Enjoy 13 Days of fascinating touring through the rugged terrain of the Outback. Spot birds and crocodiles in Kakadu and extinct animals at Riversleigh Fossil Fields, and enjoy overnight stays in accommodation that’s comfortable yet full of character.
Day 1. Darwin, Ubirr Art Site, Hawk Dreaming
This morning visit the Window on the Wetlands Centre. Then prepare for your tour of Kakadu National Park at Bowali Visitors Centre with an introduction to the historical and cultural landscape of the park. Wander over to the Ubirr Art Site, where you’ll see ancient rock art. End your day with Sunset Welcome Drinks at Hawk Dreaming Wilderness Lodge, located in a restricted area of Kakadu National Park.
Day 2. Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land
Today you’ll start with an Aboriginal guided Guluyambi cruise along the East Alligator River, keeping an eye out for the many crocodiles that call these waters home. Later, your group boards a 4WD for an Aboriginal cultural and heritage tour into Arnhem Land and Northern Kakadu. Visit places inaccessible to most, including ancient rock art sites. Meet Aboriginal artists at Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre in Oenpelli and experience the region’s world-famous landscapes. Note: Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre is regularly unavailable on weekends and public holidays and may occasionally be closed for cultural reasons.
Day 3. Nourlangie Rock, Yellow Water Cruise, Cooinda
Departing from Jabiru you’ll have the option to take a scenic flight over the Kakadu Escarpment (own expense). Then visit Nourlangie Rock to view different examples of ancient rock art. Later, enjoy a relaxed cruise on Yellow Water Billabong. Brimming with native flora and fauna, the billabong presents an excellent opportunity to spot beautiful birds and crocodiles.
Day 4. Gunlom Falls, Edith Falls, Katherine
Travel to the southern end of Kakadu National Park to Gunlom Falls, where a scene from the movie Crocodile Dundee was filmed. Here you can cool off with a swim, or hike to the top of the falls and take a dip in one of the many pools you’ll discover there. Then visit the beautiful pools around rocky Edith Falls.
Day 5. Katherine Gorge Breakfast Cruise, Daly Waters
Enjoy a breakfast cruise through Katherine Gorge this morning, before taking a swim in the warm crystalline waters of the Mataranka Thermal Pool enroute to the famous Daly Waters Pub, decorated with the memorabilia of visitors from across the globe. During World War II, Daly Waters served as an air force base for Australian and American bomber squadrons posted here to protect Australia’s northern coastline.
Day 6. Daly Waters, Cape Crawford
Departing Daly Waters this morning, travel along the Carpentaria Highway to Caranbirini Conservation Reserve. This small conservation reserve plays an important role in protecting the region’s unique flora and fauna, it’s located in the ecological transition zone between the tropical north and the drier centre of Australia. Later, continue to Cape Crawford, the gateway to the geological formation known as The Lost City.
Day 7. Cape Crawford, Barkly Homestead
This morning there is time for an optional scenic flight over the intriguing natural rock formations of the Lost City (own expense). Later, travel along the Tablelands Highway to your overnight accommodation at Barkly Homestead.
Day 8. Riversleigh Fossil Fields, Lawn Hill National Park
Travel east along the Tablelands Highway, cross the border into Queensland and stop at Camooweal, before continuing to the World Heritage-listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields. With our local Gulf Savannah guide, explore the fields, where fossils of Australian mammals date back around 25 million years. The site includes the first documented records of living mammals such as feather-tailed possums. Head off-road into the wilderness of Lawn Hill National Park, where you’ll spend the next two nights.
Day 9. Lawn Hill Gorge
Spend a full day at leisure to relax in the beautiful surrounds of Lawn Hill Gorge. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at Adels Grove and go on one of the many walks available or hire a canoe (own expense) to explore the pristine waterways of the national park while keeping an eye out for wildlife.
Day 10. Adels Grove, Karumba
This morning, head to Karumba via Leichhardt Falls and Camp 119, the most northerly camp of the ill-fated Burke and Wills Expedition. Located at the mouth of the Norman River, Karumba is the centre for the Gulf of Carpentaria’s prawning and Barramundi fishing industries. It was once a refuelling and repair stop for the great Empire flying boats making their way from Sydney to Great Britain. This evening, enjoy local prawns and a glass of wine on the beach as the sun sets over the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Day 11. Karumba, Gulflander Train Journey, Georgetown
Departing Karumba this morning, travel to Normanton, a small cattle town and the main service point for the gulf. Here, board the historic Gulflander Train and step back in time as you rattle along the railway tracks to Critters Camp. The railway line was built in the late 1800s as part of a planned trans-continental railway. Later, continue by coach to the old goldmining town of Croydon for a walking tour, which includes a visit to the Working Mine Museum. Later, continue to Georgetown.
Day 12. Cobbold Gorge
Today you’ll find yourself amid spectacular views during a boat cruise through the magnificent waterways of Cobbold Gorge. Extremely narrow, closing to a mere two metres wide in places, the gorge is framed by spectacular 30-metre cliffs on either side.
Day 13. Undara Lava Tubes, Cairns
Join a locally-guided tour of the incredible Undara Lava Tubes. Then, travel to Ravenshoe, the highest town in Queensland, dropping in at beautiful Millstream Falls on the way. Finally, travel through the lush Atherton Tablelands to Cairns, where your tour concludes on arrival at approximately 5.30 pm.
