Kookaburra Tagalong Tours | Arnhem Land Adventure

Tour Description

This unique journey has been organised in consultation with communities in Arnhem Land, and our experienced guides are able to gain access to several areas off limits to the average 4WD enthusiast.

The tour officially begins in Mataranka and we travel on the Central Arnhem Road (CAR) to our first camp on beautiful Blue Mud Bay. There will be ample time to fish, relax and participate in some meaningful cultural experiences. We then travel to Nhulunbuy Township for supplies and there will be opportunities to explore this remote community. With two more scenic coastal 3-night camps on our itinerary, we will explore the nearby beaches. There are options to drive and/or walk as there are walking tracks connecting several of the beaches near our campsites. Back on the Stuart Highway, we will travel north to Katherine. There will also be time to experience Kakadu National Park and Jabiru before tackling the famous crocodile infested Cahill’s Crossing. Garig Gunak Barlu National Park is on the Cobourg Peninsular and we will camp at Smith Point. Upon our return we will stop at Jabiru and the tour will finish at Katherine Gorge after 20 days of spectacular scenery and adventure.

HIghlights

Unique cultural experiences
Visit Aboriginal communities & gain local knowledge
Pristine coastal campsites & brilliant night skies
Opportunities to fish, walk and/or just relax
Magnificent scenery & wildlife sightings

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Costs

$8,500 per vehicle per couple
$2,100 per extra person
Guide’s passenger (catered) $8,200 (limited availability)

Tour Dates

28 May to 16 June 2022
22 June to 11 July 2022
12 September to 1 October 2022

LEAD IN DAYS

For those who are new to driving in the outback, special arrangements can be made to join the convoy earlier with only minimal camping costs to be paid.

Driving time is provided as a basic guide however road conditions and the duration of breaks each day, will determine the actual time on the road between camps.

Day 1

After making your own way (or see LEAD IN DAYS) to Mataranka, there will be a briefing to meet your guides and fellow adventurers and ask all those last-minute questions.

Day 2

250km (3hr)

Leaving Mataranka, we head north on the Stuart Highway and turn off towards East Arnhem Land on the Central Arnhem Road. Our first stop is the Aboriginal community of Wulgala (Beswick) where we can view the incredible local artwork. Access for beautiful Beswick Falls may also be arranged. Another 60km further and we can marvel at Jurassic Park Lookout’s extensive views. Our camp for the night is beside the Mainora River at Mainora Store.

Day 3

420km (6hr 30)

After leaving Mainora Store, there is a long drive to the Baiyala turn off however, looking for the huge variety of wildlife that calls East Arnhem Land home will keep us amused. From Baniyala Community, we make our way to Dholuwuy Campground located on spectacular Blue Mud Bay in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Day 4 & 5

Campsites offer direct beach access, fresh water, picnic tables, a sheltered kitchen, fire pits, showers and a composting toilet. During our time there, we will have a unique opportunity to experience highlights of the local culture. There will be ample time to enjoy the magnificent coastal scenery and all the outdoor activities associated with this pristine location.

Day 6

210km (3hr)

We leave stunning Blue Mud Bay and say farewell to the Baiyala community before turning north on the Central Arnhem Road. Just 55km south of Nhlunbuy is Guwatjurumurru (Giddy River) with its shady picnic area and freshwater stream. Nhulunbuy is a picturesque town on the Gove Peninsula and there, we will stock up on food & fuel supplies There will be time to explore this thriving town before we regroup to drive 11km to Rainbow Cliff, where our campground is set upon a small cliff overlooking the water.

Day 7 & 8

While camping just 15 minutes from town, guests can vary their adventure according to their needs. Perhaps driving to Gove Boat Club for lunch and then further afield to Crocodile Creek appeals. Art Galleries and cultural experiences are on offer in Nhulunbuy Township and even optional Fishing Charters can be arranged. There are plenty of opportunities to explore the local beaches and lookouts. Just basking in the views of this sheer section of the coastline where cliffs plunge over 40m into the sea can not be overrated.

Day 9

50km (1hr 5)

After a quick detour into Nhulunbuy to restock our supplies, it is time to head south to our next camp at Garanham (Macassan Beach).This campsite with plenty of shade, is close to a long, wide beach of white sand which contrasts with the layers of laterite that run parallel to the coast. Walking tracks to Bariŋura (Little Bondi Beach), Ŋumuy (Turtle Beach) north of camp and Binydjarrŋa (Daliwuy Bay) south of camp are an option to exploring by 4WD.

Day 10 & 11

Walking and/or driving, to explore the pristine coastline, fishing or just soaking up the stunning scenery are activities to select, according to your desire. One highlight not to be missed however, is Wurrwurrwuy, where a Yolngu record of the annual visits of the Macassan traders is recorded as stone pictures. Here visitors can walk among the stone pictures and learn a little about the history of Yolngu contact with Macassans over hundreds of years.

