Kakadu, Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands - Departs 31st August 2021 - a - Blue Dot Travel
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a
Kakadu,
Arnhem Land
and the
Tiwi Islands
Departs 31st August 2021
Itinerary correct as at Mar 6, 2021, but subject to change. www.bluedottravel.com.au
$7,990 pp Twin-share Flights to and from Darwin not included Single supp $2,850 KAKADU, ARNHEM LAND AND THE TIWI ISLANDS The Northern Territory's Top End is a world apart from the rest of Australia. The landscapes are vast and awe-inspiring, the wildlife is prolific and the indigenous soul of the area is unmistakable. There is something intangible about the way travel feels in this remote part of the country. Our Top End tour allows you to experience the best the region has to offer. We launch off in Darwin, Australia’s Northernmost capital, and travel to Katherine, known for its spectacular gorges and rock formations which shift colour in the changing light. We visit the iconic Kakadu National Park, World Heritage-listed as both a cultural and natural sanctuary. In these stunning natural settings, you will certainly get the feeling that human beings are secondary to all the wild beauty. Beyond the grand landscapes, the heart and soul of the Top End is the indigenous population that calls it home. Arnhem Land is a remote slice of Australian wilderness and an Aboriginal homeland of great spiritual power. Visitor access is limited, and we provide a special opportunity to stay on the Amurdak people’s land, learning about their traditions and ancient art “galleries”. The Tiwi Islands, often referred to as the islands of smiles, is another unique indigenous community known for its traditional lifestyle, stunning artworks and vibrant fabrics. Whilst most travellers visit on a day trip from Darwin, we'll really immerse ourselves in the culture by staying amongst the community for two nights. Our 10 day Top End itinerary is a captivating mix of epic landscapes and warm cultural experiences. Itinerary correct as at Mar 6, 2021, but subject to change. www.bluedottravel.com.au
Day 1, Monday 6th September crosshatching because the technique involves the
Darwin application of many parallel lines. After lunch at
your leisure, there’ll be time to relax and enjoy the
Welcome to Darwin!
stunning surroundings at Cicada Lodge, before our
A former frontier outpost and the gateway to
sunset dinner cruise along Katherine River. With its
Kakadu National Park. Our airport transfer will meet
abundant waterways, gorges and waterfalls, this
the group at Darwin airport at 2 pm, for those
region is where the outback meets the tropics.
arriving later it is an easy taxi ride to our hotel. Your
Marvel at the dramatic scenery while you spot
afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the laid back,
wildlife and learn about the history and culture of
tropical atmosphere of Australia’s Northernmost
the local Jawoyn people. Enjoy the peaceful
capital. This evening, meet your fellow travellers for
ambience during our candle-lit three course dinner
a welcome dinner and drink along Darwin
cooked onboard your boat. B/D
Waterfront. D
Day 4, Friday 3rd September
Day 2,
Katherine - Jabiru
Wednesday 1st
September This morning we’ll visit Nourlangie to see its
Darwin - fascinating Aboriginal rock art. We’ll hear a detailed
Katherine interpretation of
the art and the
This morning
rich Aboriginal
we’ll visit the
culture as we
Adelaide River
explore the
War Memorial.
various outdoor
During WWII,
‘galleries' with
Adelaide River was the headquarters to a large
rock paintings
military base and a large cemetery was created
dating back
especially for those who gave their lives in the
some 20,000
service and defence of their country. We'll continue
years. Our next
our journey towards Katherine and the Nitmiluk
stop is
National Park, stopping en route at the gorgeous
Australia’s largest National Park – Kakadu. World
Edith Falls. There'll be time for a relaxing dip, and a
Heritage-listed as both a cultural and natural
bite at a local café before we arrive at Cicada
sanctuary, Kakadu National Park is an Australian
Lodge in the afternoon. Indulge in five-star luxury,
icon. The famous Yellow Waters Billabong boat
at this stunning architect designed eco-lodge
cruise will be a highlight of our journey today. We’ll
surrounded by nature, where each room has a
see a myriad of different bird species, spot
private balcony that opens to the glories of Nitmiluk
estuarine crocodiles and simply enjoy the stunning
National Park. Cool off from the heat of the day with
billabong and floodplains system. We’ll arrive at
a swim in the pool as the sun sets before a
Cooinda Lodge in the afternoon with time to relax,
beautiful dinner with wine. B/D
enjoy its laid back atmosphere and perhaps a
Day 3, Thursday 2nd September swim. We’ll share a casual al fresco dinner tonight
Katherine at the lodge. B/D
This morning we’ll meet Manual Pamkal who will Day 5,
welcome us with a traditional welcoming tune on Saturday 4th
the didgeridoo. Manual was born and raised September
immersed in his rich traditional culture. He’ll share Jabiru -
with us stories of Arnhem Land
growing up in
This morning
the bush and
we’ll fly from
teach us the fine
Jabiru Airport
art of rarrk
to Mt
painting using a
Boradaille, the
special brush
gateway to
from a reed
Arnhem Land, one of Australia’s last wilderness
called Julk.
