. After lunch we begin our journey back to Darwin via the Highway, viewing wetlands and billabongs along the way. We take a break at the Bark Hut Inn and arrive in Darwin late afternoon.  (BL)

Includes all morning teas, breakfasts and lunches as well as Park entry fees and Arnhem Land permits
Excludes evening meals and alcohol

NOTE: We reserve the right to amend this program as we deem necessary due to weather, seasonal road conditions, logistics, or for Aboriginal cultural reasons

Brookes Australia Tours
Brookes Australia Tours - Civilised Outback Adventures - Top End of the Northern Territory.
Celebrating our 20th year of high quality, personalised touring experiences.

Tel: Int 08 8948 1306

PO Box 3089 Palmerston NT 0831, Australia

e-mail: bbrookes@ozemail.com.au