Northern Territory
The Top End of Australia is a spectacular area rich in Aboriginal culture and with a coastline of tidal inlets and islands, a huge variety of wildlife, bird life and thousands of square kilometres of national parks criss-crossed by waterways, spectacular gorges and valleys.
Kakadu National Park has been declared a World Heritage area for both its natural and cultural importance. Covering almost 20,000 square kilometres it is Australia’s largest National Park, housing a magnificent collection of flood plains, billabongs, woodlands, rock escarpments and dramatic waterfalls. Recorded to date are 275 species of birds, 75 species of reptiles, 25 species of frogs and over 10,000 species of insects including 1,500 species of butterflies and moths. This land is over 2,000 million years old and has been inhabited by Aboriginal Australians for more than 50,000 years.
Arnhem Land’s harsh environment and remoteness has resulted in the better perservation of the region’s Aboriginal culture. It is important to visit this area with a guide who understands this rich heritage and respects the wishes of the traditional land owners. The labyrinth of caves and rock overhangs reveal paintings that detail the spiritual and daily life of the Aboriginal people, some dating as far back as 50,000 years.
Arnhem Land is not only a cultural destination – the escarpment, floodplains and woodlands are full of wildlife. It is not unusual to see huge crocodiles sunning themselves on the bank whilst fishing for Barramundi, or boating on a billabong while magpie geese line the shore and White-bellied Sea Eagles soar high above the paperbarks. The Cobourg Peninsula, also offers the chance to see marine life including dolphins, sea turtles, crocodiles and Dugongs.
Alternative Suggestions
Bamurru Plains
An exclusive bush camp on the edge of Kakadu National Park on the Mary River floodplains