Northern Territory Cultural Journey

Itinerary Highlights

Explore Darwin and its cultural attractions
Learn the rich aboriginal traditions and heritage at Litchfield National Park
Visit Mikkinj Valley for spectacular scenery and wildlife spotting
Marvel at Bruce Munro's remarkable creation - Field Of Lights - as darkness falls at Uluru
Best time to travel May - October

What's Included

Accommodation Throughout
Domestic Flights
International Flights

12 nights from £5,459 per person

Lucy

Travel Specialist

01244 722 137

I'm here to tailor-make your perfect Australasia holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.

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Take a cultural journey through the Northern Territory and Australia’s Outback. Join Aboriginal tour guides and explore the Top End’s attractions while gaining an insight to aboriginal traditions and the areas pioneering heritage. Understand how Aboriginal people make use of natural resources for food and medicine, visit rock art sites and learn the art of Dot Painting. In Alice Springs you will visit the Royal Fly Doctors Service from where medical aid is despatched to remote reaches of the Outback and visit The School of Air where children that have no access to school are educated over the radio. Explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, one of Australia’s most iconic attractions, where you will hear stories from the local Anangu people and wander through the Field of Lights art installation, made up of 50,000 glass spheres that light up as darkness falls. Complete your tour in Sydney where you will take an Aboriginal Dreaming tour of Sydney’s historic Rocks region and tour the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Darwin

Darwin

On arrival in to Darwin you will be transferred by private vehicle to your hotel. The day is yours to explore Darwin and its cultural attractions. Visit the cities many art galleries showcasing modern and contemporary art and traditional dot paintings. Darwin is bursting with museums depicting criminal history, immigration, World War II, the Flying Doctor Service and Patakijiyali Museum of history and culture.

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Day 2 Indigenous Litchfield National Park Spectacular

Darwin

This tour will leave you taking home a deep understanding of the Top End’s natural and cultural environment. You will discover magnificent scenery, rich aboriginal traditions and pioneer heritage. Swim in natural pools, understand how local Aboriginal people make use of natural bush resources and termite mounds. Visit waterfalls and take a dip in the warm spring waters at Woolaning Spring. Lunch of barramundi, crocodile and kangaroo is included.

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Day 3 Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park

Collect your car hire from the Darwin rental depot and make your way along the Arnhem Highway. We suggest a stop at The Windows on the Wetlands Visitor Centre for panoramic views of the wetlands or a cruise on one of the billabongs in search of crocodiles and bird-spotting. Continue to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock) where you can walk to some of the world’s most impressive and oldest rock paintings from 20,000 years ago. Hotel - Mercure Crocodile Hotel

Day 4 Arnhem Land Cultural and Rock Art Tour

Arnhem Land

Indigenous culture is still dominant in Arnhem Land, an area where access is restricted to a small group of specialist tour guides. You will visit Injalak Hill (Long Tom Dreaming) where some of the best rock art examples in Western Arnhem Land are found. Meet Aboriginal artists at Injalak Arts & Crafts centre in Oenpelli and drive in to Mikkinj Valley for spectacular scenery and wildlife spotting. Hotel - Mercure Crocodile Hotel

Day 5 Darwin to Alice Springs

Alice Springs

Take a short flight to Alice Springs where this afternoon your ‘A Town Like Alice’ tour will take you to several attractions of this outback town. Learn how children with no access to school are educated by radio at The School of Air. Visit the Royal Flying Doctors Service who reaches remote outback towns with medical aid and take in views of the MacDonnell Ranges from the top of Anzac Hill.

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Deluxe suite at Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, Australia

The goat and bucket restaurant at Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters, Australia

Day 6 Mbantua Dinner

Alice Springs

Explore Alice Springs at your leisure, visit the town’s outstanding galleries and museums where you can learn aboriginal dreamtime stories through art and exhibits such as the Yeperenye (Caterpillar) story. In the evening you will head to a magnificent bush setting for dinner cooked in a bush oven as the sun sets.

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Day 7 Alice Springs to Ayers Rock Resort

To gain a real understanding of the size and vastness of the outback and Australia’s Red Centre we suggest taking the scheduled road transfer from Alice Springs to Ayers Rock Resort, a mere six-hour journey. Alternatively, for a supplement take the one-hour flight. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the facilities. We suggest booking the Sounds of Silence or Tali Wiru dinner for a unique outback dining experience.

Staying at

Restaurant, Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel

Guest bedroom, Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel

Day 8 Morning Uluru Highlights and Evening Astro Tours

Travel towards Uluru and watch the light change on its vast shape in the early dawn as the sun rises. You will hear about the Mala people and their stories of Liru (poisonous snake) and Kuniya (python). You will visit Mutitjulu Waterhole before driving around the base of Uluru. In the evening marvel at the spectacular night sky and learn more about stars and the Milky Way from your astronomer guide.

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Day 9 Morning Kata Tjuta Tour, Dot Painting and Field of Lights

Watch the changing colours as the sun rises over the 36 domes of Kata Tjuta. Enjoy a gourmet picnic breakfast and learn about the significance of the men’s sacred ceremonial site at Walpa Gorge. This afternoon you will join Anangu artists for an introduction to the unique art of dot painting. In the evening watch sunset over Uluru while the magnificent spectacle of 50,000 glass spheres come to life and create a spectacular desert light show.

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Day 10 Ayers Rock Resort to Sydney

Fly from Uluru to Sydney where you will be transferred to your hotel and have the remainder of the day and evening is free for you to explore and enjoy the vibrant dining scene.

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Harbour Rocks Hotel Sydney - MGallery by Sofitel

Eric's Bar at Harbour Rocks Hotel, Sydney

Garden Terrace at Harbour Rocks Hotel, Sydney

Day 11 Rocks Dreaming Tour

For a unique perspective of Sydney’s historic neighbourhood ‘The Rocks’ take the 90-minute Rocks Dreaming Aboriginal Heritage walking tour. Start at Cadman’s Cottage, the second oldest surviving residential building in Sydney. Learn how Aboriginals use natural resources such as lilly pilly and cabbage palm tree at Bligh & Barney’s native flora reserve. Take in spectacular Sydney Harbour views at Campbells Cove and learn about the spiritual importance of the harbour and Opera House/Bennelong Point to the Gadigal people.

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Day 12 Sydney Opera House & Dine Tour

Take a tour of what is considered one of the most iconic and greatest buildings of all time. You will learn of the saga behind creating the world’s most famous opera house. This small group tour takes you through the public areas and performance halls. Finish at Opera Bar where you can choice a main course and dine Sydney’s spectacular harbour as your back drop.

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