Australia Top End Adventure
1 – 11 August 2025
Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture and learn from indigenous guides about ancient rock art and their way of life and
experience the remote natural beauty of the “Top End” of Australia.
Starting and ending in Darwin, a city rich in Aboriginal Art and culture, this tour will take you deep into the vast wilderness of Arnhemland, defined by rocky escarpments, gorges, rivers and waterfalls. You will be staying 2 nights at a Safari Lodge at Mt Borradaile, a registered sacred site to explore rock shelters with stunning rock art, savannah woodlands, pristine waterways and observe wildlife, before heading to the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Here you will experience a guided tour through Ubirr Aboriginal rock art and a cruise on Yellow Water, a tranquil wetland which is home to a diversity of flora and fauna. Then the tour will take you to Katherine for a visit of Nitmiluk Cultural Center and to experience the Nabilil Dreaming Sunset cruise. Discover the stories of the Jawoyn people against the magnificent backdrop of Nitmiluk Gorge. You will also visit Cutta Cutta Caves and Edith Falls before returning back to Darwin. Another highlight of this tour is a visit to Tiwi Islands, meet and engage with an aboriginal community famous for their traditional lifestyle, stunning artwork, vibrant fabrics and textiles. This amazing tour also includes a full day trip from Darwin to Lichtfield National Park, an area of jaw dropping beauty, spectacular water falls and enormous Magnetic Termite mounds. An historic walking tour of Darwin on the last day concludes this tour.
Are you ready for your Top End Adventure?
Day by Day itinerary:
Saturday, 2 August 2025 Darwin Arrival (Breakfast, Dinner)
Welcome to Darwin. After clearing customs, your private bus will transfer you to your hotel. If balmy nights, colourful characters and outdoor adventures are on your bucket list, Darwin is your city. Along with its crocodiles and cruises, you’ll find rich Aboriginal culture here, evident through the vibrant Aboriginal art that fills the city’s galleries, museums and streetscapes. The city’s proximity to Asia means you’ll also find strong Asian influences, especially in the energetic food scene and buzzing night markets. Breakfast is served between 06:30am and 10:00 am Enjoy the afternoon to relax by the hotel pool or venture into the wave pool of Darwin, located within meters from the hotel. Or enjoy a lovely lunch at Curve Café (at own expense) or explore one of the restaurants in the surrounding food hub at the seafront promenade.
16:30 pm: Walk over to the jetty (15 min walk) to board a 15 m sailing catamaran for a 3 hours champagne sunset sail (departure at 17:00, non – exclusive). Feel the wind and revel in the silence as you set the sails for an unforgettable 3 hour tropical sunset cruise on the magnificent Darwin Harbour. Authentic sailing aboard Sundancer, a 50ft luxury catamaran designed for enjoyment and safety in tropical waters. With over 100 square metres of deck space there’s plenty of room to spread out in the shade of the sails, or if our warm weather gets too much retreat to the fully air-conditioned saloon. Includes Sparkling wine, Soft Drinks, Water & delicious tapas style dinner served throughout the evening. BYO other drinks, eskies and icemaker on board.
Lunch at own arrangements.
Hotel: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront 7 Kitchener Drive Darwin NT 8000
Roomtype: Guest Room
Sunday, 3 August 2025 Darwin (Breakfast boxes, Lunch, Dinner)
Breakfast boxes from the hotel due to an early departure.
06:30am: Today you will be picked up early to meet your flight to go deep into Arnhemland. Arnhemland is a vast wilderness area in the northeast corner of Australia Northern Territory, defined by rocky escarpments, gorges, rivers and waterfalls. Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris is a remote and exclusively leased Safari Lodge at Mt Borradaile, a registered sacred site. Nestled against the Arnhemland escarpment this landscape of rugged ranges fringed by idyllic billabongs is a stunningly beautiful wilderness and cultural centre to the Aboriginal people. The safari lodge melts into the surrounding bush, with the cabins built to embrace the top end climate. The central hub overlooks the pool and offers cold beers, wines and spirits at the bar for guests to enjoy in the lounge area or the poolside deck after an exhilarating day.
