Australian Pacific Tours

Top End Discovery - 7 Days

Tour Code: WA15

Departure Dates
2000: 2 & 16jan, 20 & 27feb, 12 & 26mar, 9 & 23apr, 7 & 21may, 11, 18 & 25jun, 2, 9 & 23jul, 6, 20 & 27aug, 3 & 10sep, 1, 8 & 22oct, 5nov
2001: 11 & 25mar, 8 & 22apr, ^& 20may, 10, 17 & 24jun
Legend: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Price: au$ 1565 Twinshare pp / au$ 2035 Sole Room use

Day 1 Sun. Darwin (D): You will be welcomed on arrival in Darwin by your Australian Pacific crew for transfer to hotel. Tour Darwin including the Chinese Joss House, East Point and Darwin Museum. Tasmania, Cairns and Newcastle passengers arrive late afternoon. Meet your fellow travellers this evening at a poolside barbecue dinner. Overnight: Novotel Atrium Darwin, overlooking Darwin Harbour.

 
  • Stay 2 nights Kakadu National Park - World's only crocodile shaped hotel
  • East Alligator River cruise - Arnhem Land
  • Explore Ubirr, Aboriginal art site
  • Visit Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre
  • Wildman Mary River Wilderness cruise
  • Stay 3 nights tropical Darwin
  • Opportunity to visit Mindil Beach Markets
  • Tour Darwin sights - East Point and Museum
  • Visit Darwin Crocodile Farm
  • Territory Wildlife Park - a showcase of wildlife unique to the Territory
  • Cruise Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge)
  • Tour Litchfield National Park - Wangi Falls and Florence Falls
  • Visit Mataranka Thermal Pool
Day 2 Mon. Darwin - Wildman Mary River Cruise - Kakadu National Park (BD): Visit the Crocodile Farm and see hundreds of crocodiles close at hand. Travel across the Marrakai Plains with its water-lily covered lagoons for a magnificent private cruise on the Mary River and its billabongs.  See colourful waterlilies, mysterious mangroves and a variety of birdlife. Continue into Kakadu National Park inscribed on the World Heritage List for outstanding cultural and natural universal values. Overnight: Jabiru, Gagudju Crocodile Hotel for 2 nights (dept. 29 Aug. 1999 stay All Seasons Frontier Village Kakadu).

Day 3 Tue. East Alligator River Cruise - Arnhem Land - Ubirr Art Site (BD): Travel to the East Alligator River and, accompanied by aboriginal guides, join a cruise along the edge of Kakadu. Enjoy a short walk on Arnhem Land and learn of the wildlife and aboriginal culture in this spectacular region (subject to road access Dec. - Mar.). Continue to Ubirr, rich in aboriginal rock art and a short climb will also provide panoramic views over the floodplains. Stop at Bowali Visitor Centre to view the informative displays on flora and fauna.

Day 4 Wed. Pine Creek - Mataranka Thermal Pool - Elsey Homestead (BD): Before departing Kakadu, visit Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, illustrating the history of the aboriginal people in Kakadu. See giant anthills on our way through the tiny settlement of Pine Creek to Mataranka and Elsey National Park. Enjoy a swim in the clear waters of the thermal pool, a real tropical oasis boasting a constant daily temperature of 34C, or explore the replica Elsey Homestead, a copy of the original homestead constructed for use in the film "We of the Never Never". Overnight: Katherine, All Seasons Frontier Katherine. Tonight your Tour Director will host pre-dinner drinks, with champagne, to celebrate the "Turn of the Century".

Day 5 Thur. Cruise Nitmiluk Gorge - Darwin - Mindil Beach Markets (B): Join our specialist guide for a cruise on spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge). Enjoy informative commentary on the flora and wildlife as we cruise between the brilliantly scarred orange walls. View ancient aboriginal rock art galleries and watch out for the Johnstonii crocodile! This afternoon, travel to Adelaide River, the relocation point for Australian and American forces following the bombing of Darwin during World War II. Visit the War Memorial Cemetery before continuing to Darwin via a series of vintage airstrips. Tonight, take the opportunity to visit Mindil Beach Sunset Markets (open May to October). Enjoy the free entertainment and opportunity to purchase dinner from over sixty international food stalls. Overnight: Novotel Atrium Darwin for 2 nights.

Day 6 Fri. Territory Wildlife Park - Litchfield National Park (BD): Visit the fascinating Territory Wildlife Park, set in 400 hectares of natural bushland. Take a stroll through the park, viewing hundreds of Territory natives - birds, mammals and reptiles, and visit the aquarium featuring a unique underwater viewing tunnel. This afternoon, discover the beauty of Litchfield National Park. Visit Wangi Falls. Enjoy a nature walk to the top of the falls or take a swim in the secluded pool. See the striking feature of a double waterfall at Florence Falls, and imposing termite mounds as we travel through the Park.

Day 7 Sat. Darwin (B): Morning at leisure. Relax by the pool, visit the Museum or perhaps feed fish at Doctors Gully. Your tour concludes.