Aboriginal Experiences


Trip description

Take a 4WD trip to the Pitjantjatjara Desert where with a local Aboriginal guide you'll learn about the Anangu culture and rock paintings dating back more than 20,000 years. Because traveling is also encounters, experiences, in addition to visiting the Red Centre region, Kakadu and Cairns, this tour will allow you to approach and better understand this ancestral aboriginal culture.

Agency PLATINIUM

Discover the agency :
TERRA AUSTRALIA


17 days

From : €3,330*

Day 1: Arrival in Sydney

Day 2: Sydney and Opera House Visit

Day 3: Sydney - Ayers Rock

Day 4: Ayers Rock - Aboriginal Experience in Cave Hill

Day 5: Ayers Rock - Kata Tjuta

Day 6: Ayers Rock - Darwin

Day 7: Darwin - Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Park

Day 8: Nitmiluk National Park - Kakadu National Park

Day 9: Yellow Water Cruise - Kakadu National Park

Day 10: Arnhemland - Kakadu National Park

Day 11: Ubirr - Darwin

Day 12: Darwin - Cairns

Day 13: Great Barrier Reef cruise

Day 14: Cairns - Port Douglas

Day 15: Port Douglas - Cape Tribulation

Day 16: Port Douglas

Day 17: Port Douglas - Cairns airport

Day 1 : Arrival in Sydney

Opéra de Sydney. ©michael luckett - Adobe Stock


Arrival in Sydney and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free.

The city of Sydney is built on one of the most beautiful bays in the world. The main sights are located in close proximity to the city centre. Explore the historic districts of Darling Harbour and The Rocks to the Opera House, experience the excitement of Asian life in Chinatown and Haymarket and the fashion mecca of Paddington with its pretty Victorian-style houses.

Overnight in Sydney.




Day 2 : Sydney and Opera House Visit

Les Rocks. ©Alamer - Iconotec


Half day in Sydney with English speaking guide.

Meet with your English speaking guide for a walk in the places that can only be discovered on foot: the historic Rocks district, the cradle of the Australian nation with its unique architecture and many fascinating stories. Explore the hidden walkways and hear its stories from the days of the settlers to today's Sydney. Your visit includes a tour inside the Opera House for a complete and unforgettable experience of this Australian landmark.

End of the day free.

Overnight in Sydney.




Day 3 : Sydney - Ayers Rock

Parc national de l'Uluru. ©Alamer - Iconotec


Shuttle transfer from your accommodation to Sydney Airport. Domestic flight Sydney - Ayers Rock (not included) and transfer to your accommodation.

GUIDED TOUR AND SUNSET ON ULURU IN SMALL GROUP

Heading off to one of the most famous monolithic on the planet: Uluru (Ayers Rock)! You will visit caves located at the base of Uluru with rock paintings left by Aboriginal ancestors. You will be able to grasp all the resonance and impact of this sacred place for the Aboriginals. At dusk, you will stop at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku, the sand dune where you can admire the sun setting behind Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Enjoy this special moment, together with a glass of sparkling wine and appetizers. The magic will have already worked... and the night will come to invade the place.

Overnight in Ayers Rock Resort.




Day 4 : Ayers Rock - Aboriginal Experience in Cave Hill

Homme aborigène jouant du didgeridoo. ©Ausili Tommaso


CULTURAL ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCE IN CAVE HILL IN SMALL GROUP WITH GUIDE

To live an exclusive experience in the remote region of the Pitjantjatjara Aboriginal lands, start early in the morning! This excursion will give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Australian Outback and the Red Centre Desert. On the way, you will pass Mount Conner, the third largest monolith after Uluru and Kata-Tjuta. The Aboriginal stories about the ancestors of Creation will then be shared with you.

The Anangu are the traditional owners of Cave Hill and the sacred site "The Seven Sisters", whose magnificent rock paintings illustrate the legends of the world's creation. After visiting this site, you will climb to the top of a hill to get a panoramic view of the area. On a clear day, you can see Uluru and the imposing Musgrave Mountain Range.

During this day, a "Aussie" BBQ lunch will be served. Depending on the availability of the Anangu Aboriginal community, a local guide may be present during the tour.

Overnight in Ayers Rock Resort.




Day 5 : Ayers Rock - Kata Tjuta

Kata Tjuta, les Olgas. ©Bernd LEITNER - Fotolia


SUNRISE ON KATA TJUTA IN A SMALL GROUP

Early departure for Kata Tjuta (or the Olgas Mountains), located 40 kilometres from Ayers Rock, where you will have a packed breakfast. After a short walk, you will be at the outposts to enjoy the sunrise, gradually revealing all the colour ranges of these strange rock formations, and which gives this site its full spiritual dimension. The place is sacred to the Aboriginals. You will stroll through the gigantic conglomerate walls following the Walpa Gorge, where the wind blows add a magical side to the place.

