Enjoy 14 days of fascinating touring through rocky escarpments, stepped waterfalls, subterranean lava tubes and ancient rock art. This adventure is packed full of geological and cultural wonders.
Day 1. Cairns, Undara Lava Tubes
This morning, travel to Ravenshoe, the highest town in Queensland, and beautiful Millstream Falls. Then, join a locally guided tour of the incredible Undara Lava Tubes. These tunnels were formed around 190,000 years ago by the lava flows from an erupting volcano.
Day 2. Cobbold Gorge
Travel westwards along the Gulf Development Road to Georgetown then southwards to Forsyth before entering Robin Hood Station. 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. Admire the undulating shapes and colours of the rock as you drift through this spectacular site.
Day 3. Croydon, Gulflander Train
Enjoy a self guided walking tour of historic Croydon. Board the legendary Gulflander Train and traverse stark red plains and savannah landscapes before arriving at Karumba. This evening watch the sun go down over the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria with a drink and a snack of fresh prawns.
Day 4. Normanton, Lawn Hill National Park
Depart Normanton and visit the broad, stepped waters of Leichhardt Falls on your way to beautiful Lawn Hill National Park, where you’ll stay for the next two nights in a uniquely beautiful setting.
Day 5. Lawn Hill Gorge, Boodjamulla National Park
Spend a full day to explore this 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 6. Riversleigh Fossil Fields, Barkly Tablelands
Enjoy an intriguing guided tour of the World Heritage-listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields, home to some of the richest and most extensive fossil deposits in the world, including some dating back over 25 million years. Travel the Gregory Downs Cammooweal Road as cross the border into the Northern Territory.
Day 7. Barkly Tablelands, Caranbirini
Travel the Tablelands Highway to Caranbirini. Take a walk among the strange rock formations at Caranbirini Conservation Reserve.
Day 8. Cape Crawford, Daly Waters
Fly over the Lost City, a unique geological formation in the Gulf of Carpentaria region, during an optional helicopter flight. Then travel the to Daly Waters where during World War 11 it served as an airforce base for Australian and American bomber squadrons. Make a stop at the famous Daly Waters Pub, decorated with the memorabilia of visitors from across the globe.
Day 9. Mataranka Thermal Pool, Katherine
Visit Mataranka in the heart of the Never Never, an area made famous by the book of Jeannie Gunn, Visit Mataranka Thermal Pool for a relaxing swim in the warm crystal clear waters or take a shady walk under the massive palm trees. Continue onto Katherine.
Day 10. Katherine Gorge Breakfast Cruise, Kakadu National Park
This morning, enjoy breakfast on board a cruise of Katherine Gorge and visit the beautiful pools around rocky Edith Falls. 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. This afternoon enjoy a relaxed cruise of Yellow Water Billabong. Brimming with native flora and fauna, the billabong presents an excellent opportunity to spot beautiful birds and camouflaged crocodiles.
Day 11. Nourlangie Rock, Hawk Dreaming
Visit Nourlangie Rock to view different examples of ancient rock art. Take the opportunity for a scenic flight over the Kakadu Escarpment (own expense) then travel to the northern section of Kakadu National Park. End your day with Sunset Welcome drinks at Hawk Dreaming Wilderness Camp. Become a guest of the local Aboriginal people at this site, located in a restricted area of Kakadu National Park. Staying at Hawk Dreaming means you’ll have exclusive access to art sites and billabongs teeming with wildlife.
Day 12. Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land
The Gagudju people have given their name to this famous national park, a World Heritage Area, comprising part of the western Arnhem Land plateau and the flood plains of the Alligator Rivers. Australia’s largest national park is 20,000 square kilometres of magnificent scenery: the rivers flow through deep gorges and form great waterfalls. Today you’ll start with an Aboriginal guided Guluyambi cruise along the East Alligator River, and take a walk onto Arnhem Land. This afternoon, your group boards the 4WD for an exceptional Aboriginal cultural and heritage tour into Arnhem Land and Northern Kakadu. Visit places inaccessible to most, including ancient rock art sites. Gain knowledge of traditional land ownership, bush skills, hunting, food gathering and bush tucker preparation.
Day 13. Ubirr Art Site, Windows on the Wetlands, Darwin
Visit the Window on the Wetlands Centre, perched on Beatrice Hill in the Adelaide River Floodplain, before wandering over to the Ubirr Art Site, where you’ll see ancient rock art.
Day 14. Darwin, Litchfield National Park
Undertake a scenic tour of the sights of Darwin and then to beautiful Litchfield National Park. See Florence, Tolmer and Wangi Falls and the unusual Magnetic Termite Mounds. Tour concludes upon return to Darwin this afternoon.
