Greataussietravel.com.au » Darwin

Katherine gorge and Leliyn (edith falls)

admin — Thu, 28 May 2015 04:56:13 +0000

This morning at around 6.30 am, you’ll depart Darwin. On arrival at Adelaide River War Cemetery, disembark the coach for a stretch of the legs and to pay your respects to the Second World War soldiers and civilians that were killed in the 1942 air raids on Darwin and subsequently laid to rest here. Then continue via Pine Creek to the township of Katherine, a popular tourist centre and one of the Northern Territory’s most important agricultural and grazing regions. Enter Nitmiluk National Park, home to 13 stunning gorges, including famous Katherine Gorge. The name ‘Nitmiluk’ is the traditional Jawoyn owners’ word for ‘Cicada Dreaming’, which is one of the area’s important Dream time stories. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to wander through the park’s Visitor Centre before joining your guided cruise between the sheer sandstone cliffs of Katherine Gorge. The waters of Katherine Gorge are a deep blue, but it is the sheer scale of the gorge that is the most mesmerising feature. As you glide along its tranquil waters, listen to the insightful commentary from your guide. Keep an eye out for crocodiles and an array of birds that inhabit the area. Once the cruise concludes, this afternoon you’ll travel to beautiful Leliyn (Edith Falls) located on the western boundary of Nitmiluk National Park. Take a dip in the paperbark and pandanus-fringed natural pool at the base of Leliyn. Following your time here, re-board the coach for the return trip to Darwin. Along the way, you’ll be offered the opportunity to purchase a delicious dinner, renowned as a Top End dining speciality – barramundi and chips (own expense). Your day tour concludes around 8.30 pm as your coach arrives back in the city of Darwin.

Litchfield national park

admin — Thu, 28 May 2015 04:53:46 +0000

Departing the tropical city of Darwin at 7 am, travel south and ascend the rocky Tabletop Range where dry woodlands and forests dominate the huge sandstone plateau. Along the way, stop to view the giant magnetic termite mounds, some standing well over two metres tall. These amazing natural architectural feats come complete with arches, tunnels, chimneys, insulation and nursery chambers. Soon, you’ll arrive in magnificent Litchfield National Park. Here, the park’s central sandstone plateau supports patches of monsoonal rainforest that thrive in the deep, narrow gorges created over thousands of years by the force of the waterfalls cutting into the escarpment walls. During your time in Litchfield, keep an eye out for the park’s common wildlife species, include wallaroos, wallabies, possums, flying foxes and dingoes. The biggest attractions of the park are said to be the permanent spring-fed waterfalls of Florence, Tolmer and Wangi. On this day tour, you’ll see the picturesque double waterfall that forms beautiful Florence Falls, surrounded by lush rainforest. Then continue to Tolmer Falls. Noted as one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the park, Tolmer Falls cascades over two high escarpments and plunges into a deep waterhole below. Stop for lunch (own expense) before continuing a short distance to the rock pool at Wangi Falls. There’s time here to enjoy a refreshing swim in the waters at the waterfall’s base (conditions permitting). Or perhaps take a nature walk to the top of Wangi Falls and enjoy a bird’s-eye view. Afterwards, your time in Litchfield National Park draws to its conclusion as you re-board the luxury coach and return to Darwin at around 6 pm.

Kakadu, Nourlangie and yellow water cruise

admin — Thu, 28 May 2015 04:50:53 +0000

Depart the tropical city of Darwin and enter World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Covering some 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu is Australia’s largest national park. Kakadu’s vast wetlands and ancient escarpment are home to one of Australia’s largest and most diverse bird populations, and carry outstanding natural and cultural significance. Visit Warradjan Aboriginal Culture Centre where the traditional Aboriginal land owners (Bininj) of Kakadu National Park tell stories of their culture through the displays and exhibitions. Afterwards, join a wonderful guided cruise on famous Yellow Water billabong. As you cruise, keep an eye out for wildlife that inhabits the billabong and its surrounds, including crocodiles. Then travel to Nourlangie Rock to view a variety of ancient Aboriginal rock art. The name ‘Nourlangie’ is an anglicised version of Nawurlandja. The most famous rock art picture at Nourlangie is called Namondjok and for some Aboriginal groups he is a Creation Ancestor who now lives in the sky and can be seen only at night, when he appears as a dark spot in the Milky Way galaxy. Afterwards, depart Nourlangie Rock and return to the city of Darwin, where your day’s touring draws to its conclusion.

Kakadu, Ubirr art sites and Guluyambi cruise

admin — Thu, 28 May 2015 04:39:32 +0000

Departing Darwin, travel across the Marrakai Plains and journey into World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, home to a profusion of birds and other native fauna. Covering some 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu is Australia’s largest national park. Continue by 4WD to Ubirr to see superbly preserved Aboriginal rock art. Located on the Arnhem Land escarpment, Ubirr has been added in its own right to the World Heritage List because of its anthropological and archaeological value. After enjoying lunch, you’ll join the fascinating Guluyambi Cultural Cruise along the East Alligator River with an Aboriginal guide. This is a wonderfully scenic cruise and serves as a superb introduction to the Aboriginal cultural context of the Northern Territory. As you cruise, keep a look out for the wide variety of wildlife that inhabits the area, including crocodiles. Your guide will provide interesting commentary along the way. Learn about the ancient culture and legends of the region. With special permission, you’ll disembark the cruise for a short walk into Arnhem Land, (conditions permitting). An Aboriginal-owned region that’s mostly occupied by local Indigenous people, Arnhem Land is a place in which traditional Indigenous culture remains largely intact. After the walk, rejoin the cruise and return to the point of departure. Then continue your journey back to the city of Darwin, where your day’s touring draws to its conclusion.