The friendly lodge guides and staff love to show you this magnificent area, with so much to do and see. Within a half hour drive from the lodge at Mount Borradaile you can:
- Visit rock shelters with stunning rock art that spans thousands of years that give you insights into the aboriginal way of life from this region
- Walk through savannah woodland and find plenty of local bush tucker
- Take a boat trip through the many water channels and the open floodplain to see some of the 275 bird species found in the region
- Try your hand at barramundi fishing in the pristine Cooper Creek.
- Take a dip in the pristine natural swimming hole (seasonal) or relax poolside back at the lodge
- Walk through the incredible catacombs that hold artefacts, signs of recent occupation and ancient mortuary rites
- Spend a late afternoon on the billabong observing the wildlife including the many crocodiles that inhabit the watercourses, finish up with a glass of wine and nibbles as the sun sets over the floodplain
- Walk up one of the many escarpments to find spectacular stone arrangements and art filled occupation site.
Hotel: Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris
Roomtype: Mixture of Deluxe and Standard Cabins
Monday, 4 August 2025 Arnhemland (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
The day can be planned to your individual interest with the local guest service team.
Hotel: Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris
Tuesday, 5 August 2025 Arnhemland – Jabiru (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
09:00 Today you leave Arnhemland behind and venture into a 3 day touring adventure through Kakadu National Park and Katherine.
You arrive in Jabiru at 09:20 where you will be met by your friendly Driever/Guide who will accompany you the next couple of days.
10:00 Your first stop will be a 1 hour guided tour through Ubirr Aboriginal Rock art. You will take a walk to the lookout and see impressive views across the floodplains. Ubirr hosts some of the world’s most outstanding rock art and is one of the reasons for Kakadu’s dual World Heritage status. The paintings document ancient human interaction with the environment. A few galleries have an extra element of intrigue with some of the first interactions with non-Aboriginal people recorded.
12:00 Lunch at Cooinda Lodge
13:15 After lunch you will board a Yellow Water Cruise. The river system, which is the largest in Kakadu, contains extensive wetlands that include river channels, floodplains and backwater swamps. Enjoy a one and a half hour wildlife cruise on Yellow Water, a lush tropical billabong located in Kakadu National Park. This tranquil wetland is home to a diversity of flora and fauna. Watch as native birds rest among waterlilies, see saltwater crocodiles, wild horses and wallabies in their natural habitats and discover why this unspoiled wilderness is a World Heritage listed landmark.
15:30 Mid afternoon you enjoy a 1 hour guided tour Nourlangie Burrungky Aboriginal Rock Art Tour. The Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site is a must-stop on your journey through Kakadu. Stroll through shaded rock shelters to marvel at the World Heritage-listed art and discover how life used to be for the Bininj.
17:00 Check in your hotel Cooinda Lodge and enjoy an evening at your leisure. You will sleep under the trees in one of the luxury tents in the remotest area of the lodge. Includes 1 King bed (can also be 2 x single beds), airconditioning, electric lighting, fan, bar fridge, occasional chairs. Please note that bathrooms are shared facilities.
19:00 Enjoy a dinner together in the hotel restaurant.
Hotel: Cooinda Lodge Kakadu Hwy Kakadu NT 0822
Room type: Outback Retreat Glamping Tents (shared bathroom facilities)
Wednesday, 6 August 2025 Jabiru (B) – Katherine (Lunch, Dinner)
09:00 Today you will depart to Katherine.
12:00 Drop your bags at Contour Hotel and continue to the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre for lunch.
14:00 During the Footsteps of our Ancestors Tour, an inspirational cultural presentation allows your group to gain a deeper understanding of Jawoyn Culture firsthand. Held at the Nitmiluk Cultural Centre, your Indigenous guides will introduce you to the Jawoyn culture and traditional activities such as basket weaving, spear throwing, fire lighting, painting, and didgeridoo playing. Traditionally, these activities were divided into “Men’s business” and “Women’s business”. Your knowledgeable cultural team will discuss both roles in the Jawoyn culture and encourage you to experience some of these traditional activities for yourself.
