7 Day Top End Wildlife and Birdwatching Tour

Day 1 (L,D)

You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at 7.30am for your 7 day wildlife and bird watching tour through the Top End.

You will be collected from your Darwin accommodation at 7.30am for your 7 day wildlife and bird watching tour through the Top End.

We travel along the Stuart and Arnhem Highways and then turn north onto the Point Stuart Road. We turn off towards Rockhole Billabong and take the short walk to Couzens Lookout, which has magnificent views of the Mary River Wetlands.

At 10am we join the Mary River Wetlands Cruise on Rockhole Billabong. Keep an eye out for Saltwater crocodiles, Water Buffalo, Wallabies and of course, birdlife.

The Mary River Wetlands are 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 birdsbreed and flourish. As the flood waters subside, the dry season offers excellent opportunities for viewing birds and wildlife.

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

After the 2 hour cruise, we continue north and 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.

Our destination today is Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge and once we’ve checked in, the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to walk around the resort or you may like to take the Jimmy Creek Monsoon Rainforest Walk, which is a 35 minute loop .

Dinner this evening is served at the lodge restaurant.

Overnight accommodation- Point Stuart Lodge-Lodge rooms with en-suites.

Day 2 (B,L,D) 

After breakfast we head south again and  re-join the Arnhem Highway. We make our way into World Heritage listed Kakadu National park, the largest national park in Australia with 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 areonly found within or near Kakadu National Park. 

Our first stop within the park 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.

Then 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.

We check into our accommodation and  have a BBQ Dinner, cooked by your guide.

Overnight accommodation in Kakadu- Lakeview Park- Bush Bungalows

Day 3 (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 finish the day with a sunset 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.

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

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

Day 4 (B,L,D)

We spend this morning exploring Gunlom (waterfall Creek) in the very south of the park. We can have a swim in the large plungepool at the base of the falls and there is an optional hike to the top of Gunlom, where pristine rockpools and a fantastic view await you.

Birds found in theescarpment area include the Chestnut-Quilled Rock Pigeon, White- Throated Grass Wren, Red Goshawk, Banded Honeyeater, Sandstone Shrike- Thrush and late in the dry season, we may see Gouldian Finches, especially at Gimbat / Coronation Hill.

This afternoon, we exit Kakadu and head south to Katherine.

Our accommodation this evening is at Nitmiluk Gorge and the area surrounding the chalets is abundant with wallabies and birdlife such as the Great Bowerbird, Kingfishers, Blue- Winged Kookaburras and Peaceful Doves.

Dinner tonight will be cooked by your guide.

Overnight accommodation –Nitmiluk Chalets with en-suite

Day 5 (B,L,D)

We start today withthe dawn breakfast cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge, home to 13 spectacular gorges, carved out of the rock by torrential summer rains, over millions of years.

The colours of the early morning create a visual feast for the senses as the first 2 gorges awaken. See the mist rising above the smooth waters surface, hear the wildlife stirring from the night, smell the crisp clean air while enjoying a delicious breakfast. This cruise will allow passengers to discover the unspoiled beauty of the morning whilst enjoying a hot Aussie breakfast on board. A truly memorable start to the day and a photographer‟s dream.  

After the cruise, we head north again to Leilyn (Edith Falls). Leilyn is also part of Nitmiluk National Park and is well known for it’s picturesque waterfalls and pools, particularly the large pool at the base of the escarpment which is great for a swim. We have a swim here with the option of taking the Leliyn Trail - a walk that takes us across the top of the waterfall, where we can have a swim in the upper rockpools and will get views of the waterfalls and Edith River from a couple of lookouts.

We may be lucky enough to spot crimson Finches, Varied Lorikeet,  Rufous-throated Honeyeater or a Red-Winged Parrot. 

We also stop at the Ferguson River for opportunities to spot the Hooded Parrot or a Banded Honeyeater.

We finish today in Pine Creek, popular with the elusive Hooded Parrot. The best time to see them is at dusk and at dawn. 

Dinner this evening will be cooked by your guide 

Overnight accommodation- Pine Creek Railway Resort- Cabin with en-suite

Day 6 (B,L,D)

An early start this morning to look for the Hooded Parrot.

After breakfast we have the option of looking around the Railway Station Museum or Copperfield Recreation Dam, which is 6km from the township and is a cool deep lake, great for swimming. 

Leaving Pine Creek, we head north again and take the unsealed (dirt) Marrakai Track back onto the Arnhem Highway. This track is great for spotting woodland species such as Chestnut-backed Button-quail, Black-tailed Treecreeper, Varied Sitella, Gouldian Finch and the Red-backed Kingfisher. 

Our destination this afternoon is Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve. 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).  

Overnight Dinner, Bed & Breakfast accommodation- Eden at Fogg Dam- rooms with shared bathroom

Eden has extensive native bush and backs onto Harrison Dam so they enjoy prolific birdlife as well as other wildlife. It’s also a certified Organic Tropical Fruit Farm.

In the evenings listen for calls of the Bush Stone Curlew, Orange-footed Scrub Fowl, Barking Owl, Large-tailed Nightjar and perhaps the howl of dingoes. Or you can go spotlighting for night birds, frogs, etc while taking advantage of clear skies for incredible star gazing.

Day 7 (B,L)

We’re up early again this morning to explore Fogg Dam.

As well as the wetlands, we can take 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. 

Nearby are Harrison Dam (at the back of Eden) and Beatrice Lagoons. At Harrison Dam you may see Black-breasted Buzzard, Spotted Harrier, Little Curlew, Long-toed Stint, Brush Cuckoo, Oriental Cuckoo, Yellow Chat and Zitting Cisticola.

Beatrice Lagoons are home to Garganey, Plumed Whistling-Duck, Green Pygmy-goose, White-browed Crake, Spotless Crake, Buff-banded Rail, Comb-crested Jacana, little Curlew, Oriental Pratincole, Red-necked Avocet. 

This afternoon we drive back to Darwin, arriving at approximately 6pm.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

• 1 night accommodation at Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge in a lodge room.

• 1 night accommodation at Eden at Fogg Dam B & B

• 2 nights cabin accommodation at the Pine Creek Railway Resort and Nitmiluk Gorge

• 1 night in a motel room at Gagudju Lodge Cooinda

• 1 night in a Bush Bungalow

• Mary River Wetlands Cruise

• 2 hour Sunset Yellow Waters Cruise

• 2 hour Dawn Breakfast cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge

• Kakadu park entry Tickets
• Kakadu birds check list

Exclusions:

• Pre & Post tour accommodation
• Travel insurance

• Arrival / departure flights

• Alcohol 

• Binoculars- please bring your own