INTRODUCTION TO ABORIGINAL PAINTING: 

 

Discover Aboriginal art in the heart of the Red Centre, in Uluru! Painting is part of the traditional activities of the Anangu Aboriginals. The works they create are usually of spiritual significance, or they trace their daily lives in a symbolic way. For 1h30, an Aboriginal artist will share with you the codes of his people, explaining to you in particular the symbols associated with the "Time of Dream" (time when the world would have been born according to Aboriginal legends). The artist will especially introduce you to the technique of "dot painting", which is an integral part of the cultural heritage of his people. At the end of this workshop, you will leave with your own works, and can, if you wish, admire the paintings of local artists at the Indigenous Art Market.

Overnight in Ayers Rock Resort.




Day 6 : Ayers Rock - Darwin

GEORGE BROWN DARWIN BOTANIC GARDENS ©Nick Brundle - Shutterstock.com


Ttransfer from your accommodation to Ayers Rock Airport and domestic flight to Darwin (not included)

Pick up of your rental vehicle at Darwin Airport.

Take time to discover Darwin, the northest city of Australia. You can start by visiting the Museum & Art Gallery, which offers many permanent and temporary collections as well as local and international works of art. Then, you can head to Stokes Hill Wharf: with its restaurants and cafés, this is the perfect spot to eat at any time of the day or to do some shopping. You can then visit the Crocosaurus Cove, if you want to meet an emblematic animal of the region: the crocodile.

In the late afternoon, reach Mindil Beach, just off the city centre and spend a moment at the Mindil Beach Market (every Thursday and Sunday, between May and October): this is the focal point of all Darwin!

Overnight in Darwin.




Day 7 : Darwin - Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Park

WANGI FALLS ©Marco Saracco - Shutterstock.com


Discover the Litchfield National Park, known for its waterfalls (Florence Falls, Wangi Falls), bush walks, giant termite mounds and forests. It is also very popular for its swimming pools, which are easily accessible after short walks, for refreshment and enjoyment. You will then head to Katherine, gateway to the Nitmiluk National Park, another emblematic park of the Top End.

Overnight in Nitmiluk National Park




Day 8 : Nitmiluk National Park - Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park. ©Daniela - Fotolia


CRUISE-DISCOVERY OF 2 GORGES OF NITMILUK

Located about 300 km south of Darwin, Nitmiluk National Park is renowned for its wilderness and Aboriginal works, but also and most importantly for its deep gorges: the Katherine Gorges. No less than 13 gorges with crystal clear waters follow one another, offering a little cool freshness to many species of birds and other animals. For 2 hours, take a cruise in the Katherine Gorge and explore its towering cliffs. Keep your eyes peeled, as you can certainly see on the way some freshwater crocodiles, which have made their home in the gorges.... Albeit impressive, rest assured: these crocodiles are harmless to humans! During this cruise, you will visit the first two gorges of Katherine, before taking a short walk (1,000 metres return), during which you can observe Aboriginal art and learn more about the Jawoyn tribe's heritage.

Continue the exploration of the Nitmiluk National Park. At the end of the day, go back on the road and head to the Kakadu National Park.

Overnight in Kakadu National Park.




Day 9 : Yellow Water Cruise - Kakadu National Park

Parc national de Kakadu. ©Henri Conodul - Iconotec


SAFARI CRUISE ON THE YELLOW WATER

You will need to get up early to take part in this 2-hour cruise on the Yellow River. The departure is set at 6:45 am, because dawn is the ideal time to observe the fauna... which then wakes up very gently in front of you. The Yellow River is a wetland at the very end of Jim Jim Creek. It includes floodplains, swamps and dead river branches - the billabongs. The cruise offered here is the most prestigious in Kakadu, it is a real "safari" on the water. From your boat, you can admire an incredibly rich fauna and flora.

Now it' s time to discover the Kakadu National Park, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a real ecosystem spread over more than 20,000 km2. Its fauna is exceptionally abundant.

Kakadu contains many treasures, both cultural - such as the cave paintings of Nourlangie (25,000 years old) - and natural - the landscapes are breathtaking! Also visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre, which will provide you with information on the traditions of the Aboriginal peoples of Kakadu.

Overnight in Kakadu National Park.




