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4 Australian National Parks (NP) including the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park are featured in this Nature Bound Australia NT Ecotour. 12 days of authentic experiences in the Top End, roaming the escarpments, waterfalls and termite mounds of Litchfield national park, abundant birding and wildlife of the wetlands, extraordinary indigenous culture and rock art galleries of Kakadu and Arnhem Land, the awesome grandeur of Katherine Gorge, all guarantee a personal adventure of a lifetime.. Our journey begins well after the wet season with an interpretive visit to the world class Territory Wildlife Park exhibiting rare and endangered Australia wildlife in a managed natural environment. Time to familiarise yourself with some interesting Northern Territory species before we travel on through curious magnetic termite mounds to Litchfield National Park with its weathered sandstone outcrops and monsoon rainforest. The Mary River National Park is a bird watching delight, the wetlands also teeming with large barramundi fish and the largest of estuarine crocodiles, undisputed master of its domain. No Top End tour or Australian guided walking vacation would be complete without a visit to the world heritage jewel of Kakadu, one of the Northern Territory National Parks most prized cultural and ecological treasures, a 19,800 sq kms National Park of international significance with Aboriginal occupation dating back an estimated 50,000yrs. The Aboriginal rock art in some 5000 cultural sites records teachings of the creation era, known as the dreamtime, a unique x-ray style depiction of birds, mammals and fish and the arrival of other beings and influences (contact art). Our guided walks provide considerable focus on the Aboriginal rock art and culture. However, the park protects 1600 plant, 275 bird, 75 reptile and a staggering 10,000 insect species. Finally we explore the grand natural sandstone ravine, Katherine Gorge carved by the Katherine River through Nitmiluk NP. The river has been a source of food, recreation and spiritual significance for thousands of years. Time floating and strolling through some of the 13 gorges and walking high above the gorge presents an inspiring and fitting finale, before we conclude our walking holiday back in Darwin.
JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTSFrom Darwin, returning to Darwin (Northern Territory) Territory Wildlife Park, presents a world class introduction to the Northern Territory or Top End, its habitats and wildlife species. Litchfield National Park, - is renowned for its rock holes, escarpments, Wangi Falls and Florence Falls, magnetic and cathedral termite mounds. There is the Lost City, prolific wildlife, birds of prey and huge harmless spiders.The termite mounds are a "highrise storage facility" to which the termites retreat during the wet monsoon period, having accessed by underground corridors and harvested a stockpile of wood, grass and litter for an area 50 metres or more around their mound. These unseen creatures are also the base of the food chain. Mary River National Park. - vast areas of lagoons, canals and billabongs with the world's highest concentration of giant estuarine crocodiles. Paperbark and monsoon forests shelter breeding populations of magpie geese, brolgas, egrets, storks, jabiru and sea eagles. Kakadu National Park - we'll visit a number of the 5,000 different Aboriginal rock art galleries dating back more than 25,000 years depicting dreamtime legends, mythical beings, unique x-ray art and early contact experiences with other beings. Galleries at Ubirr and Nourlangie are just two prominent Aboriginal culture sites. As prevailing conditions allow, we'll visit the rugged Arnhemland sandstone escarpment with its celebrated waterfalls. Visits to the iconic Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls are options. We'll cruise down the East Alligator River with our indigenous guide for an excellent insight into Aboriginal culture. Indigenous guides also provide hosted visits to fine art sites. Each of our journeys is subject to application and permitted access into restricted Arnhem Land areas for meaningful contact and educational experiences with local Aboriginal communities. No culture on earth has lasted as long as the Aboriginal culture with some 2000 unbroken generations since their ancesters arrived during the last ice age. Their spirit beings remain part of their belief and date back far beyond the major religions of the east and west. The more strenuous Barrk Sandstone walk will provide an elevated view of the park, possible sightings of the elusive marsupial, the black wallaroo (Barrk) and a visit to the more remote Nanguluwur gallery which covers most of the rock art styles in the park including early "contact art". We'll join a dawn billabong cruise on Yellow Waters for an up close spotting of crocodiles, waterbirds and sea eagles in abundance, in their environment. The Australian salt water crocodile is the largest in the world and in these waters is frequently 5 to 7 metres long. Nitmiluk National Park. - we'll cruise sections and walk atop the spectacular Katherine Gorge with its sheer walls and deep water reaches, a fitting and dramatic finale to our journey. The park features 13 sandstone gorges, bloodwood and ironwood trees, pockets of monsoon rainforest, paperbarks and pandanus. Large goannas and agile wallabies are a common sight. 170 species of birds frequent the park including the rare and endangered Gouldian Finch.
WALKING ACTIVITYDay/Half Day walks scheduled for Litchfield NP, Mary River NP, Kakadu NP, Nitmiluk NP (Katherine Gorge) Short strolls included in all travel days as we shift from one National Park base or reserve to another.
ACCOMMODATIONSelection from outback motels, resorts and wilderness camps with private and shared facilities.
MEALSAll main meals (BLD), morning and afternoon teas included.
GETTING THEREThe tour commences and concludes in Darwin, Australia's northern most city. Domestic flights with Qantas or Virgin to Darwin from Brisbane take 4 hours 5 minutes and from Sydney 4 hours 50 minutes. Darwin is also a northern entry point into Australia for some Qantas international flights
DURATIONUltimate journey 11 days with a shorter 9 day option.
DEPARTURESOur groups meet at the departure point the evening before, for final administration and a Meet 'n Greet function.
BEST MONTHS TO VISITJune to August
PARTICIPANTSAvailable to both independent travellers and groups.
INCLUSIONSMeals as indicated, tour memento, National Park entries, accommodation twin share, transport and guide services, celebration dinner, local guide fees, various feature entries. EXCLUSIONSFree time and personal costs. Any optional activities elected by participants and not part of our guided journey. Personal travel insurances. Pre and post travel arrangements. Australian departure taxes. Food and beverages additional to those provided.
IMPORTANT INFORMATIONHEALTH AND FITNESS WHAT TO BRING WEATHER
PRE AND POST TRAVEL SUGGESTIONSContact us if we can assist you with travel arrangements complementing this, Wild Top End journey.
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