Aussie Rules footballer Daniel Rioli grew up in the Tiwi Islands, where his passion for football was ignited. He returns to the Territory at every opportunity and shares some of his favourite places in the Top End.
Lather yourself in sunscreen and get ready for a wild 5-day tour around the Territory’s Top End. From the breathtaking escarpments of Kakadu to the colourful murals on the buildings of Darwin streets, you’ll top off your trip by venturing off the beaten track to the Tiwi Islands. This 5-day travel guide promises to fill up both your memory bank and phone photo gallery, as well as cure those nature cravings.
Day 1: Hit the streets of the Top End’s capital, Darwin
Welcome to the Top End! Drop your bags and check-in to Mindil Beach Casino Resort. It’s a vibe. Throw yourself straight into the lagoon style pool and swim into happy hour cocktails to prepare yourself for an 11/10 sunset. If it’s too early for a poolside tipple, head into town to see what all the fuss is about.
Choose your own adventure by wandering through the laneways on a Darwin Street Art Tour (make sure to download the Darwin Street Art app) or get your heart rate up in the Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove. Now who’s the apex predator?
Dinner options include a ridiculously scenic sunset cruise with Sail Darwin – champagne on arrival, sea legs optional. But if you want to conserve your energy for the next few days, Dragon Court at Mindil Beach Casino Resort serves up authentic Asian fusion favourites that will bring back childhood memories of going out for a fancy dinner with your family. Take that, Uber Eats!
Day one. Tick.
Daniel’s hot tip: Stop off at House of Darwin for some memento merch or grab some ‘groovy’ tees for the family.
Day 2: UNESCO World Heritage Site Kakadu National Park
Grab your caffeine hit from Ray’s Patisserie and Café before you hit the highway, en route to iconic Kakadu National Park.
Pull up to Cooinda Lodge, and make it your home base for the next few days. Tucked away in the wilderness of the wetlands, this rustic lodge is the perfect hideaway to retreat to after a day of jam-packed activities.
Book yourself for a private Yellow Water Billabong Fishing Tour, a stone’s throw from Cooinda Lodge. Cast a line and get ready to reel in some of the region’s most prized catches – all while surrounded by stunning scenery.
No luck fishing? Maguk Waterfall, known to locals as Barramundi Gorge, is just a short 45-minute drive if you need a cool dip. Walk through the pandanus and paperbark forest and you’ll find the almost-hidden swimming hole and waterfall surrounded by towering cliffs. It’s the perfect spot to cool off and soak up the untouched beauty of Kakadu. There’s even a secret top pool swimming spot for the adventurous, if you’re game.
Daniel’s hot tip - Cooinda Lodge as a kiosk for everyday exploring essentials - bags of ice, fishing bait but more importantly – Paul’s Iced Coffee!
Day 3: Soar with Yibekka Heli Tour & soak up the culture at Marrawuddi
Scoff your brekky and strap in for a thrilling heli tour with Yibekka Kakadu Tours. You’ll find yourself soaring above rugged landscapes, winding rivers, and sacred rock formations. Talk about a seat with a view! Get a glimpse into the sheer vastness and endless beauty of the ancient land that stretches out below you.
Once you’re back on solid ground, take some time to explore some local Indigenous culture and stories of the region at Marrawuddi Arts & Culture Centre. Watch local artists at work, learn about traditional art forms, and gain insight into the spiritual significance of the land you’re visiting. From carved timber cockatoos, to bark paintings and unconventional superhero portraits, the art centre is the hub of the community and reflects the spirit and cheekiness of the region’s artistic superstars.
Daniel’s hot tip: Irene & Harold hand select native timber sticks to make cheeky cockatoos sold at Marrawuddi. The art centre also does great coffee to go with your purchased masterpiece.
Day 4: Escape to island life on Tiwi Islands
After returning to Darwin and jumping on a short fixed wing flight, you’ll find yourself quickly adjusting to island time at Garden Point, (Pirlangimpi) on Melville Island, Tiwi Islands. An archipelago steeped in Indigenous culture and natural beauty, you can’t visit the island without trying to catch your dinner. Even the air smells sweeter up here.
Jump on a fishing charter with Clearwater Lodge and spend a good part of your day reeling in an abundance of delicious fish just waiting to be hooked. If you don’t snag any fish, there are mudcrabs waiting to be netted and then cooked over coals for an arvo snack. Nothing is fresher than a seafood beach fire feast on Tiwi.
After a morning on the water, visit the Munupi Art Centre, a hub of creativity and craftsmanship. It’s the best place to see artists using traditional weaving techniques to create intricate artworks that tell the stories of the local Tiwi people.
Daniel’s hot tip: Make sure to pop in to Pirlangimpi Store to get all your supplies, and have a yarn with the locals – most of whom are family and good mates of mine!
Day 5: Kulupini Swimming Hole
Make the most of your last day by heading to the secluded Kulupini Swimming Hole for one final dip to soak up the stillness and serenity of the island. Surrounded by the fragrant, native bush, it’s the perfect spot to look back on the last 5 days of the trip with a book, picnic snack or your travel crew.
As you fly back home via Darwin, catch a final glimpse of the snaking rivers of the Top End and make a pact with yourself that you’ll be back soon.
Daniel’s hot tip: Take an inflatable lilo (or even a tiger floatie) to make the most of relaxing in the watering hole!
As you take in all the wonders of the Top End, please remember to respect the land, water, cultures and the traditional owners of this unique region. Throw on a shirt and reduce sunscreen use in swimming spots, remove your rubbish and take nothing but selfies.
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