Day 10 : Arnhemland - Kakadu National Park

Pétroglyphes aborigènes dans le parc national de Kakadu. ©Henri Conodul - Iconotec


DAY TRIP TO ARNHEM LANDS WITH AN ABORIGINAL GUIDE

You will travel beyond the East Alligator River in Arnhem Land, one of Australia's most remote and least visited areas. You will discover inaccessible places, including ancient rock art sites in their natural state. Your Aboriginal guide will explain to you the skills that his ancestors used to go hunting, harvesting, and more generally to live in the bush. You will meet Aboriginal artists at the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre in Oenpelli. After lunch, you will travel to the Mikinj Valley, where you will enjoy the scenery of billabongs. The fauna is rich and the ochre sandstone escarpments emerge.... You will feel the full power of Arnhem's Secret Land. 

Overnight in Kakadu National Park.




Day 11 : Ubirr - Darwin

Katherine Gorge. ©georgeclerk


This morning, you can visit the Aboriginal site of Ubirr, which has many rock paintings. Take a stroll on the rocky ridge of Narbdab, and in the distance you can see Arnhem's land and its immense and still mysterious territory... Then take the Jim Jim Road to go back to Darwin. Continue on to the Windows on the Wetlands Interpretation Centre where you can learn more about the wildlife in the Mary River National Park. Stop at Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve where you will get a first glimpse of the wildlife living in the Wetlands. You will then reach Darwin.

Overnight in Darwin.




Day 12 : Darwin - Cairns

Formations rocheuses sur la Great Ocean Road. ©kokkai


Return your rental vehicle at Darwin Airport, domestic flight to Cairns (not included) and transfer to your accommodation.

FREE TIME IN THE STREETS OF CAIRNS

Discover the small town of Cairns. Its 3 km wooden esplanade will allow you to walk along the parks, from the lagoon to the marina. The lagoon is a real oasis created in this city originally without a beach, a place designed for young and old alike, in order to enjoy the pleasures of the seaside in complete safety. Cairns also has museums, cultural centres and many shops. It is a pleasant city where you feel at home. The evenings are lively: many bars and restaurants border the esplanade and the marina.

If you want to enjoy the beach, you can also take a ferry to spend the day on Fitzroy Island off Cairns. (consult us for ferry tickets purchase)

Overnight in Cairns.




Day 13 : Great Barrier Reef cruise

Grande Barrière de corail. ©Henri Conodul - Iconotec


DREAMTIME CRUISE WITH ABORIGINAL GUIDE

The only cruise with an aboriginal crew, this is a great opportunity to discover two worlds, the Great Barrier Reef and aboriginal culture. The "Sea Rangers" of the local tribes Gimuy Walubara, Yidinji, Gunggandji, Mandingalbay and Yirrganydji present their founding myths and the underwater world to their guests. You will discover two sites of the Outer Reef, where you will be able to swim with mask and snorkel between fish and colorful corals. A glass-bottomed boat also allows you to discover the underwater world without getting wet.

Divers can also join introductory or certified dives at an additional cost on the day. After working up an appetite, enjoy a hot and cold buffet lunch with seafood on board plus a complimentary morning and afternoon tea. This cruise departs Cairns daily from the Reef Fleet Terminal at 8am and returns at 4.30pm.(Transfer to/from your hotel to the marina is included)

Overnight in Cairns.




Day 14 : Cairns - Port Douglas

PORT DOUGLAS MARINA ©EQRoy - Shutterstock.com


Shuttle transfer from Cairns to Port Douglas.

Enjoy a free day in Port Douglas. In this charming little seaside resort, the atmosphere is like that of a village. Instantly you feel like you are on holiday, the vibe is peaceful and warm. Macrossan Street, the main street, offers a wide choice of restaurants, cafes and pubs, as well as many small friendly shops.

Overnight in Port Douglas.




Day 15 : Port Douglas - Cape Tribulation

Cape Tribulation ©DarrenTierney


ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCE IN THE CAPE TRIBULATION RAINFOREST :

More than just a discovery of the region, this day will be an opportunity to meet a real Aboriginal guide, to exchange on his culture and to discover his native region, the Kuku Yalanji lands. You will learn more about the customs, beliefs and lifestyle of its people while discovering the beautiful Daintree region, and participating in some unique experiences. You will thus make an expedition in the mangrove where you will discover the traditional aboriginal fishing. You can also pick shellfish and go crab hunting with javelin. In the tropical forest, your guide will explain the use of medical and culinary plants, then you will end the day with a refreshing swim in a natural swimming pool in the middle of the forest.

Overnight in Port Douglas.




Day 16 : Port Douglas

Plage de Fraser Island. ©bjuerges


Enjoy a moment of relaxation in Port Douglas. 

Along the coast, there is a long palm-fringed beach where you can relax and unwind.

Overnight in Port Douglas.




Day 17 : Port Douglas - Cairns airport

CAIRNS BOTANIC GARDENS ©AustralianCamera - Shutterstock.com


Shuttle transfer from your accommodation to Cairns Airport.

Connection with your international flight.




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