Reefs, Rainforests and Savannah

Darwin & Kakadu National Park - Private Tour

Day 1: Darwin. On arrival in Darwin, you will be transferred by private vehicle to your downtown accommodation. 

Accommodation: Mindil Beach Resort (Superior Spa King Room)

Day 2: Fogg Dam. After pickup in Darwin, your first stop is Fogg Dam Reserve, known for its year-round water coverage which assures its position as an important feeding and roosting site for a wide variety of waterbirds & savanna wood-land birds - including Forest and Azure Kingfishers, Magpie Geese, spoonbills, egrets, ibis, herons, Whistling, Black & Brahminy Kites and cormorants. 

The next stop is the picturesque Leaning Tree Lagoon, often covered in water lilies, making it a favourite for photographers and birdwatchers. Here, you can capture the iconic Comb-crested Jacana before enjoying lunch. The final destination is Cooinda for the renowned Yellow Water Cruise in Kakadu. This pristine billabong is teeming with wildlife, including Saltwater Crocodiles, White-bellied Sea Eagles, and over 280 bird species such as Magpie Geese, Plumed Whistling-Ducks, Black-necked Storks, and Azure Kingfishers. The cruise offers an unforgettable opportunity to observe this diverse ecosystem up close. 

Accommodation: Lords Private Camp | Meals: BLD

Day 3: Kakadu National Park. This morning at Lord's private campsite, you'll have the chance to observe early morning birds in the savanna woodland, including Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Little Corellas, Blue-winged Kookaburra and with some luck, the Great Bowerbird near its bower. After breakfast, you'll head to the southern end of Kakadu National Park, known for its ancient ridges formed by volcanic activity. These ridges divide woodlands and lead to pristine waterfalls and plunge pools. A one-kilometre walk through a sub-monsoon rainforest leads to Maguk Falls, where you can enjoy an optional refreshing swim in crystal-clear waters. The area is also home to unique plants like the Salmon Gum and Yellow Bladderwort orchid. Birdwatchers may also spot the Rainbow Pitta, Black-breasted Buzzard, and other species during the visit.

Accommodation: Lords Private Camp | Meals: BLD

Arhhem Land - Private Tour

Day 4: Arnhem Land: Today, you are privileged to visit Aboriginal Lands which Lords Kakadu & Anrhemland Safaris have a special permit to visit. Departing the Northern region of Kakadu National Park, cross Cahill's Crossing on the East Alligator River and enter Arnhem Land.

A 15-kilometre (10-mile) scenic drive to the Gunbalanya Aboriginal community provides some of the best driving views in the Top End with floodplains, billabongs & the Arnhem Land escarpment. This is an ideal environment to encounter the beautifully coloured Rainbow-bee Eaters, Long-tailed Finches, Whistling Kites, various kingfishers along with many waterbirds including Yellow-billed Spoonbills, egrets, ibis, herons and Magpie Geese.

Upon arrival at Gunbalanya, the group will visit the Injalak Arts Centre. Here you have the opportunity to meet and watch traditional local artists in action. Established in 1989, Injalak Arts is an Aboriginal organisation supporting the production of quality Aboriginal art. Today, Injalak artists produce authentic art inspired by ancient dreamtime stories, images from nearby rock art galleries and an unbroken link between the present generation of Kunwinjku people and their ancestors.

The area includes the flood plains of the East Alligator River that are covered by water from December to April and a rocky sandstone plateau rising up to 200 metres above the plains. The stone country of the Arnhem Land plateau was laid down 1650 million years ago and today provides habitat for species such as the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon, Brolga, numerous species of duck, heron, wood-land birds, Black & Brown Falcons, Sandstone Thrush, Channel-billed Cuckoos and Pheasant Coucals. The group returns to Darwin at approximately 5:00 pm. 

