MELBOURNE TO BRISBANE

Welcome to our 9 day winter getaway to Darwin in The Top End! With chauffeured pickup from home, we travel to Melbourne Airport. Here we’ll be greeted by Jan Kerwin, our O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours Tour Manager who will be with us for the rest of the tour. Jan will assist us with check in and see us onto the plane for our flight to Brisbane. On arrival, we are transferred to our overnight accommodation.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement / Refreshments on flight

OVERNIGHT: Hotel Grand Chancellor, BRISBANE

BRISBANE TO DARWIN

Mid morning, we transfer back to Brisbane Airport to connect with our flight to Darwin. Here we’ll be met by our O’Shannessy’s Touring Coach and crew then head straight to our hotel, home for the next seven nights, with time to settle in. We regroup late afternoon and join the Spirit of Darwin for an introductory sunset cruise on Darwin Harbour. We will see the Darwin skyline, watching the sun set while enjoying an interesting commentary and dinner. What a great way to begin our holiday in Darwin.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement / Refreshments on flight

OVERNIGHT:  Double Tree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN 

EXPLORING DARWIN

Today we take in the sights of Darwin. Many people aren’t aware of the importance of Darwin during World War II so we’ll look at the city as it is today and also learn about the involvement and history of the bombings of Darwin. The present city centre was established in 1869 and contains many of its remaining historic buildings such as the Old Court House and Government House. We see the new Parliament House built on the site of the Darwin Post Office bombed during the war, the port area plus the many other fascinating sights of Australia’s northern gateway. Our tour concludes at Stokes Hill Wharf with a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Bombing of Darwin tourist facility - two iconic stories in one iconic location! Lunchtime now and Stokes Hill Wharf is a great location for a break. Returning to our hotel, we have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the resort facilities – perhaps a dip in the pool or some retail therapy before dinner at the hotel.

OVERNIGHT: Double Tree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN

LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK

This morning, we travel south to the small township of Adelaide River – about 110 kms from Darwin. We make a brief stop at the Adelaide River War Cemetery. The war cemetery was created especially for the burial of service personnel who died in this part of Australia. A total of 435 war graves marked by bronze plaques are contained in this cemetery. From here we enter the Litchfield National Park. The 65,000ha National Park with its untouched rainforests, hot springs, magnificent waterfalls and stunning scenery has gained the reputation as the jewel of the Northern Territory’s crown. There are some great photo opportunities. We stop to see the Magnetic Anthills and the magnificent Florence Falls from the lookout platform. We enjoy lunch at the Litchfield Café and visit nearby Wangi Falls where there is time for a refreshing dip - so bring your togs!

OVERNIGHT:  Double Tree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN

MORE OF DARWIN

After breakfast, we’re off to Crocosaurus Cove located in the heart of the City. It has the largest display of Australian reptiles in the world, a two storey fresh water aquarium, a turtle sanctuary, local NT Aboriginal Art and Culture displays. We now head to suburban Winnellie and the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre. Here there is an impressive collection of the Territory's aviation history. A massive B52 Bomber dwarfs other exhibits, including Mirage and Sabre jets, a Spitfire replica, Wessex and Huey Cobra helicopters. It will be an interesting morning. There’s more free time this afternoon to relax of further explore the town. This evening the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets will be open. They offer over 200 stalls with nearly 60 food stalls from more than 30 different countries - where we can buy some dinner. With the multi-cultural background of Darwin, we are sure to be tempted by the delicious food and smells as we wander through the market!

Dinner at own expense and arrangement

OVERNIGHT: Double Tree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN

TIWI ISLANDS DAY TRIP

We have an early start today, as we are heading to the Tiwi Islands for a full days touring. The ferry ride takes around 2 hours, so sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery as we arrive on Bathurst Island. Here we meet our local guide for a journey through the progressive Aboriginal community of Wurrumiyanga. Visit the Culture Museum with its fascinating displays of traditional art and depictions of the Tiwi 'dreamtime' stories as well as visiting the Mission Precinct with its unique Catholic Church. Hear the colourful history of the early mission days. Enjoy morning tea with the Tiwi ladies who will also perform a smoking ceremony to bless us. We call into the arts and crafts centres and see where the local artists work. We also have the opportunity to purchase Tiwi arts and crafts and screen-printed fabrics. Learn some of the complex rituals associated with the Pukamani (burial ceremony) before departing Bathurst Island for Darwin. (Please note that the tour on Bathurst Island is a walking tour; passengers should be fit and able.)

OVERNIGHT:  Double Tree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN

WILDLIFE AND SUNSETS

After our big day yesterday, we have a slightly later start. This morning we are going to visit the award winning Territory Wildlife Park at Berry Springs, about 45 minutes south of Darwin. It’s an interesting drive as we pass by exotic fruit farms, nature parks, banana plantations, orchid nurseries, dairy cattle and crocodile farms. In fact the salt water crocodile is the Northern Territory’s most famous resident! The local tropical vegetation in this area is home to a great variety of birds, reptiles, mammals and a myriad of insects. At the 400 hectare Territory Wildlife Park a lot of this wildlife is showcased. Discover an entire Top End river system, the beauty of a natural wetland and the secrets of the night, within the nocturnal house. We will return to Darwin by mid-afternoon with time to “kick-back” before dinner.

Lunch at own expense at Territory Wildlife Park

OVERNIGHT:  Double Tree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN

FOGG DAM, ADELAIDE RIVER AND HOWARD SPRINGS

Today we will enjoy some of the best nature reserves in and around Darwin. We’re up early today, so hopefully, we can see plenty of birdlife at Fogg Dam. There are some short walks through the monsoon forest. We will take a drive over the dam wall and stop at the viewing platform overlooking the wetlands and the dam wall itself. We then join the Adelaide River Queen for their 11am one hour “Jumping Croc Cruise”. It might be hard to believe that a 6 metre salt water crocodile – the most dangerous reptile in Northern Australia - can be enticed to jump out of the water just in front of us – but that’s exactly what happens!! It’s a short and fascinating interaction that does not impact on their natural habitat. We then head back towards Darwin with a stop at Howard Springs Nature Reserve. There is a 1.8km walking path here, along with a wading pool to cool off. This evening, we will make our way to Cullen Bay for our final dinner together as we watch the sun set.

OVERNIGHT:  Double Tree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN

HEADING HOME TO MELBOURNE

It’s been warm, it’s been relaxing and it’s been interesting but it’s time to head back to reality which is a cold Melbourne winter!! Following check-out, we make our way to Fannie Bay to have a look at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and the Cyclone Tracy Gallery. An inspection will reveal permanent galleries of aboriginal art, maritime archaeology and the ever popular Sweetheart and Cyclone Tracy exhibits. The facility is also home to internationally renowned cultural and scientific collections and research and exhibition programs. We hope our time in the Top End will have given us a “Taste of the Territory” providing long term memories of life and times in Darwin and Australia’s Tropical North. We are now transferred to Darwin Airport for our return flight to Melbourne via Brisbane, accompanied by our Tour Manager. Upon arrival, our chauffeurs will be waiting to transport us home with many interesting stories to tell of our Top End adventure.

Refreshments on flight