areas and an Aboriginal homeland of great spiritual
Rarrk (or
power. It's home to the traditional landowners, the
crosshatching) is
Yolngu people and with visitor numbers limited, it is
a style of
a truly special place to visit. We will be staying at
painting particular to the north eastern Northern
Davidson's Arnhem Land Safaris which is owned
Territory originally created using native grasses, but
and managed by its traditional custodians, the
now with brushes. It is also known as
Amurdak people, whose inhabitation of the area
Itinerary correct as at Mar 6, 2021 but subject to change. www.bluedottravel.com.au
dates back 50,000 years. It sits on a landscape of Day 8, Tuesday 7th September
rugged ranges fringed by idyllic billabongs, flood Tiwi Islands
plains, paperbark swamps and monsoonal
Visiting Tiwi Island Retreat is a truly unforgettable
rainforests; an incredibly beautiful wilderness area.
experience, and you’ll really get the feeling of being
After an orientation, we’ll enjoy dinner at Mt
away from it all. Things move at a slower pace
Borradaile's dining room, the social hub of the
here, and we’ll arrange the day based on the
lodge and a great place to wind down after a day of
preferences of our group. A stay at the retreat
sightseeing. B/L/D
includes access to a range of unique experiences,
Day 6, Sunday from outback adventures to world-renowned fishing
5th September and local indigenous art. The ecosystem around
Arnhem Land the retreat is virtually untouched with turtles,
Safari Lodge crocodiles, stingrays, mud crabs, dolphins, sharks
and an abundance of birdlife right on the doorstep.
Arnhem Land is
A truly special little corner of the world! B/L/D
a living
breathing Day 9,
classroom Wednesday 8th
where every September
creature, from Tiwi Islands -
the tiny termite Darwin
to the mighty crocodile, has a lesson to teach us.
This morning
This morning we’ll discover galleries of aboriginal
we’ll cross the
rock art that show stories from more recent times of
Island to
aboriginal contact with other cultures, with a local
Wurrumiyanga,
guide. We’ll return to the lodge for lunch and time
where we’ll meet
to relax in the pool before heading out again in the
a local guide. We’ll explore the progressive,
afternoon. We’ll visit another culturally significant
modern day community of Wurrumiyanga and learn
site to learn about the variety of techniques used in
about the rich cultural history of the area. The Tiwi
the rock paintings, with the styles changing over
people are famous for their art, and everywhere
the thousands of years of occupation and
you look you’ll see art decorating the buildings - on
storytelling. We’ll end the day with a cruise along
schools, carved burial poles and even adorning the
the billabong, watching the sun set over the
altar of the white wooden church. At the local arts
floodplain, and Mt Borradaile light up with
and crafts centre there are local artists at work;
magnificent colours, as we enjoy a glass of wine
watch them paint, weave, sculpt and carve and
and nibbles. B/L/D
learn the story behind their distinctive pieces. We’ll
Day 7, return to Darwin in the late afternoon where your
Monday 6th evening is free to enjoy your last night in the Top
September End. Share our memories of the trip over a farewell
Arnhemland dinner at the hotel tonight. B/L/D
- Darwin -
Day 10, Thursday 9th September
Tiwi Islands
Darwin
After
Our journey through the Top End concludes this
breakfast,
morning after breakfast. Our group airport transfer
we’ll say
is scheduled to coincide with flights departing at
goodbye to
1:20 pm from Darwin. For other flight departures, it
Arnhem Land
is an easy taxi ride to the airport. B
and fly from Mt Borradaile, via Darwin, to Bathurst
Island and travel to the Tiwi Island Retreat. The
retreat is located on one of the world’s most remote
destinations, the South West coast of Bathurst
Island. Often referred to as the islands of smiles,
the Tiwi Islands are a destination like no other. The
people on Tiwi Islands are famous for their
traditional lifestyle, stunning artworks, vibrant
fabrics and textiles, plus an exuberant passion for
football. Whilst many people only visit on a day trip
from Darwin, we have the opportunity to truly
immerse ourselves in the culture by staying for the
next two nights. B/L/D
Itinerary correct as at Mar 6, 2021 but subject to change. www.bluedottravel.com.au
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