Accommodation: Mindil Beach Resort (Superior Spa King Room) | Meals: BL

Frankland Islands National Park - Shared Tour

Day 5: Cairns. On arrival into Cairns, you will be transferred by private vehicle to your Cairns accommodation for a day at leisure.

Accommodation: Crystalbrook Riley (Panoramic Sea View Room) | Meals: B

Day 6: Frankland Islands National Park & Great Barrier Reef. Your tropical island adventure begins with an air-conditioned coach pickup from Cairns, heading south through the stunning UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest and vast sugar cane fields. You'll pass Walsh's Pyramid, the tallest natural freestanding pyramid in the world, before arriving at Deeral, just 45 minutes from Cairns.

From Deeral, board the Turtle Islander vessel for a peaceful 30-minute cruise along the Mulgrave River, surrounded by lush rainforest and mangroves teeming with birdlife, including kingfishers, ibis, and spoonbills, as well as Saltwater Crocodiles. The boat then ventures into the traditional sea country of the Mandingalby Yidinji and Gungandji peoples, reaching Normanby Island, just 10 kilometres offshore.

Here, you'll explore sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant fringing reefs, perfect for snorkelling to see colourful corals, tropical fish and turtles, with an expert crew and marine biologist on hand. With limited tour numbers, you can enjoy a range of activities, including guided snorkel experiences, kayaking, a semi-submersible ride, paddle boarding, and a guided island walk with a marine biologist.

Accommodation: Crystalbrook Riley (Panoramic Sea View Room) | Meals: BL

Daintree National Park - Shared Tour

Day 7: Daintree National Park. Enjoy a leisurely morning, before being picked up at midday, to visit the ancient Daintree Rainforest, a 180-million-year-old ecosystem spanning 120,000 hectares and home to Australia's highest diversity of rainforest mammals. The journey offers breathtaking views along the Great Barrier Reef Drive, one of Australia's most scenic coastal highways. Upon arriving at Daintree National Park, you'll enjoy afternoon tea before embarking on a serene Daintree River Wildlife Cruise aboard a solar-powered vessel. This eco-friendly cruise provides opportunities to spot Saltwater Crocodiles and many of the region's 420 bird species, including kingfishers, cormorants, and Brahminy Kites.

Continuing to Cape Tribulation, you'll explore a rare location where the rainforest meets the sea, guided by an expert wildlife guide. The evening includes a memorable dining experience in the rainforest, followed by a night walk to observe nocturnal wildlife. Your guide will share insights on the 3,000 plant species and various crepuscular and nocturnal animals, such as the Daintree River Ringtail Possum and Northern Long-nosed Bandicoot, enhancing your unique experience of the Wet Tropics. Arrive back in Cairns at 10:30 pm.

Accommodation: Crystalbrook Riley (Panoramic Sea View Room) | Meals: BD

Atherton Tablelands - Private Tour

Day 8: Atherton Tablelands. Departing early from Cairns, you will journey to the Atherton Tablelands' highlands to enjoy stunning panoramic views of this World Heritage-listed area. Upon arriving at Danbulla State Forest, you'll visit the Cathedral Fig Tree, a massive 500-year-old strangler tree standing 50 meters tall with a 39-meter trunk circumference.

Guided by an expert, you'll explore prime birdwatching spots to see a variety of songbirds, including the Red-backed Fairy-wren, Golden Bowerbird, and Victoria's Riflebird. The next stop is Lake Barrine, a crater lake formed by ancient volcanic activity. After a delicious morning tea, your guide will share insights into the lakeside rainforest's flora and fauna. Enjoy a one-hour lake cruise for wildlife and photo opportunities, where you might spot Red-legged Pademelons, Musky Rat Kangaroos, and various birds. Following a seafood lunch, you'll search for the elusive Platypus. The day concludes with breathtaking views at Milla Milla Lookout and an option to swim at Lake Eacham or search for the iconic Lumholtz Tree-Kangaroo.

Accommodation: Crystalbrook Riley (Panoramic Sea View Room) | Meals: BL