8 Day Top End National Parks & Cobourg Adventure Tour

This package is based on 5 days touring with Sacred Earth Safaris and then flying to Peppers Seven Spirit Bay for a 3 night stay.

Day 1 (L,D)

You will be collected from your accommodation at 7.30am this morning for your 5 day 4WD safari of the Top End National Parks.

Today is spent exploring Litchfield National Park, which is around 1 ½ hours south of Darwin and we enter the park on the unsealed dirt road.

Enjoy swimming at Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole, which are a series of small waterfalls that are a great place to simply sit and relax. Your guide will also lead a walk through the monsoon vineforest to the top of Wangi Falls.

View Tolmer Falls, which has several colonies of the rare Ghost and Orange Horseshoe Bats and visit the amazing magnetic termite mounds.

Late this afternoon, we leave Litchfield to head to this evenings camp at Mt Bundy Station. The station has an interesting history and is set in a picturesque bush setting, attracting a multitude of wildlife.

There may be time this evening for a walk around the station or you can visit the station animals, have a fish in the Adelaide River or take a sunset horse ride (subject to time and availability).

Overnight riverside camp - Mt Bundy Station

Day 2 (B,L,D)

This morning, we will make our way to Katherine Township and out to the Hot Springs. Enjoy a soothing dip in the thermal pools or sit under the small waterfall.

After lunch, we make our way to Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), where you get to view the Gorge from 2 different perpectives- from the air and by boat.

Firstly take a spectacular helicopter flight ! The 13 Gorge Helicopter tour gives an aerial perspective of the breathtaking gorge, a maze of waterways sculpted from the sandstone over countless millennia by the Katherine River. The flight is enhanced with a remote landing in the rugged rock country. This is a fabulous opportunity to capture some truly amazing photographs.

This epic air adventure is all about remoteness and beauty that will give an appreciation for Outback Australia that will stay with you forever !

Now you’ve seen the gorge from the air, it’s time to see it on ground level, as you cruise for 2 hours viewing the beautiful scenery and discovering the customs of the traditional owners, the Jawoyn people.

There is some free time late this afternoon for you to take a walk into the gorge or enjoy a swim at the campground resort- style pool.

Overnight camp - Nitmiluk Gorge

Day 3 (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we will make our way north towards Kakadu National Park.

We spend this afternoon enjoying Gunlom (waterfall Creek), where we have a swim in the large plungepool at the base of the falls, followed by lunch. There is an optional hike to the top of Gunlom, where pristine rockpools and a fantastic view await you.

Late this afternoon, board the sunset Yellow Waters billabong cruise, with it’s prolific birdlife and wonderful variety of plants. Estuarine crocodiles are often spotted here.

Overnight camp - Mardugal campground (2 night stay)

Day 4 (B,L,D)

This morning our day will begin with a visit to Maguk (Barramundi Falls), where a walk through a paperbark forest leads to the gorge. There’s a lovely plungepool at the gorge which is great for a swim.

We’ll have a look around the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre and then back to camp for lunch.

We then head to the Nourlangie area for the afternoon and firstly to Anbangbang billabong. Then onto Nourlangie Rock, which is an ancient Aboriginal shelter. We’ll explore the area and the rock art and your guide will lead you on an interpretive walk around the site.

Overnight camp - Mardugal campground

Day 5 (B,L,D)

We have a later start this morning and after breakfast, we head to the north of the park and visit the Bowali Information Centre.

Onto Ubirr, which has some outstanding examples of Aboriginal rock art and panoramic views over the Arnhemland escarpment and floodplain. Your guide will interpret the art sites for you.

A picnic lunch will be served on the banks of the East Alligator River.

Your guide will then take you to Jabiru airport for your 45 minute scenic flight over Arnhemland and the Cobourg Peninsular.

Upon arrival at Vashon Head airstrip, you will be transferred by 4WD to Peppers Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge.

Peppers Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Resort is perfect for the adventurous or those who just want to relax. Located in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula in Aboriginal Arnhemland, entry is by permit only and extremely limited.

Superbly sited in the tropical forest, just a few metres from the sea, Peppers Seven Spirit Bay nestles among the trees in virtually untouched forest, designed to be in complete harmony with the environment.

Guests are privately housed in large, freestanding hexagonal habitats, each secluded in the bush. The ‘Tropical Habitats’ all have tranquil views as they feature five sides with floor to ceiling louvred shades and screens to admit the breeze. The habitats allow the impression of total immersion in the tropical surroundings.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included at Peppers Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge. The chef designs your menu daily incorporating the freshest produce, fresh seafood and meats creating a dining experience suited to the warm climate of Arnhem Land.

This evening, enjoy dining in tropical style in the cool of covered timber decking with unimpeded views of the Arafura Sea and the surrounding bushland.

Overnight in your Tropical Habitat, Peppers Seven Spirit Bay

Day 6 (B,L,D)

There is a wide range of activities available to you today or you can simply relax by the pool and soak up your surroundings.

Seven Spirit Bay offers a unique range of complimentary guided walks and optional adventure experiences – thrill to world famous sports fishing, cruise the secluded bays and estuaries of the Peninsula, trek one of the many nature walk trails, explore the ruins of the first colonial settlement in the area, or relax and propose a toast to a spectacular ‘Top End’ sunset.

Overnight in your Tropical Habitat, Peppers Seven Spirit Bay.

Day 7 (B,L,D)

Another day in paradise!

Choose another activity for the day, have a spa treatment or relax by the pool- the choice is yours!

Overnight in your Tropical Habitat, Peppers Seven Spirit Bay.

Day 8 (B)

This morning after breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airstrip for your return flight to Darwin.

Arrive back in Darwin at approximately 11am with transfers from the airport by own arrangement.

END ITINERARY

B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

Please note that optional extra activities are subject to availability and it is recommended that you book these in advance to avoid disappointment.

Inclusions:

• GXL Landcruiser 4WD (or similar) with professional driver guide & purpose built heavy duty trailer
• All meals as stated
• Camping fees & Equipment hire
• Sunset Yellow Waters Cruise
• 2 hour cruise at Katherine Gorge
• 13 Gorge helicopter flight at Nitmiluk Gorge with remote landing
• Return flights to Peppers Seven Spirit Bay
• 3 nights accommodation in a Tropical Habitat at Peppers Seven Spirit Bay (upgrades are available to Premium habitats at extra cost and subject to availability)
• All meals at Peppers Seven Spirit Bay
• Range of complimentary guided walks at Peppers Seven Spirit Bay

Exclusions:

• Arrival/departure flights
• Pre & Post tour accommodation
• Travel Insurance
• Alcohol
• Optional extra activities at Peppers Seven Spirit Bay
• Transfers from Darwin light aircraft to Darwin hotel or domestic airport

Please note that Peppers Seven Spirit Bay is not suitable for children under 12.

Peppers Seven Spirit Bay has a luggage limit of 10kg pp, in a soft bag. Any remaining luggage can be dropped back at your hotel by your Sacred Earth Safaris guide.

Peppers Seven Spirit Bay has a strict cancellation policy, so we strongly recommend travel insurance :

At time of reservation a 30% deposit is required

From booking date if cancelled outside – 91 days a 10% cancellation fee will apply

If cancelled 90 – 31 days the 30% deposit is non refundable

If cancelled 30 – 21 days a 50% cancellation fee applies and an invoice issued for the remaining 20%

If cancelled within 21 days of arrival 100% cancellation fee applies