Darwin and the Top End
Our trip concentrates on the biologically rich zones of the 'Top End' of Northern Australia, giving us time to savour some of these fabulously productive wilderness areas.
© Steve Knott/Nature Portfolio
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
We start in the hot and humid country of the 'Top End' around Darwin, exploring the mangroves and monsoon rainforests for local specialities including the dazzling Rainbow Pitta. We continue on to the magnificent Kakadu National Park. Ancient sandstone escarpments holding pockets of rainforest rise above the luxuriant flood plains of the great rivers and contrast greatly with the nearby expansive arid rock pavements.
Guide Price per person sharing: £ 2,470 (Based on a tour for two persons)
Deposit: £ 400 per person
Please enquire for single supplement.
Price includes: 6 nights accommodation, specialist private guide from arrival at airport on day 1 to afternoon of day 6, transport including airport transfer on day 1, meals as mentioned in itinerary, entry fees and activities specifically mentioned in itinerary.
Price excludes: Flights to and from Darwin, airport transfers on day 7, some meals, personal expenditure, alcoholic beverages, phone calls.
Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive at Darwin airport where you will be met by your private specialist birding/wildlife guide. Spend the day birding around the Darwin area. Includes a visit to some mangroves and a nearby monsoon forest (Collared Kingfisher and Red-headed Honeyeater, Rainbow Pitta, Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, Rainbow Bee-eater and Yellow Oriole). Also an opportunity to see some freshwater fish, turtles, butterflies and Agile Wallabies and Dingo in this area. Return to Darwin late afternoon and own arrangements for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel in Darwin (en suite rooms). Meals: Lunch
Day 2
Leave Darwin this morning; stop at nearby lagoons and dams to look for water birds (Magpie Goose, Green Pygmy-goose, Pied Heron, Glossy Ibis, Brolga, and Comb-crested Jacana). Crimson Finch and flocks of Chestnut-breasted Mannikin are sometimes seen feeding here. A lunch stop at a river crossing will include a search for Mangrove Golden Whistler and Shining Flycatcher, as well as Estuarine crocodiles which are often seen as the tide exposes the muddy banks. Arrive at your hotel late afternoon where there is a pool available for swimming. Dinner at the hotel. After dinner there is the option of night-spotting (Barking Owl, Tawny Frogmouth, Large-tailed Nightjar and Australian Owlet-Nightjar). Accommodation: Hotel near Kakadu (en suite rooms). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 3
Travel to Kakadu National Park today. Possibility of Brolga and a variety of raptors (Black-breasted Buzzard, Spotted Harrier and Brown Falcon). A nearby wetland in Kakadu National Park provides an opportunity to view water birds (Plumed and Wandering Whistling Ducks, Radjah Shelduck, Black-necked Stork, Magpie Goose and Green Pygmy-goose). Also a chance to visit the Visitor Centre. Then travel to Ubirr and the spectacular Arnhem Land escarpment. The opportunity to view several fascinating Aboriginal rock art sites and wildlife such as Short-eared Rock Wallaby. Own arrangements for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel in Kakadu (en suite rooms). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 4
Visit Nourlangie Rock, which is also famous for its Aboriginal rock art. Birds such as Banded Fruit-dove, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Variegated Fairy-wren, and Great Bowerbird are also found here and there is also a chance of seeing Black Wallaroo. Also a possibility of taking a 2km circuit walk to search for Varied Lorikeet, Red-winged Parrot, Blue-winged Kookaburra, and Olive-backed Oriole. There is also an option of taking a late afternoon cruise on the Yellow Waters Lagoon to see a range of water birds and crocodiles. Own arrangements for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel in Kakadu (en suite rooms). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 5
Leave Kakadu and head southward. Chance of Black Falcon, Red Goshawk, Hooded Parrot and Gouldian Finch. Arrive in Katherine late afternoon and own arrangements for dinner tonight. Accommodation: Hotel in Katherine (en suite rooms). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 6
Katherine area to search for Australian Bustard as well as a variety of raptors (Square-tailed Kite, Black-breasted Buzzard, Red Goshawk, Wedge-tailed Eagle and Black Falcon). Then return to Darwin, birding along the way. Arrive back in Darwin late afternoon, and farewell your local guide. Own arrangements for dinner this evening. Accommodation: Hotel in Darwin (en suite rooms). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 7
Depart for your next destination. Meals: none.
Day 1
Arrive at Darwin airport where you will be met by your private specialist birding/wildlife guide. Spend the day birding around the Darwin area. Includes a visit to some mangroves and a nearby monsoon forest (Collared Kingfisher and Red-headed Honeyeater, Rainbow Pitta, Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, Rainbow Bee-eater and Yellow Oriole). Also an opportunity to see some freshwater fish, turtles, butterflies and Agile Wallabies and Dingo in this area. Return to Darwin late afternoon and own arrangements for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel in Darwin (en suite rooms). Meals: Lunch
Day 2
Leave Darwin this morning; stop at nearby lagoons and dams to look for water birds (Magpie Goose, Green Pygmy-goose, Pied Heron, Glossy Ibis, Brolga, and Comb-crested Jacana). Crimson Finch and flocks of Chestnut-breasted Mannikin are sometimes seen feeding here. A lunch stop at a river crossing will include a search for Mangrove Golden Whistler and Shining Flycatcher, as well as Estuarine crocodiles which are often seen as the tide exposes the muddy banks. Arrive at your hotel late afternoon where there is a pool available for swimming. Dinner at the hotel. After dinner there is the option of night-spotting (Barking Owl, Tawny Frogmouth, Large-tailed Nightjar and Australian Owlet-Nightjar). Accommodation: Hotel near Kakadu (en suite rooms). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 3
Travel to Kakadu National Park today. Possibility of Brolga and a variety of raptors (Black-breasted Buzzard, Spotted Harrier and Brown Falcon). A nearby wetland in Kakadu National Park provides an opportunity to view water birds (Plumed and Wandering Whistling Ducks, Radjah Shelduck, Black-necked Stork, Magpie Goose and Green Pygmy-goose). Also a chance to visit the Visitor Centre. Then travel to Ubirr and the spectacular Arnhem Land escarpment. The opportunity to view several fascinating Aboriginal rock art sites and wildlife such as Short-eared Rock Wallaby. Own arrangements for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel in Kakadu (en suite rooms). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 4
Visit Nourlangie Rock, which is also famous for its Aboriginal rock art. Birds such as Banded Fruit-dove, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Variegated Fairy-wren, and Great Bowerbird are also found here and there is also a chance of seeing Black Wallaroo. Also a possibility of taking a 2km circuit walk to search for Varied Lorikeet, Red-winged Parrot, Blue-winged Kookaburra, and Olive-backed Oriole. There is also an option of taking a late afternoon cruise on the Yellow Waters Lagoon to see a range of water birds and crocodiles. Own arrangements for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel in Kakadu (en suite rooms). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 5
Leave Kakadu and head southward. Chance of Black Falcon, Red Goshawk, Hooded Parrot and Gouldian Finch. Arrive in Katherine late afternoon and own arrangements for dinner tonight. Accommodation: Hotel in Katherine (en suite rooms). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 6
Katherine area to search for Australian Bustard as well as a variety of raptors (Square-tailed Kite, Black-breasted Buzzard, Red Goshawk, Wedge-tailed Eagle and Black Falcon). Then return to Darwin, birding along the way. Arrive back in Darwin late afternoon, and farewell your local guide. Own arrangements for dinner this evening. Accommodation: Hotel in Darwin (en suite rooms). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 7
Depart for your next destination. Meals: none.