Northern Territory Outback, Birding Wildlife & Culture
Duration: 8 days/7 nights with Australia-Naturally Travel
Regions: Kakadu & Arnhem Land, Uluru & Kata Tjuta
Price: From £750 per day*
To book today, please contact:
email: info@australianaturallytravel.com.au
Discover Australia’s most most iconic outback regions with expert guides, combining outstanding wildlife viewing, birdwatching opportunities and unforgettable immersive Aboriginal experiences. Highlights include a three day visit to World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park, one of the finest pristine wilderness reserves in the world, a visit to Arnhem Land to see local artists in action and spectacular traditional rock art with an indigenous guide, exploration of Curtin Springs Station to see raptors and arid-land species and a visit to Kata Tjuta’s spiritual domes and iconic Uluru, the most culturally significant monolith in Australia.
Day 1: Darwin
Arrive into Darwin and take a private transfer to city hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Darwin Central Hotel - King Premier
Day 2: Kakadu
After pickup at 7am from your Darwin accommodation, this adventure commences with a drive south on the Stuart Highway, then the Arnhem Highway that leads to the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park.
Our first stop en route is Fogg Dam Reserve. Fogg Dam has year-round water coverage which assures its position as an important feeding and roosting site for a wide variety of waterbirds & savanna wood-land birds. Here we shall spend the morning looking for different species & enjoy a couple of the small interpretative walks around the Dam. The large expanses provide fantastic opportunities for panoramic photos and capturing Forest and Azure Kingfishers, Magpie Geese, spoonbills, egrets, ibis, herons, Whistling, Black & Brahminy Kites and cormorants.
Our next stop is the incredibly scenic Leaning Tree Lagoon. This Billabong is often covered in water lilies making it a popular stop for photographers & birdwatchers. This is an ideal opportunity to capture the iconic Comb-crested Jacana before enjoying a delicious lunch. We will leave the main road to enter into Kakadu via the Old Darwin Road. On the back road there are a couple of small billabongs. Our last stop for today is at Cooinda. Here we will experience one of Kakadu’s icons, the Yellow Water Cruise.
This 10sq. km pristine environment supports a truly wonderful variety of plants, birds, crocodiles and Top End wildlife. The wildlife on this pristine billabong is too numerous to mention; you will likely encounter Saltwater Crocodiles, the magnificent White-bellied Sea Eagle and many of the other 280 species that call this billabong home. Here we will witness at close hand the wealth of wildlife in this tranquil habitat and enjoy one of the Top Ends great sunsets via a private cruise.
Likely sightings include Magpie Goose, Plumed Whistling-Duck, Radjah Shelduck, Green Pygmy-Goose, Grey Teal, cormorants, Black-necked Storks, Bitterns, herons, egrets, Glossy Ibis, Australian White Ibis, Straw-necked Ibis, Royal Spoonbills, Purple Swamphens, Black-winged Stilts, Australasian Darters, terns, Azure Kingfishers, Forest Kingfishers, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Black & Whistling Kites.
Overnight: Permanent Camp (L, D)
Day 3: Kakadu
This morning at Lord's private camp site, there will be the chance to catch the early morning birds of the savanna woodland. Likely encounters include Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Little Corellas, Black-Faced Cuckoo-shrikes, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrikes, Peaceful Doves, Shining Flycatchers, various honeyeaters, the Blue-winged Kookaburra and hopefully the Great Bowerbird around it's bower.
After breakfast we shall head down to the south end of the Kakadu National Park. The ridges found in the south of Kakadu National Park were formed over 2500 million years ago as a result of volcanic activity. These picturesque ridges divide the woodland areas, with the regions pristine waterfalls and plunge pools a favourite for park visitors. This is the area to be on the lookout for the rare Hooded Parrot and Gouldian Finch.
A one kilometre walk through sub-monsoon rainforest leads to the base of a beautiful plunge pool: Maguk is a scenic and tranquil place to enjoy a refreshing swim in the series of small waterholes that boast crystal clear waters. The group will enjoy a visit to the magnificent Maguk Falls, looking for the Rainbow Pitta, Black-breasted Buzzard & numerous other species. There are also many unique plants in the area including the beautifully coloured Salmon Gum, Freshwater Mangrove, Silver-leafed Paperback and Yellow Bladderwort orchid.
Overnight: Permanent Camp (L, D)
Day 4: Arnhem Land
Today we visit Aboriginal Lands (Arnhem Land) access to this area is restricted to a select group of tour operators. Departing the Northern region of Kakadu National Park, we cross Cahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River and enter Arnhem Land. A 15 kilometre (10 mile) scenic drive to Gunbalanya Aboriginal community provides some of the best driving views in the Top End with floodplains, billabongs & the Arnhem Land escarpment.
This is an ideal environment to encounter the beautifully coloured Rainbow-bee Eaters, Long-tailed Finches, Whistling Kites, various kingfishers along with many waterbirds including Yellow-billed Spoonbills, egrets, ibis, herons and Magpie Geese.
Upon arrival at Gunbalanya the gorup will visit the Injalak Arts and Craft Centre. Here you have the opportunity to meet and watch traditional local artists in action. Established in 1989, Injalak Arts is an Aboriginal organisation supporting the production of quality Aboriginal art. Today, Injalak artists produce authentic art inspired by ancient dreamtime stories, images from the nearby rock art galleries and an unbroken link between the present generation of Kunwinjku people and their ancestors.
