Arnhem Land Adventure - The Ghan Expedition

DAY ONE

NHULUNBUY (GOVE)

Your 13-day Arnhem Land Wilderness Adventure commences with a flight from Cairns to Nhulunbuy. On arrival in Nhulunbuy you will be greeted by your friendly and professional Tour Director. This afternoon you’ll explore this frontier village, which came into existence in the 1960’s after the discovery of Bauxite on the Gove Peninsula. Visit the Roy (Malpi) Marika Lookout for incredible views towards the coast, Gayngaru Wetlands and Gove Harbour before settling in for a two-night stay at the Walkabout Lodge. Please note: The walk to Nhulunbuy Hill look out is 64 steps (3 storeys). (D)

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Walkabout Lodge

DAY TWO

GOVE PENINSULA

The Gove Peninsula has been home to Yolngu people for over 60,000 years and is one of the most culturally significant regions in Australia. You will get a true sense of this with a special ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony at Wirrwawuy Beach, where you will learn about Yolngu culture and kinship firsthand. We will also visit the
Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre, which features works by many renowned Aboriginal artists whose art (particularly those painted on bark) can be found in galleries all over the world. The gallery is in the small community of Yirrkala, which is where the Aboriginal Land Rights movement started, when the ‘bark petition’ was sent to Federal Parliament in 1963. From the art centre it is a short stroll to Shady Beach, where we will have lunch followed by a special Bush Medicine and Women’s Healing demonstration, where we will experience traditional healing ways and hear stories of how the Yolngu people live and heal on their land. Return to Nhulunbuy late this afternoon for your second night at the Walkabout Lodge. (B,L,D)

DAY THREE

MURWANGI

Today, your journey into the heart of Arnhem Land begins. Departing Nhulunbuy, we follow the Central Arnhem Road south-west to the Goyder River, the main tributary flowing into the massive Arafura Swamp. Enjoy a picnic lunch before taking a track to the north, which follows an escarpment before descending to the Arafura floodplains. This area, known as ‘Murwangi’, is the site of your exclusive safari camp where we will be staying for the next two nights. Check in to your deluxe safari suite before dinner in the lodge dining room. (B,L,D)

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Murwangi Safari Camp

DAY FOUR

ARAFURA SWAMP AND MURWANGI DISCOVERY TOUR

The Arafura Swamp is one of the largest wooded swamps in Australia, covering approximately 1,300 square kilometers. This incredibly diverse wetland can support up to 300,000 waterbirds at any one time, including Magpie Geese, Egrets, Black-necked Storks and Brolgas. The swamp is of great cultural significance to the Yolngu people and was also the location for the 2006 film ‘Ten Canoes’. We’ll take a tranquil cruise on the main lagoon, followed by a 4WD adventure around the edge of the swamp. For both activities you will be accompanied by Indigenous guides who will explain why this spectacular area is so significant. Later this afternoon we return to camp for a little free time before dinner. (B,L,D)

DAY FIVE

RAMINGINING TO BARRAMUNDI LODGE

This morning head into Ramingining for a visit to Bula’bula Art Centre. Here you can chat with local artists and watch them paint. There is also the opportunity to purchase artwork if so desired. After morning tea at the Art Centre, we head further west towards Maningrida. To get there, we will cross the Blyth and Cadell Rivers, arriving at Barramundi Lodge early in the afternoon. The lodge is one of the most recognised fishing destinations in Australia. With special permission from the Traditional Owners, the lodge has exclusive fishing licenses for numerous remote waterways, including the Tomkinson and Liverpool Rivers. Fishing aside, the lodge features 12 beautiful safari suites and a restaurant overlooking the floodplains below. After lunch on the lodge deck, you will hear a familiarisation talk from the lodge managers. You are then free to settle into your safari suite, with the remainder of the afternoon yours to relax, soaking up the stunning view of the floodplains. (B,L,D)

