Remote Kakadu Glamping

This morning your driver will collect you from your accommodation (8.00am) and you will make your way south on the Stuart Highway and then head east on the Arnhem Highway that leads into World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. Your first stop en route is Fogg Dam Reserve. Year-round water assures the dam’s location as an important feeding and roosting site for a wide variety of both water birds and other animals.

Continue to the Mary River wetlands for your airboat safari; a truly unique experience which takes you where no one else can go. Travel through the seemingly endless floodplains of the Mary River Wetlands system spotting crocodiles and countless birds on one of these fleet flat-bottomed watercraft which appear to hover above the blanket of lilies and reeds amidst this most beautiful natural setting.

Later, enter the national park itself via the Old Darwin Road. Your last stop for today is at Cooinda to experience one of Kakadu’s favourite activities - the iconic Yellow Water Cruise. This 10 square kilometre pristine environment supports a truly wonderful variety of plants, birds, crocodiles and Top End wildlife. Keep an eye out for resident ‘salties’, the jacana (or lilytrotter) walking on water, magnificent sea eagles or any one of the many other 280 species that call this billabong home. Observe up close the wealth of wildlife in this tranquil habitat and enjoy one of the Top End’s great sunsets.

Permanent Bush Camp | LD

Head to the southern end of Kakadu where the first stop is a pristine waterfall, Gunlom. Its white sandy beach and 120m cascading falls provide an incredible photo opportunity. For the more adventurous, a challenging walk to the top of the falls is rewarded with a swim in a natural infinity pool with views for miles overlooking the South Alligator Valley.

Later, a one kilometre walk through sub-monsoon rainforest leads you to a waterhole known as Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). This tranquil place is the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters or a shower under the cascading torrent. After drying off, return once more to your bush camp

Permanent Bush Camp | BLD

Today you are invited into Arnhem Land where privileged access is given to traditional Aboriginal lands. Departing the northern region of Kakadu National Park, cross the East Alligator River at Cahill’s Crossing and enter Arnhem Land. A 15 kilometre scenic drive to Gunbalanya Aboriginal community provides some of the best views in the Top End with floodplains, billabongs and the Arnhem Land escarpment stretching away into the distance.

At Gunbalanya, start off with a visit to the Injalak Arts and Craft Centre where you have the unique opportunity to meet and watch traditional local artists painting, wood carving and basket weaving. Established in 1989, Injalak Arts is an important organisation supporting the production of authentic art and craft 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.

Your journey ends with a return to Darwin.

BL

• This adventure demands agility as there are no formed pathways or handrails. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
• Access to Arnhem Land is by invitation from the local Aboriginal people. The traditional owners may deny access at any time.