Gunlom waterfall, Kakadu National Park, Northern territories, Australia

Arnhem Land and Kakadu

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

8 Days

Prices Start from

£4,695pp(ex. flights)

Australia is a vast country with some truly spectacular scenery, untouched by man for millennia. The Northern Territories and in particular Arnhem Land is one of these areas.

This holiday to Australia offers the chance to access a land and culture that few are privileged to experience, exploring by luxury 4WD and boat and staying at some wonderful safari-style camps. This part of Australia, probably more than any other, offers true adventure and the chance to set foot where few others have. Outstanding guides ensure a magical insight into this spectacular region which is rich in wildlife, culture and epic landscapes. End your trip at Bamurru Plains, one of our favourite lodges, where it is possible to relax by the pool as buffalo meander past on the edge of the floodplains.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

4WD vehicle parked next to a towering termite nest. 1

Remote and Exclusive Landscapes

Travel in top model land cruisers with knowledgeable guides gaining access to areas normally off limits, far from other tourists.

Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia 2

Kakadu National Park

Explore the ever changing, far reaching landscapes of Kakadu, from gorges to waterfalls and billabongs, wetlands, swamps and sandy beaches.

Ubirr rock art Kakadu- Northern Territories Australia 3

Aboriginal Experiences

Gain privileged access to remote 2,000-year-old Aboriginal rock-art galleries at Ubirr, one of Kakadu’s most sacred sites.

Bamurru Plains Pool, Mary River, Kakadu, Northern Territories, Australia 4

Stay at Bamurru Plains

Stay at Bamurru Plains an exclusive safari camp on the edge of the Mary River floodplains.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Darwin (Adina Apartments)

  • Day 2

    Darwin - Fogg Dam Reserve - Kakadu National Park (Lords Private Tented Camp)

  • Day 3

    Kakadu - Arnhem Land (Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris Lodge)

  • Day 4

    Arnhem Land (Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris Lodge)

  • Day 5

    Arnhem Land - Mary River (Bamurru Plains)

  • Day 6

    Mary River (Bamurru Plains)

  • Day 7

    Mary River - Darwin (Adina Apartments)

  • Day 8

    Depart Darwin

Day 1

Darwin (Adina Apartments)

Arrive into Darwin and transfer to your accommodation.

Day 2

Darwin - Fogg Dam Reserve - Kakadu National Park (Lords Private Tented Camp)

Venture into the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park via the magnificent Fogg Dam Reserve, wetlands fringed by rainforest – a birdwatchers paradise. Visit Leaning Tree Lagoon, a billabong often covered in water lilies before entering Kakadu stopping to walk to a beautiful waterfall and crystal clear plunge pool for a swim.

Day 3

Kakadu - Arnhem Land (Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris Lodge)

Cross the East Alligator River and enter Arnhem Land. The scenic drive to the Gunbalanya Aboriginal community provides incredible views, with floodplains, billabongs and the Arnhem Land escarpment. Continue into Mikinj Valley to see some amazing rock art and more epic views. Later, visit the Injalak Arts and Craft Centre to meet and watch traditional local artists in action.

Day 4

Arnhem Land (Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris Lodge)

Explore Aboriginal art and take billabong cruises and wetlands exploration to spot some of the resident wildlife including wallabies, flying foxes, crocodiles, dingos, and many birds.

Day 5

Arnhem Land - Mary River (Bamurru Plains)

Travel to Bamurru Plains, located on the magnificent Mary River floodplains and surrounded by savannah woodland.

Day 6

Mary River (Bamurru Plains)

Choose from of a variety of activities, from airboat rides to a four wheel drive safaris.

Day 7

Mary River - Darwin (Adina Apartments)

Before returning to Darwin by light aircraft or overland, take a leisurely breakfast whilst listening to he morning chorus of tens of thousands of Magpie Geese, after whom the camp is named.

