Your journey starts in Darwin when you depart for a private guided tour of the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. En route visit the Adelaide River Wetlands and Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve before joining a morning cruise on the picturesque Corroboree Billabong. Travel along the old Jim Jim Road visiting White Lily Billabong before arriving at Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). Enjoy a scenic 1km walk along the edge of Barramundi Creek before arriving at the base of Barramundi Falls. Here you have the opportunity to swim or snorkel in the large plunge pool below the falls and discover an array of aquatic life.
Depart Maguk late afternoon for Nawalandja lookout. A short climb takes us up the sloping sandstone to provide views of the sun setting across Anbangbang Billabong, Nourlangie Rock and the Arnhem Land escarpment. Depart after sunset for Jabiru and the Lake View Bush Bungalows, which is your accommodation for tonight.
Today you travel from Jabiru to the northern region of Kakadu National Park to Cahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River and enter Arnhem Land. A 15 km scenic drive to Gunbalanya Aboriginal community provides some of the best driving views in the Top End with floodplains covered in bird life and water lilies running up alongside the Arnhem Land escarpment.
Upon arrival at Gunbalanya you will visit the Injalak Arts and Craft Centre. Here you have the opportunity to meet and watch traditional local artists in action before departing with our Aboriginal guide to be shown around the Injalak Hill art sites. Spend the morning experiencing some of the best Aboriginal rock art in Australia before returning to the Injalak Art Centre where we leave our hosts and journey on to the Cobourg Peninsula where you will arrive at your camp.
The next day is spent exploring the Northern Territory’s only Marine Park by boat. Cobourg is abundant in some amazing marine life including six of the seven species of marine turtle, manta rays, dolphins, sharks, crocodiles, mud crabs and plenty of fish. As you cruise the Marine Park, stop and visit the Victoria Settlement ruins. Depart the settlement and enjoy a slow journey back to camp stopping along the way to spot marine life and do some fishing. Return to camp late afternoon where you can explore the nearby beaches and creek systems, try your luck at fishing or simply enjoy the solitude while reading a book from a hammock overlooking the ocean. Tonight enjoy a freshly caught seafood dinner.
On your third day, explore the eastern side of the Park this time by 4WD. Cobourg is home to the first RAMSAR wetland (wetlands of international importance) in the world with freshwater paperbark swamps and billabongs 100m from the coastline. Continue on via the northern beaches, commonly used as turtle nesting areas and covered in a wide range of shells. Low tide provides opportunities to explore exposed coral reefs and rock pools which are home to a variety of marine life. After lunch you will have an opportunity to go hunting for mud crabs using traditional Aboriginal methods. Learn how to hunt and gather these local delicacies before having a go yourself. This afternoon we will also visit the Park’s Cultural and Information Centre before making our way back towards camp.
Watersports
This morning depart Cobourg early and enjoy the bush scenery of Arnhem Land as you make your way back to Kakadu National Park. Enjoy lunch next to the banks of the mighty East Alligator River. After lunch visit Ubirr Rock where you spend time viewing some of Kakadu’s best Aboriginal rock art. A short walk to the top of Ubirr offers spectacular views of the surrounding wetlands and stone country.
Depart Ubirr to Darwin stopping en route to visit the Mamukala wetlands, which at times is a haven for thousands of Magpie Geese as well as many other species of native birds and reptiles. Arrive in Darwin approximately 7:00pm for a well-earned rest at the Skycity Darwin for the night.
This morning you fly to Kununurra then connect with your charter flight direct to Berkeley River Lodge for three nights. In one of the world’s last true wilderness areas, between Timor Sea sunrises and Berkeley River sunsets, the ultimate Kimberley adventure and refined indulgence awaits. Only accessible by air or sea, getting to The Berkeley is half the adventure. From your ocean-view villa, floating atop the coastal dune, a whole world of little-known natural treasures unfolds before you. Stroll to secluded beaches. Cruise through majestic gorges. Heli-fish hidden gems.
Twenty luxury villas are perfectly positioned along a 65-metre-high dune to command 180-degree panoramas sweeping from Joseph Bonaparte Gulf to Reveley Island, or from the mouth of the Berkeley River to its rugged red gorges beyond. To ensure guests enjoy the best of the Berkeley’s many extraordinary landscapes and experiences, all land and water-based activities, including scenic river and coastal cruises, bush and beach 4WD tours, guided walks and fishing tours are included in your stay.
After breakfast you take a private charter flight to El Questro. Over 1 million acres in size, El Questro is located in Western Australia’s untamed Kimberley region and extends for approximately 80 kilometres into its heart, most of which has never been explore. It is one of Australia’s last true frontiers.
El Questro Homestead, sits amid a cool oasis shaded by palm trees and tropical greenery, perched atop an escarpment that plummets into the Chamberlain River. There are just eight guest rooms and one luxurious suite in the sprawling homestead, the interior design taking its cues from the environment, embracing rustic Australian furnishings. El Questro Homestead has become a by-word for absolute luxury within the Australian wilds. Located in the heart of the beautiful, forbidding Kimberley, The Homestead is an exclusive retreat open to just 18 guests.
El Questro tours and activities form an integral part of every visit to the property. The homestead offers a wide range of complimentary excursions that provide opportunities to fully immerse yourself in the natural attractions of the Wilderness Park.
Enjoy your last morning at El Questro Homestead before transferring by road to Kununurra to connect with your onward flight.