Day 12

450km (7hr)

Travelling south back to our previous camp by Mainora River, we’ll be on the lookout for wildlife during our long driving day. We will make some scenic comfort stops at places like Giddy River and visit the well-stocked store at Bulman community for fuel and refreshments towards the end of our drive. This is our last night camping in East Arnhem Land.

Day 13

342km (4hr)

Back on the Stuart Highway, we drive north to the service centre of Katherine. After stopping for lunch and a refreshing dip at Katherine Hot Springs there will be an opportunity to restock supplies. Our camp for the night is at Pine Creek, where we can enjoy great amenities and visit the quirky termite mound mud brick tavern with its spectacular locally created ironwork.

Day 14

160km (1hr 40)

With a short drive day, we have time to explore the museums, lookout and parks of Pine Creek before checking our supplies and heading east to Kakadu National Park.

Day 15 & 16

This bush camp with toilets and hot showers is about 6 km from Cooinda and is a great base for day trips to nearby Kakadu National Park. The itinerary is flexible and allows for exploration of the many natural attractions Kakadu has to offer including numerous waterfalls, waterholes and walking tracks. Jabiru Township with its scenic lake is 50km away.

Day 17

316km (5hr)

From our camp near Cooinda, we will pass through Jabiru and rendezvous at the infamous crocodile infested Cahills Crossing to coincide with low tide. After navigating our way to Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsular, we will set up camp at scenic Smith Point, where facilities include showers, & composting toilets.

Day 18 & 19

We have two wonderful days to explore the Coburg Peninsula and will visit Black Point Cultural Centre to see the display of Aboriginal, Macassan and European histories of the area. Anglers can try their luck for mackerel, queenfish, trevally, shark, snapper and a variety of reef fish, while soaking up the serenity of this truly remote location.

Day 20

310km (4hrs 45)

We farewell this pristine part of the world, with one of the world’s most ancient cultures and make our way back to Cahills Crossing, where once again timing to catch low tide will be essential. Once back in the Jabiru region, we will enjoy the excellent facilities provided by Kakadu Lodge Caravan Park.

Day 21

350km (4hr)

After passing through Pine Creek, we will turn south towards Katherine and take the 20km detour to Edith Falls for our lunch break and a chance to swim and perhaps take a short walk. Our next stop will be at Katherine to replenish supplies, before driving 30km into Nitmiluk National Park, where a deep gorge has been carved through ancient sandstone. This is our final night on tour and a chance to farewell our fellow adventurers with a celebratory meal.

POST TOUR

Nitmiluk Campground is a convenient base from which to experience the beauty of Katherine Gorge so please book some additional nights here to explore the region further. With the more challenging and remote travel completed, this also provides an ideal opportunity to explore further afield in the Northern Territory on your own.

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Testimonials

A Fantastic Trip

In 2018, I joined Ken & Ross in a convoy of 7 vehicles to explore the Simpson Desert. It was a fantastic trip, and the landscape was spectacular. We travelled from Birdsville across the Simpson Desert and returned via the lesser-known Madigan Line. I felt totally included in the group and the atmosphere of fun and banter around the campfire each night was memorable. This was a trip I’d been wanting to do for years however I just didn’t have the confidence or the CAN DO attitude to tackle it on my own. Travelling tagalong style, I knew that my safety was never in doubt and that certainly changed my attitude and increased my confidence. The trip was well-organised and informative, and the communication was excellent. When we arrived back in Birdsville to find our original route flooded, the team were quick to plan an alternative so that our adventure could continue. Good onya Ross & Kenny!

Cheers, Paul

Would I do another tag-along, yes in a heartbeat

We joined the tag-along tour for a Simpson Desert crossing. At first I thought it was just another added expense, as we usually did our own thing. After a very short time we were bogged in a very difficult situation, which with the combined experience, sharing of equipment, and the company and help of the others in the group, disaster was averted. Puncture repairs and tyre changes are certainly made easier with assistance from your fellow travellers, as they normally happen in the most difficult circumstances. Entry to normally closed areas was accessed with preplanned permits and permission to enjoy sites not normally seen. Advice on carrying petrol and alcohol were advised to avoid hefty fines of up to $30,000, and or jail in some areas. Permits are long drawn out affairs, that are expensive, especially for single tourers, and can be explicit on times of arrival and transitioning some lands that have many hidden treasures not accessible to most. The comfort of having experienced guides and support in times of 4WD'ing difficult terrain is fantastic, along with the fellowship in the evening, and discussing the day gone, and the challenges ahead. Providing your own food and meal requirements was important to me, as I have some special medical and dietary requirements. Safety and backup is important when exploring out of the way places, which was well covered by the tour leaders. Would I do another tag-along, yes in a heartbeat, and we have booked two more trip for this year.

Rodger

Very organised and a great leader

To whom it may concern I have known Ross for several years and have accompanied him on a couple of his trips. He was very organised and a great leader, taking me to very interesting places. He has a huge interest in our country and I think him sharing that with everyone would be a fantastic thing for him to do. He is a great person, has a wonderful sense of humour and is heaps of fun to be around. I wish him all the best in his business venture.

Debbie Gridley