16:15 Check in for your Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Cruise tonight. During the 3.5 hrs cruise you combine sightseeing with unexpected luxury in the remote setting of Nitmiluk Gorge. Considered the jewel in the crown of the Nitmiluk experience, this is a must-do experience for your stay in Nitmiluk. Sit back, relax, and be transported to a spiritual world of Jawoyn culture and history in tranquil surroundings. Discover the stories and ways of the Jawoyn people against the magnificent backdrop of Nitmiluk Gorge. As the colours change with the setting sun and the night sky emerges, you will enjoy a candlelit, fine dining experience prepared by an onboard chef and delivered by attentive wait staff. Your delectable three course meal features fresh, local, Australian produce cooked onboard and service with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine.
20:30 After a day filled with new impressions you return to the hotel.
Hotel: Contour Hotel 9 Cyprus St Katherine East NT 0850,
Roomtype: Standard room
Thursday, 7 August 2025 Katherine (Breakfast) – Darwin
08:30 You will start your day with a visit to Cutta Cutta Caves (9am tour). Delve 15 metres below the surface to discover amazing limestone caves in the heart of Australia’s Top End. Formed millions of years ago, the Cutta Cutta Caves system is home to a variety of native wildlife and has a rich Indigenous culture and modern European history. Located 27 km South of Katherine, Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park covers 1499 hectares of natural limestone landscape. Home to five species of bats, including the rare Ghost and Horseshoe bats and around 170 species of birds, including the Hooded Parrot and the endangered Gouldian Finch, it’s a wildlife lover’s paradise.
10:00 You continue to Edith Falls where you have an hour of free time for a hike to look out over the Falls or take a swim in the refreshing pool.
12:00 Departure back to Darwin. On the way you stop in the historic town of Pine Creek for lunch (at own expense).
16:00 Arrival back in Darwin. The afternoon is at your own leisure. Lunch and dinner at own arrangements.
Hotel: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Friday, 8 August 2025 Darwin (Breakfast) – Tiwi Islands (Picnic Box Lunch)- Darwin
07:00 Today you will ferry over to Tiwi Island. Your bus will bring you to the ferry terminal at Cullen Bay from where the ferry departs. The people on Tiwi Islands are famous for their traditional lifestyle, stunning artworks, vibrant fabrics and textiles, plus an exuberant passion for football. Take a day tour from Darwin to the Tiwi Islands to find out why it’s nicknamed the ‘Island of Smiles’.
A highly personalised cultural experience, ‘Tiwi By Design’ is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the busy day of one of the oldest and most artistically diverse art centres in Australia.
After disembarking in the Aboriginal community of Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island, meet your Tiwi guide who will escort you to Tiwi Design Art Centre where local artists and dancers will perform a traditional Welcome to Country with a smoking ceremony and totem dances. Enjoy a typical Tiwi morning tea of damper and a cuppa whilst getting to know some of the Tiwi Island community members. A walking tour with your guide will take in some of the local painted buildings and the historic mission precinct where you will see the beautiful wooden Catholic church that featured in the ‘Top End Wedding’ movie. Visit the Patakijiyali Museum with your guide to learn the history of the Mission days, the Tiwi Creation story, Tiwi involvement in WWII and most importantly, (to the Tiwi!), celebrated football players (Australian Rules)!
After a rest and lunch in the shade, you’ll get to participate in an exclusive ‘behind-the-scenes’ screen printing workshop. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi design to print onto a take-home tshirt, tea towel or fabric – a wonderful souvenir of your Tiwi visit.
There’s some free time to browse the carvings, paintings and fabric, your best opportunity to purchase authentic Tiwi pieces at Island prices. This is a leisurely day of absorbing the workings of a busy Indigenous art centre – you may see art pieces destined for international exhibitions, talk to artists who are carving or painting, and sometimes the ladies will be there weaving and chatting. It is always loud and busy with Tiwi people coming and going, Ngarukuruwala music playing on repeat. Take the time to connect, share where you’re from and which footy team you support, ask about the stories you see on the paintings, or ask the artists to show you their work.
