5 Day Mary River and Kakadu Wildlife and Birdwatching Tour- Deluxe accommodation

Day 1 (B,L,D)

You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at 5am for your 5 day wildlife and bird watching tour through the Mary River and Kakadu National Parks.

We head south along the Stuart highway and into Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve, arriving in time for sunrise bird watching. These wetlands have international significance because of their beauty and natural ecosystems. A variety of fauna may be found here throughout the year as well as a large variety of birdlife (230 bird species have been listed in this area by The Australian Bird Atlas). We drive across the dam wall and park at the Pandanus Lookout, where a light breakfast will be provided with tea and plunger coffee.

We then have the option of taking one of woodlands walks- either the 2.7k Monsoon Forest Walk or the 2.2km Woodlands to Waterlily Walk.

As well as a variety of wetlands birds, such as Brolga, Jabiru, Comb Crested Jacana, Sacred Kingfishers and Royal Spoonbills, we may also have the opportunity to see a range of other birds such as Crimson finches, Double Barred Finches, Rainbow Bee-Eaters and the Rainbow Pitta.

We continue along the Arnhem Highway and then turn north onto the Point Stuart Road. Our destination today is the Wildman River Wilderness Lodge, and eco-lodge situated in the Mary River Wetlands, which is teeming with bird life. The wet season transforms the wetlands into an inland sea and replenishes the earth after the long dry and fish, crocodiles and birds breed and flourish. As the flood waters subside, the dry season offers excellent opportunities for viewing birds and wildlife. 

En-route to the lodge, we visit Brian Creek and Mistake Creek. Brian Creek Monsoon Forest is a short walk through a pocket of rainforest where you will notice the contrast between the wildlife here and the surrounding woodlands.

At Mistake Creek, we walk to an observation platform overlooking the billabong, where we can view a variety of birds and wildlife.

Species of birds that can be found in the Mary River region include Gouldian Finch, Rufous Owl, Grey Goshawk, Great- Billed Heron, Black Bittern, Rainbow Pitta, Brolga, Jabiru, Kingfishers, Darters, Cormorants and Sea Eagles.

We arrive at Wildman River Wilderness Lodge and after we check into our accommodation, we have the rest of the evening at leisure.

Dinner this evening is a 2 course meal served at the lodge restaurant.

Overnight accommodation- Wildman River Lodge-2 night stay in a choice of Habitat accommodation (air con and en-suite bathroom) or deluxe safari tent accommodation (fan cooled, 50m2 with en-suite). – different prices so please advise your choice when booking. 

Day 2 (B,L,D) 

We start today with an early morning cruise on Home Billabong, where we watch nature come to life as the sun comes up. Keep an eye out for Saltwater crocodiles, Water Buffalo, Wallabies and of course, birdlife.

We spend the rest of the day exploring the area, finishing with sunset over the wetlands at Leichhardt Point, where the wetlands rise and recede with the seasons. Depending on the time of year the water may be high or dry. A vast seasonal variety of flora and fauna results.

Dinner this evening is a 2 course meal served at the lodge restaurant.

Overnight accommodation- Wildman River Lodge 

Day 3 (B,L)

Today we depart Mary River and make our way into World Heritage listed Kakadu National park. Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia, has some of the world’s finest rock art and a variety of habitats, including floodplains and savannah woodlands.

Kakadu's many habitats support more than 280 species of birds, or about one-third of Australia's bird species. Some birds range over a number of habitats, but many are found in only one environment, including the Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon, Banded Fruit-Dove, White- Lined Honeyeater and the White-throated Grasswren, which are only found within or near Kakadu National Park.

Once within the park, our first stop are the beautiful Mamukala Wetlands, which are home to an array of wetland birds including thousands of Magpie Geese , Wandering and Whistling Ducks, Green- Pygmy Geese and Australian Pelicans. We may also see birds of prey, such as Black-breasted Buzzard and Square-tailed Kite.

