5 Day Kakadu, Arnhem Land and Cobourg Peninsula Safari

What you will see & do on this 5 day adventure is hard to describe. The scenery, history and experiences will stay with you a lifetime. The wildlife in the differnet areas you visit will amaze you. You visit an aboriginal art community and met the artists as well as explore rock art with a local expert. The parts of the Northern Territory we take you to are remote and only a few will have the privilage of exploring it. We hope you will be one of them.

Venture North’s feature 5 day tour departs Darwin and take guests through some of the highlights of Kakadu (various wetlands, Barramundi Gorge, Ubirr) before venturing into Arnhem Land and spending time with local Aboriginal people in the community of Gunbalanya – major highlight includes an Aboriginal guided rock art tour of Injalak Hill. The tour then heads up to their remote Cobourg Coastal Camp which provides the perfect base to explore the Garig Gunak Barlu National (Cobourg Peninsula) and Marine Park by 4WD and boat – further highlight include wildlife spotting, European history, Aboriginal culture, pristine wilderness areas, solitude and much more!

ITINERARY:
DAY 1 (L/D)

Depart Darwin accommodation 7–7:15am for Kakadu National Park. En route visit the Adelaide River Wetlands and Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve before joining a morning cruise on the picturesque Corroboree Billabong.

On this scenic cruise on Corroboree you have the opportunity to view a large variety of birdlife as well as salt water crocodiles in their natural environment. Learn more about the wildlife on the billabong from your knowledgeable guides who will make the cruise both fascinating and informative.

Continue to the Bark Hut Inn for a refreshment stop before entering Kakadu. Travel along the old Jim Jim Road visiting White Lily Billabong before arriving at Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). Here we take a scenic 1km walk along the edge of Barramundi Creek before arriving at the base of Barramundi Falls. Here you have the opportunity to swim or snorkel in the large plunge pool below and discover the array of aquatic life that is present.

Depart Maguk late afternoon for Nawalandja lookout. A short climb takes us up the sloping sandstone to provide views of the sun setting across Anbangbang Billabong, Nourlangie Rock and the Arnhem Land escarpment.

Depart after sunset for Jabiru and the Lake View Bush Bungalows, our accommodation for tonight.

Overnight: Lake View Bush Bungalows

DAY 2 (B/L/D)

After breakfast we travel from Jabiru to the northern region of Kakadu National Park to Cahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River and enter Arnhem Land. A 15 km scenic drive to Gunbalanya Aboriginal community provides some of the best driving views in the Top End with floodplains covered in bird life and water lilies running up alongside the Arnhem Land escarpment.

Upon arrival at Gunbalanya we will visit the Injalak Arts and Craft Centre. Here you have the opportunity to meet and watch traditional local artists in action. This art centre has a reputation for producing high quality Aboriginal works with many pieces displayed in galleries around Australia and overseas.

After looking through the art centre we will be joined by a local Aboriginal guide to be shown around the Injalak Hill rock art sites. A short hike takes us up into one of the most spectacular Aboriginal rock art sites in Australia. Spend several hours exploring various shelters covered in Aboriginal x-ray style art, some dating back up to 20,000 years. Listen as your guide shares and interprets the stories of their ancestors and helps you to understand the meaning behind this ancient tradition.

After lunch we will say goodbye to our hosts and journey on to the Cobourg Peninsula. The drive takes approximately 3-4 hrs with stops and creek crossings along the way.

Upon arrival at Cobourg we will head straight for Venture North’s exclusive Cobourg Coastal Camp to settle in and enjoy the sunset.

Overnight: Cobourg Coastal Camp

DAY 3 (B/L/D)

This morning is spent exploring the Cobourg Marine Park by boat en route to the Victoria Settlement ruins.

Victoria Settlement was established between 1838 – 1849 by the British as one of the first settlements in northern Australia. The stone ruins are still standing on the shoreline of Port Essington and serve as a reminder of the harshness early settlers faced.

Next we reboard the boat and cruise the Marine Park keeping a keen eye out for wildlife. Cobourg is also abundant in some amazing marine life such as six species of marine turtles, dugong, dolphins, sharks, crocodiles, stingray’s, mud crabs and plenty of fish.

Return to camp for the afternoon where you can explore the nearby beaches and creek systems, try your luck at fishing or simply enjoy the solitude while reading a book from a hammock overlooking the ocean.

Overnight: Cobourg Coastal Camp

DAY 4 (B/L/D)

Today we explore the eastern side of the Park this time by 4WD.

Cobourg is home to the first RAMSAR wetland (wetlands of international importance) in world with freshwater paperbark swamps and billabongs 100m from the coastline.

Continue on via the northern beaches, commonly used as turtle nesting areas and covered in a wide range of shells. Low tide provides opportunities to explore exposed coral reefs and rock pools which are home to a variety of marine life.

This afternoon we will also visit the Park’s Cultural and Information Centre before making our way back towards camp.

Overnight: Cobourg Coastal Camp

DAY 5 (B/L)

This morning we depart Cobourg early. Sit back and enjoy the bush scenery of Arnhem Land as we make our way back to Kakadu National Park. After numerous stops along the way we will enjoy lunch next to the banks of the mighty East Alligator River.

After lunch visit Ubirr Rock where we spend time viewing some of Kakadu’s best Aboriginal rock art. A short walk to the top of Ubirr offers spectacular views of the surrounding wetlands and stone country.

Depart Ubirr to Darwin via the Arnhemland highway. En route to Darwin we will stop and visit the Mamukala wetlands, which at times is a haven for thousands of Magpie Geese as well as many other species of native birds and reptiles.

Arrive in Darwin approximately 7:00pm.