17:45 You return to Darwin. Dinner at own arrangements
Hotel: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Saturday, 9 August 2025 Darwin (Breakfast) – Litchfield National Park (Lunch) – Darwin
A full day tour (11 hrs) awaits you today to Litchfield National Park. Litchfield is an area of jaw-dropping beauty. Spectacular waterfalls are rushing down the red and orange coloured sandstone formations.
Tolmer Falls is one of the most impressive falls: It cascades over two high escarpments into one deep plunge pool. Wangi and Florence Falls are popular swimming holes in the Litchfield National Park.
One of Litchfield National Park’s most impressive sights is the hundreds of Magnetic Termite mounds standing up to two metres high on a wide flat plain. Up to 100 years old, these structures are unique to the northern parts of Australia, including Litchfield National Park. Stroll along the boardwalk and marvel at these enormous magnetic compasses, with their thin edges pointing north-south and broad backs facing east-west.
Lunch will be served at Litchfield Café.
Dinner at own arrangements
Hotel: Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Sunday, 10 August 2025 Darwin (Breakfast)
09:00 Walk over to the tour departure point (12 min).
09:30 For a city that looks like new, Darwin has a lot of history when you scratch beneath the surface.
As you walk the paths of pioneers, the guide will cheerfully share the passion for the town they call home as they tell of its history through the World War II bombings and Cyclone Tracy, to current day. Discover many of the remaining buildings such as the old Court House and Police Station, Browns Mart and the Old Palmerston Town Hall ruins, all of which have been painstakingly reconstructed. View Government House, Parliament House and the Northern Territory Supreme Court on our journey through the streets of this modern tropical city.
There are many hidden treasures to see on foot and plenty of opportunities to capture photographs of the public artworks, architecture, historic buildings, tropical plants and wildlife. Please note that a certain level of fitness is required on this tour as there are not many places where you can sit and rest.
After the tour the rest of the day is at your own leisure The room has been booked for the additional night so you can enjoy the room and the hotel facilities for as long as you like before your transfer to the airport for your flight back to New Zealand.
Please note that flights are not included in the tour price and need to be booked separate.
Claudia is happy to help, please contact her for a quote.
TOUR INCLUSIONS & COSTS:
- 10 nights accommodation as specified in itinerary (please note: 1 night is spent in glamping tents with shared bathroom facilities)
- Daily breakfast, 6 x lunch, 5 x dinners
- Transfers & sightseeing as per itinerary
- Insight Australia Travel detailed travel information and documentation
- Shared Sunset Cruise in Darwin
- National Park Ticket Kakadu and Northern Territory Parks
- 5 hrs Yellow Water Cruise
- Footsteps of our Ancestors 2 hrs tour
- Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Cruise 3.5 hrs
- Guided Cave Walk Cutta Cutta Caves 1 hrs
- Full Day Tiwi by Design Tour
- Guided Heritage Walk in Darwin
- Full Day Tour Litchfield
- Flights to and from Davidsons’ Arnhemland Safaris (potentially shared and luggage restrictions do apply)
This tour has been designed for “Friends of Te Papa” by Claudia Moir – NZ Travel Brokers in cooperation with Insight Australia travel.
Price per person: $ 9,950 (twin share) – flights additional (ask me for a quote)
Single supplement: $2,800
If you are a solo traveller and don’t want to pay the single supplement, we will try to match you up with another solo traveller.
Price is based on a minimum 16 passengers, maximum 20
A deposit payment of $1,000 per person is required to secure your space on this tour. Balance payment is required 3 months prior to departure. Deposit is refundable in case that minimum numbers for the tour are not reached. Once full payment is made, it is non-refundable if the booking is cancelled within 45 days of departure. If cancelled between 90 and 45 days prior to departure means a loss of deposit. We highly recommend to take out comprehensive travel insurance at time of booking, please ask me for a quote.
To book contact:
Claudia Moir – NZ Travel Brokers
09-431 5899 mob. 021-431 589
email: [email protected]
Trading as a member of NZ Travel Brokers Ltd, TAANZ Bonded & IATA Accredited, PO Box 842 Palmerston North 4410
Image credits: James Fisher/Tourism Australia.