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge

DAY SIX

FISHING ADVENTURE AND CULTURAL TOUR

This morning, an exclusive fishing adventure on the Liverpool and Tomkinson Rivers is one the agenda. These pristine waterways are teeming with Barramundi. The expert fishing guides will take you to wherever the fish are biting aboard our sturdy Ocean Master vessels, the pinnacle for remote marine adventures, featuring an onboard restroom and shade canopy. Today’s fishing adventure is also a wilderness tour, so if fishing is not your thing, you will still enjoy the beautiful scenery, birdlife and informative commentary. In the afternoon, we visit Maningrida Arts and Cultural Centre and the Djomi Museum for immersion in the culture and spiritual richness of the area. Later this afternoon, enjoy a sunset drink on the deck before dinner and share stories about the one that got away! (B,L,D)

DAY SEVEN

MANINGRIDA TO MOUNT BORRADAILE

Departing Maningrida after breakfast, our travels take us through the stone country of west Arnhem Land. We’ll cross the Goomadeer and Liverpool Rivers before arriving at the turnoff to Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris, Mount Borradaile. From here, we travel along a 40km sandy bush track into the safari lodge, arriving in time for lunch. You will then check-in to your eco-friendly cabin, your home for the next two nights. This afternoon the team at Mount Borradaile will take you through 40,000 years of Aboriginal culture in a truly awe- inspiring landscape. The area contains some of the most stunning rock art galleries in the world. In terms of artistic quality, quantity, colourfulness, and state of preservation, it is virtually unrivalled. The walls of the many rock shelters are decorated with innumerable pictures, documenting traditional Aboriginal life over thousands of years. Subjects range from now extinct animals to 20th century sailing ships and the creator Rainbow Serpent. We will return to the lodge in the afternoon, before dinner. (B,L,D)

OVERNIGHT: 2 nights Mount Borradaile

DAY EIGHT

MOUNT BORRADAILE

Today we jump into the open-back Toyotas and continue exploring the wonderland that is Mount Borradaile. Visit the ancient ‘catacombs’, where the sandstone has been eroded by wind and water over 600 million years resulting in a massive cave system that is full of incredible Aboriginal art. Learn about the variety of techniques used in rock paintings as the styles changed over thousands of years of occupation and storytelling. You will also wander through various occupation sites and view a range of artefacts from when these sites were in use. After lunch, it’s time to explore the incredible wetlands of the Cooper Creek. Admire the prolific birdlife, along with the massive crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks as you discover lagoons that seem to have slipped out of a story book. As the sun seeks the horizon and sets over the floodplain, enjoy a drink and nibbles before returning to the lodge for our final night with Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris. (B,L,D)

Please note: The walk at Mount Borradaile is 3.5km with some rocks to climb.

DAY NINE

COBOURG PENINSULA TO SEVEN SPIRIT BAY

Departing Mount Borradaile early, we head north and venture into the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula. We’ll travel up the eastern side of Port Essington to Black Point to meet the marine crew from Seven Spirit Bay. Here, we’ll board the lodge’s custom- made adventure craft for the short transfer across Port Essington. Upon arriving at the lodge, you will be allocated your room for the next three nights, a luxurious ‘habitat’ set amongst native tropical forest. We meet again later in the evening for dinner in the lodge’s restaurant. (B,L,D)

OVERNIGHT: 3 nights Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge

DAY TEN

PORT ESSINGTON AND THE HISTORIC VICTORIA SETTLEMENT

Today, we’ll explore Port Essington aboard the lodge's specially designed vessel 'MV Arafura'. Departing Seven Spirit Bay, we retrace the course of the early mariner’s square riggers, passing landmarks like Gunners Quoin, Low Point, Turtle Rock, Observation Cliff, and Record Point on our way to the historic Victoria Settlement. Surveyed in 1838, Victoria Settlement was the third attempt by the British at a northern settlement, after Fort Dundas on Melville Island and Fort Wellington at Raffles Bay. Conceived to facilitate trade with Asia, the settlement consisted of 24 houses and a hospital. Disease was rampant and living conditions poor, leading to its abandonment in 1849. Upon your arrival at Victoria Settlement, you will take a fascinating tour of the old buildings and ruins and learn about life in the early British occupation. An optional extension walk leads to a few lonely gravestones in the forest, almost forgotten by history. After a picnic lunch on the beach you will return to the water to enjoy a leisurely cruise back to Seven Spirit Bay. The waters of the Cobourg Marine Park are alive, so keep your eyes out for dolphins, dugong, manta rays and crocodiles. Back at Seven Spirit Bay, the remainder of the afternoon can be spent at your leisure. Perhaps take a dip in the palm-fringed swimming pool, or just relax in your luxurious habitat before enjoying sunset drinks on the veranda and dinner in the restaurant. (B,L,D)

Please note: The walk at Victoria Settlement is a flat 3.7km in the sun along a downhill slope.

