ACCOMODATION: Cooinda Lodge (2 Nights)

Day 1: Wildlife and Cultural Centre
The first stop of this tour is Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve, a vast, open wetland area that is home to large numbers of colourful birds during our Top End dry season (May – September). After crossing the Marrakai plains and Adelaide River,  you will join a small group scenic cruise around the picturesque Corroboree billabong, viewing a large variety of wetland birds and, of course, the mighty saltwater crocodile. After the cruise, the tour will lead into Kakadu National Park, where you will have ample opportunity to view bird and wildlife at numerous waterholes along the way and visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

DAY 1  (M,L)

Day 2: Rock art and plunge pools
On the second day, the tour starts at Nanguluwur rock art and Aboriginal occupation sites. The Nanguluwur site is a hidden gem away from tourist crowds and has some excellent examples of rock art, including the rare and ancient ‘dynamic figures’, ‘x-ray’ style art and the so-called ‘contact period’ art which came to be when Aboriginal people had first contact with white man. In the afternoon the tour will head to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). At the end of a monsoonal forest walk, you can enjoy a swim in a refreshing, natural plunge pool with a beautiful, perennial waterfall cascading above you.

DAY 2  (B,M,L)

Day 3: Cultural cruise and Arnhem views
In the morning the tour will head further north along the Magela Wetlands, following the escarpment to join an Aboriginal guided cultural cruise on East Alligator River where you will enjoy fantastic views of the Arnhem Escarpment and learn many aspects of local Aboriginal culture. After the cruise, the tour passes onto Arnhem Land (with special permission of the traditional owners) and visit a small Aboriginal community called Gunbalanya, where you will meet Aboriginal artists and weavers and watch them at work. This is an excellent opportunity to purchase genuine Aboriginal art and craft at wholesale prices (although please note, you are under no pressure to buy). After lunch, the tour will slowly journey back to Darwin with an afternoon break at the Bark Hut Inn before arriving back in Darwin.