We can view and photograph the birdlife from the observation platform, where the mural depicts the seasonal changes throughout the year. Depending on seasonal conditions we may be able to take a walk to the bird hide.

After lunch, we head to the very north of the park to Ubirr, where we walk through galleries of ancient aboriginal rock art, which your guide will interpret. Also learn about bushtuckers and bush medicines before reaching the top of the plateau. Here we can relax and enjoy the panoramic view of the floodplains and Arnhemland escarpment. The escarpment is home to a variety of birds including the Chestnut-Quilled Rock Pigeon, Banded Fruit- Dove, Whistling Kite, Bush Stone- Curlew as well as the short-eared rock wallaby.

Dinner this evening is at your own arrangement and expense (the hotel has a restaurant).

Overnight accommodation in Kakadu- Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn- Motel room

Day 4 (B,L)

We start today at Nawalandja lookout. The short hike to the lookout is rewarded by a magnificent view over the Arnhemland escarpment and Nourlangie Rock.

After breakfast we take a short drive to Angbangbang Billabong, with great views of Nourlangie Rock behind the billabong and bird watching opportunities.

Then onto Nourlangie Rock itself, which is an ancient Aboriginal shelter. Here we explore the area and the rock art, which you guide will interpret for you. This area is home to the Black Wallaroo (endemic to the Nourlangie area), short-eared rock wallaby, Banded Fruit- Dove, White-Lined Honeyeater and the Chestnut-Quilled Rock Pigeon.

We finish our visit to Nourlangie with a walk to the Gunwarddewarde lookout or Lightning Dreaming, where Namarrgon (Lightening Man), watches for the first wet season storms.    

We take a look around the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre for an insight into the cultural heritage of the park, before checking into our accommodation. 

Dinner this evening is at your own expense (the hotel has a restaurant)

Overnight accommodation in Kakadu- Gagudju Lodge Cooinda, motel room.

Day 5 (B,L)

We start today with a sunrise cruise on the Yellow Waters Billabong, located at the end of Jim Jim Creek. At least 60 bird species are found in these wetlands, the billabong is home to many saltwater crocodiles and you may see other wildlife such as Water Buffalo.

After the cruise, a  cooked breakfast will be served in the hotel restaurant..

We spend this morning exploring Maguk (Barramundi Gorge and waterfall), where we may see Rainbow Pitta and Shining Flycatchers. Termite mounds are abundant along the dirt road that takes us to the Maguk car park and from there, we take a walk through a paperbark forest and then along the pandanus lined creek to reach the gorge. Once we reach the gorge and waterfall, we can have a refreshing swim in the plungepool.

We depart Kakadu by the Old Jim Jim Road (conditions permitting) and after crossing over the South Alligator River, we have a look at the wetlands at Black Jungle Springs.

We arrive back in Darwin at approximately 5.30pm and you will be dropped off at your accommodation.

END ITINERARY

B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

This tour is only operated as a private charter (sole use of vehicle and driver guide for a maximum of 7 passengers) and is valid for travel from May to October only due to seasonal conditions- please enquire for prices and further details.

Click here for the standard accommodation option

Inclusions:

• Sole use of Luxury 4WD with professional driver guide and purpose built heavy duty trailer
• Meals as stated, snacks, fruit and iced water in the vehicle at all times

• 2 nights accommodation at Wildman River Wilderness Lodge in either a Deluxe safari tent or a Habitat (different prices). Please advise your preference when booking.

• 1 night in a motel room at Gagudju Lodge Cooinda

• 1 night in a motel room at Gagudju Crocdile Holiday Inn

• Home Billabong Cruise at Wildman River

• 2 hour Sunrise Yellow Waters Cruise

• Kakadu park entry Tickets
• Kakadu birds check list

Exclusions:

• Pre & Post tour accommodation
• Travel insurance

• Arrival / departure flights

• Alcohol 

• Binoculars- please bring your own