DAY ELEVEN

FISHING AND 4WD ADVENTURE

The Cobourg Marine Park abounds with barramundi, Spanish mackerel, golden trevally, and coral trout, to name just a few. After breakfast, we board the lodge's state-of- the-art fishing vessels for an exclusive half-day fishing adventure in Port Essington. Featuring an onboard restroom, shade canopy and comfortable seating, each boat takes only six people, so everyone will have the equal chance to reel something in. Seven Spirit Bay's fishing guides are true professionals with intimate knowledge of the marine park. They will take you to the best fishing spots and share their marine sanctuary expertise and you can admire some of the most spectacular coastline to be found in northern Australia. Our guides fish these waters regularly and have up-to-date knowledge of the potential sites that are producing fish, giving you the best chance of success. Barramundi is just one of the species we target. You may have the opportunity to wrestle with an arm-stretching trevally or black jewfish. A mix of small meandering creeks, mangrove-lined bays, rocky outcrops, and deeper water “bommies” mean there is nearly always something to be found somewhere. Once you have tested your luck, we will make our way to a sheltered beach landing at Low Point where we disembark and rendezvous with the lodge's chef for a delicious BBQ bush lunch under a shady tree. After lunch, take a 4WD safari to appreciate the wonders of Garig Gunak Barlu National Park. First up is a visit to the stunning Nypa Palm gallery (Nypa Fruticans), one of only three locations in Australia where they can be found (the others are Melville Island and the Wenlock River). A short drive further brings us to the upper reaches of Trepang Creek, one of many creeks that are a mix of spring- fed and tidally influenced systems that help provide nourishment to the marine life of the park. Next, you will explore the savannah woodlands of the park, potentially spotting Banteng and Buffalo and gaining some insight into the varied coastal habitats, before a visit to Gunners Quoin lookout. Return to the lodge late afternoon for your third and final evening at Seven Spirit Bay. (B,L,D)

DAY TWELVE

FAREWELL TO SEVEN SPIRIT BAY

This morning, we depart for the airstrip and board our Cessna Grand Caravan for the 45-minute scenic flight across Van Diemen Gulf. Upon arriving in Darwin in the afternoon, we head to the city to check in to the Hilton Garden Inn Darwin located on the picturesque esplanade. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure before boarding the Charles Darwin for a delicious Territory-style sunset dinner cruise to celebrate a truly amazing trip. There is no better way to experience Darwin's renowned sunsets than from onboard the Charles Darwin. (B,L,D)

OVERNIGHT: 1 night Hilton Garden Inn Darwin

DAY THIRTEEN

BOARD THE GHAN EXPEDITION IN DARWIN

Settle in to the comforts of The Ghan, relax in your cabin or mingle with fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge. Enjoy lunch ahead of your Off Train Experience in Katherine. In a region renowned for jaw-dropping natural assets, Katherine boasts one of the Top End’s best – the incredible Nitmiluk Gorge.

OVERNIGHT: 3 nights The Ghan (B,L,D)

DAY FOURTEEN

THE GHAN EXPEDITION, ALICE SPRINGS

Your arrival into Alice Springs after breakfast provides you with time to explore the iconic town in the red heart of Australia. Prepare for a day of fascinating Off Train Experiences and, in the evening, dine under a million stars at the historic Telegraph Station (B,L,D)

DAY FIFTEEN

THE GHAN EXPEDITION, COOBER PEDY

When you next disembark in remote Manguri, you’ll enjoy a full day exploring the amazing opal mining township of Coober Pedy. (B,L,D)

DAY SIXTEEN

THE GHAN EXPEDITION, ADELAIDE

After completing the famous north-south crossing of the interior you will arrive into Adelaide. (B)

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