This week – Happy Birthday Darwin
Posted on:
Posted by:
As tomorrow (Tuesday 12th February) marks Charles Darwin’s 204th Birthday, we are taking a look at Darwin, Australia. On 9 September 1839, HMS Beagle sailed into Darwin harbour during its surveying of the area. John Clements Wickham named the region “Port Darwin” in honour of their former shipmate Charles Darwin, who had sailed with them on the ship’s previous voyage. The settlement there became the town of Palmerston in 1869, and was renamed Darwin in 1911.
Darwin is the furthest north of Australia’s major cities and best visited during our summer taking in Kakadu National Park and Katherine Gorge – Welcome to Crocodile Dundee Country!
Here’s our suggestion which can be added to an exisiting Australia holiday or adapted on its own, just call me for further details
Day 1: Darwin is a small but sprawling city with bags of character. Take a town tour, or ride the Tourist Tub, but however you get around, ensure that you are on a harbour cruise as the sun goes down. The Top End is famous for its sunsets – the colours of the after glow are spectacular.
Day 2: Kakadu Adventure
An early start recommended for your Kakadu adventure. Here we suggest a two night camping tour (longer options also possible). The first day takes you into the Kakadu National Park, visiting the rock art site at Ubirr, before taking a leisurely cruise on the Yellow Water Wetlands – you will almost certainly see your first crocodile here, to say nothing of the wide variety of birdlife. Whilst enjoying the cruise, your guide will have stoked up the campfire and have dinner on the go ready for your return. The following day, after a hearty cooked breakfast, break camp and on to Nourlangie for a morning walk. Here, again, you will see examples of rock art – your guide will walk with you and explain and interpret these fascinating sites. A quick visit to the excellent interpretation centre near Cooinda and then head south to Gunlom Falls. The road roughly follows the line of the Escarpment and as you head south the scenery becomes more rugged and dramatic. Your overnight camp is at Gunlom. For the energetic a climb up a steep rock path brings you to an idyllic pool – ideal for an early evening swim. Dinner around the campfire before retiring to your tent for the night.
Tour 2 nights
Day 4: Darwin
Break camp again this morning after breakfast – there may be time for another swim before leaving the Kakadu Park behind (longer tours may include Katherine Gorge and Litchfield Park)stop at the small mining town or Pine Creek and Adelaide River before finally returning to Darwin in the early evening.
Darwin 1 night
Day 5: Cobourg Peninsula
Early breakfast before a short light aircraft flight, which is the only way to get to this little gem on the Cobourg Peninsula. A low swoop over the airfield clears any wildlife grazing the edges of the runway before the little plane touches down. A bus will be waiting to whisk you to your wilderness lodge. Fine food, a well stocked wine cellar, a welcoming and shady pool and exquisite views across the sparkling water await. The lodge offers guided walks and safaris for the adventurous, fishing trips or simple relaxation in beautiful surroundings. 2 nights is lovely, 3 even better
Cobourg Peninsula 2 nights
Day 7: Darwin
Light aircraft transfer back to Darwin and civilisation before continuing your travels…
For more Information and how to make this part of your bespoke, tailor made holiday please contact us on 01323 446550 or email info@experienceholidays.co.uk
Kakadu National Park by Wikipedia
Experience Holidays is fully bonded under the Civil Aviation Authority ATOL scheme and is a member of the
Worldchoice Consortium.