Limited Tours Itinerary
Land of the Lightning Brother - Aboriginal Australia - 10 day 4WD / Fly
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Darwin - Cobourg Peninsula - Port Essington - Arnhem Land - Oenpelli - Kakadu - Baramundi Falls - Katherine - Wardaman Country - Keep River National Park - Kununurra - El Questro Station
Day 1 Darwin - Cobourg Peninsula
Arrive into Darwin on midday flights. Meet one of your guides and transfer to the charter plane for a scenic flight to the Cobourg Peninsula in Arnhem Land. The National and Marine Park has just been re-named the Garig Ganuk Barlu National Park. (Garig Ganuk Barlu represents "the people, the land and the sea"). The 45-minute flight will take you over the coastal regions, huge tidal river systems such as the Adelaide, South and East Alligator rivers. Upon arrival on the Cobourg Peninsula your expedition leaders will meet and transfer you by four wheel drive vehicle to a permanent safari camp. This evening, watch the sun sink over the most northern tip of the Northern Territory mainland. Dinner tonight will be served in camp.Overnight at the Cobourg Coastal Camp
Meals : DDay 2 Port Essington
After breakfast you'll depart camp by boat and spend today exploring Port Essington. Your destination is the fatal ruins of the Victoria Settlement (1838-1849). An interpretive walk around the settlement gives an insight into how early settlers battled nature in the quest for survival. Time is spent beachcombing, fishing and looking for turtle, dugong, dolphins, crocodiles and many other species of unique marine life. In the mid afternoon you'll return to camp for various afternoon activities. After dinner, it may be possible to go night spotting for turtles. There are six different species of turtle that nest on the Cobourg Peninsula.Overnight at the Cobourg Coastal Camp
Meals : B L DDay 3 Cobourg Peninsula - Oenpelli
After breakfast you'll continue exploring the coastal regions of the Cobourg Peninsula. Cobourg Peninsula protects the first wetlands recognized as a Wetland of International importance under the agreement called "The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance", commonly known as RAMSAR. Bird life is abundant here. After lunch you'll depart by four wheel drive vehicles for Oenpelli (Gunbalanya Community) via Merganella. Oenpelli is home to an Aboriginal operated Arts Centre and Injalak Hill. Injalak, situated in the Stone Country, houses more than fifteen individual galleries, occupation sites and burial sites. There are many "Dreamings" associated with Injalak. Your local Aboriginal guides will interpret them during our visit.Overnight at Oenpelli (possible alternate: Kakadu National Park)
Meals : B L DDay 4 Kakadu National Park
After breakfast your Aboriginal guides will take you to Injalak Hill for a morning of exploration, culture and history depicted in the rock art. Depart Oenpelli for Kakadu National Park. Travel to the Warradjan Aboriginal Culture Centre. Warradjan represents a pig-nosed turtle and the Centre provides detailed information about Aboriginal Culture in Kakadu. Continue to Yellow Waters Billabong where you'll join a sunset cruise. Watch the bird life, spot a croc or two and relax as the sunsets over the floodplains. Depart Cooinda and travel to Mardugal for your overnight.Overnight at Mardugal
Meals : B L DDay 5 Barramundi Falls - Katherine
After breakfast you'll depart Mardugal for Barramundi Falls (Maguk). A 1km walk into the gorge on a formed path takes you to the base of Maguk where there is a large plunge pool ideal for swimming and rich in aquatic life. Continue to Katherine for a re-fueling stop and have a little free time before heading west. Travel to Innesvale Station (Mengen) where you'll meet Bill Harney, a traditional elder of the Wardaman People, who is also a very well known local character. "Born Under The Paperbark Tree" is a book written about Bill's life. Continue to Wardaman Country and Bill's permanent and truly unique bush camp, where you'll spend the night. The giant sized Boab is a main feature! Dinner tonight will be cooked on the BBQ or open fire.Overnight at Bill Harney's permanent bush camp
Meals : B L DDay 6 Wardaman Country
After breakfast you'll travel by four wheel drive vehicle exploring some of the richest occupation, art and rock engraving sites to be found anywhere in the region. Your destination is the site of "The Lightning Brothers." These figures are of major importance to the Wardaman peoples and represent a continuation of their traditional culture. The importance of these paintings will be interpreted for you by your traditional Wardaman guide.Overnight at Bill Harney's Camp
Meals : B L DDay 7 Keep River National Park
After breakfast depart the land of the Lightning Brothers and continue west to Kununurra via Keep River National Park. Spend this afternoon exploring Keep River Gorge (3 -4 km walk). The gorge is approximately 3.5 km long and will take you to a water hole known as Jinumum, which is abundant with flora, fauna, fish, tortoise and a wide variety of birds. Dinner will be cooked on the open fire or BBQ.Overnight at Keep River National Park
Meals : B L DDay 8 Kununurra - El Questro
Depart Keep River for Kununurra. In Kununurra an optional scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle (Purnululu) massif is available, or an optional sightseeing tour of Kununurra for those who do not wish to partake in the scenic flight. Depart Kununurra for El Questro Station. Visit Emby Rocks, once an Aboriginal living shelter.Continue to Emma Gorge and hike into the pristine pool and waterfall that is Emma Gorge. Depart for the hub of El Questro and the Station area where we set up camp.
Dinner tonight will be a BBQ served at El Questro Station. Tonight meet Buddy and Pete, two Aboriginal ringers who will entertain you with their stories.
Overnight: Pentecost River - EL Questro Station
Meals : B L DDay 9 El Questro Station
After breakfast travel to Zebedee Springs, small thermal pools situated in a pocket of lush and tropical Livistonia and Pandanus Palms. Depart Zebedee Springs. Lunch will be served back at camp.This afternoon join the Chamberlain River Cruise. Cruise through this timeless land as your local guide points out Wandjina Aboriginal rock art, bird and wildlife. Dinner tonight will be cooked on the BBQ or over an open fire.
Overnight: Pentecost River - El Questro Station
Meals : B L DDay 10 Kununurra to Darwin or Broome
After breakfast this morning we transfer you into Kununurra for your onward flight to Broome or Darwin.Meals : B
End of North Australian Expeditions Service
Inclusions:
- Private 4WD GXL Landcruiser or similar with professional driver guide
- Purpose built trailer for luggage, food and equipment
- Charter twin aircraft Darwin to Cobourg Peninsula
- Quality camping equipment, tents, swags, sheets, pillows
- All entry, camp and permit fees
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Bill Harney's fees and royalties
- Chamberlain Gorge Cruise
- Kununurra sightseeing
- Meals as stated B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner NM = no meals supplied
- Camping / accommodation as per itinerary
- Flights from Kununurra to Darwin or Broome
- Optional Bungle Bungle heli-flight (approximately AUD $230.00 per person)
- Alcoholic beverage
- Personal items
Cost per person is AUD $ POA nett
The above is subject to availability and road conditions. Cost includes GST and valid until 30 November 2008.
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