This offers an intimate setting to get to know the artist and see first-hand how artworks are created. Gunbalanya is the Aboriginal name for the Oenpelli settlement (which was originally a mission). The area includes the flood plains of the East Alligator River that are covered by water from December to April and a rocky sandstone plateau rising up to 200 metres above the plains.
The stone country of the Arnhem Land plateau was laid down 1650 million years ago and today provide habitat for species such as the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon, Brolga, numerous species of duck, heron, wood-land birds, Black & Brown Falcons, Sandstone Thrush, Channel-billed Cuckoos and Pheasant Coucals.
Return to Darwin. (B, L)
Day 5: Darwin to Alice Springs & Uluru
Guests will take a private transfer to Darwin Airport to board flight to Alice Springs. Guests will enjoy a tour through Alice Springs Desert Park to see various native animals, before boarding the early afternoon flight to Uluru.
After a brief transfer, the adventures will commence through these stunning desert landscapes to the entrance of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. From this point it is only a matter of minutes before the vista of Uluru rises from the sand dunes to demonstrate its enormity and presence across a wonderous continent.
The first stop is a photographic opportunity of this amazing icon before setting off for the journey to see this remarkable landmark up close. At this point, guests will join their guide along the Mala Walk at the base of Uluru to the impressive Kantju Gorge, where a riveting insight will be given into life of the Mala People and the importance of ceremonies. A keen eye may spot reptiles such as the Thorny Devil, Sand Goanna and numerous skinks including the Blue-tongue Lizard.
Further around the base of Uluru on the Kuniya Walk, the Mutitjulu Waterhole will be reached, a semi-permanent watercourse nestled in the contours of Uluru. Here you will learn of the Creation stories of Liru (poisonous snake) and Kuniya (woma python). The waterhole is the perfect backdrop to spot local birdlife including Zebra Finches, Budgerigars, Crimson Chats and Painted Finches and even burrowing frogs after rain.
The group will then adjourn to the new Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area where you will observe an uninterrupted view of Uluru with Kata Tjuta in the background. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine as you watch the sunset from a different perspective away from the crowds. Your guide will then return to your accommodation.
Accommodation: Sails in the Desert - Superior
Day 6: Patji - A True Aboriginal Experience
The special tour will allow guests to join the traditional Uluru Family in their homelands and experience their culture and family history.
After departing Sails in the Desert, guests will venture south of Uluru to the homelands of the Uluru traditional owners, making various stops along the route to hear and experience how life once was and where it is today. Your guide will point out where the original Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park gates once were, with stops at rock water holes to spot local birdlife. Afternoon tea will be served, with time to chat around the fireplace with your Aboriginal guide. The group will learn from the traditional owners themselves on how Paddy Uluru fought for Aboriginal lands rights to where Uluru is today.
The group will traverse across remote bush tracks and take in some spectacular views of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and the desert landscape, finishing off the day with with an unforgettable sunset on a private sand dune overlooking Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Pukulpa ngalya yanama, nganampa ngurakutu... Welcome to our country
Accommodation: Sails in the Desert - Superior
Day 7: Patji - Mt Conner Tour
This quintessential Australian outback experience ventures out to a fully operational privately owned cattle station called Curtin Springs, located 100kms east of Uluru. Exploring this extraordinary environment by 4WD, guests will visit Mt Conner, the third largest rock formation of Central Australia, discover an inland salt lake and learn about the European and cattle history of the region.
This vast outback property is home to a wide range of local wildlife including birds of prey such as Whistling Kites, Nankeen Kestrels, Black-breasted Buzzards and Brown Falcons, Camels, Red Kangaroos, Parrots, Emus and Dingos. Guests will be eager to share stories of the day during a magical sunset, whilst enjoying a glass of sparkling wine and three course meal back at the homestead.
Accommodation: Sails in the Desert - Superior
Day 8: Kata Tjuta
After an early morning pickup, guests will travel 40 kilometres towards the mighty rock formation of Kata Tjuta, to experience the best vantage point for the 36 domes that comprise this most spiritual place.
Once the magical sight of the sun’s morning glow upon the desert is taken in, the group will make their way to the western side of Kata Tjuta, for the opportunity to relax and enjoy an outback picnic breakfast. Upon approaching the entrance to Walpa Gorge, named for the wind (Walpa) that whistles between the massive domes that shape Kata Tjuta, the result of eons of weathering and continual upheaval, the expert guide will share the significance of the men’s sacred ceremonial site.
Insights will also be given into the formation of the mighty conglomerate rock walls and how they have evolved over millions of years. This rocky terrain is home to many desert reptiles, insects and birds including Nankeen Kestrels and Whistling Kites that may be nesting in the rock crevices high above.
At the conclusion of this tour, guests will depart for Ayers Rock Airport.
To book today, please contact:
email: info@australianaturallytravel.com.au
*Rates are per person, twin share based on 2 people travelling. Costs valid to 31 March 2019 – and subject to availability at time of booking. Tour can operate between April to mid-October – subject to availability. All transfers and tours are private. No airfares included.