Day 8

Depart Darwin

Depart Darwin for onward travel.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Australian Saltwater Crocodile, The Kimberley, Western Australia
Saltwater crocodile

Wildlife of the Northern Territories

The floodplains, mangroves, swamps and coast of the Northern Territories are incredibly rich in wildlife, with bird species ranging from raptors to parrots, passerines and water birds, often congregating in huge numbers. Also expect to see various species of wallaby, flying foxes, dingos, monitor lizard and the ever present crocodile.

 

 

Kakadu National Park, Northern Territories, Australia
Kakadu National Park, Australia

Waterfalls, Rock Art and Panoramas

Encompassing around 20,000 square kilometres Kakadu National Park is a protected area which is co-managed by its native Aboriginal owners. Far reaching spectacular scenery ranges from floodplains to rivers, rugged escarpments, cascading waterfalls, mangroves and lily covered billabongs. Prehistoric rock art dates back over 20,000 years and Kakadu is also home to over 10,000 crocodiles, 280 different bird species and a host of other flora and fauna. It really is a magical place to visit.

Far reaching view stood under overhanging rock covered in aboriginal rock art.
Aboriginal rock art in Arnhem Land

Wilderness and Aboriginal Culture

In the furthest north-eastern corner of Australia lies the vast and unspoilt wilderness of Arnhem Land. The Yolngu people have occupied and owned this land for at least 60,000 years so as well as stunning and diverse landscapes ranging from lush rainforests, paperbark swamps, ancient caves and a rugged coastline this land is also incredibly rich in Aboriginal culture.

Founder and guide of Sab Lord Safaris, has known the Nayingguls family since the 1960s, and has exclusive access to this sacred area – a secret sanctuary accessible to a privileged few.

 

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Bamurru Plains £££££

  • Australia
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Bamurru Plains is made up of nine spacious and cool safari suites plus the generous Kingfisher suite, all built amongst the savannah bush on the edge of the Mary River floodplains.

View Property

How does this holiday make a positive impact?

Around 75% of the power supplied at Bamurru Plains is generated by the sun through an array of 240 solar panels. This not only ensures a predominately clean source of energy but also allows guests to hear the sounds of the bush at night without the noise of a diesel generator in the background.

Lords Kakadu & Arnhemland Safaris has spent decades working closely with local Aboriginal clans and share a mutual respect with the local indigenous people and their relationship with the land. Owner, Sab Lord, was raised on a station that is now part of World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, with his father employing Aboriginal families who taught him their indigenous language and involved him in traditional ceremonies.

If extending your holiday to Queensland as per our suggestion, the citizen science morning at Australian Quoll Conservancy contributes observations of flora & fauna via iNaturalist, the world’s leading global social biodiversity network. This platform allows the team to create research-quality citizen science data that enables a more detailed picture of our national biodiversity, and assists other decision makers to deliver better outcomes for the environment and our species.    

Australia: Queensland Wildlife & Conservation Safari

An extension to the ancient rainforests of north Queensland works perfectly between May and October. On a four day shared or private tour, experience the flora and fauna of the Daintree Rainforest, and gain exclusive access to conservation and research projects. Meet with experts, get hands on checking camera traps and visit tree kangaroo and bat rehabilitation centres. Spend time on foot and by boat in search of the varied diurnal and nocturnal wildlife. A birding mecca, this region is home to over 450 avian species, including the Southern cassowary as well as crocodiles, snakes, flying foxes and platypus.

4 days from £1,695 pp

Southern Cassowary, Daintree National Park, Queensland, Australia
Daintree Rainforest, Australia

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A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £4,695 Per person

When to travel

The top end of Australia has a tropical climate and has two distinct seasons, the ‘wet’ and the ‘dry’ with the wet season spanning November until April. The best time to visit is between June and September when weather conditions for this area are at their best with lovely warm days and pleasant evenings. If you wish to travel outside of this time read on…

January to March: Kakadu and Arnhemland will receive heavy rains during this period and most access roads and accommodation is closed. Bamurru Plains generally opens from early February and although it is hot and humid, keen fishermen and bird watchers would have a great time and the summer storms can be spectacular.

April and May: The weather will still be hot but the rains will be easing.

October to December: Not a great time to visit as the weather will be very hot in the pre-monsoon build up.

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