Discover extraordinary Aboriginal cultural experiences in the Top End, including Darwin, Kakadu and Katherine. All are within reach on a 7-day long road trip starting from Darwin and the Stuart Highway.
Discover extraordinary Aboriginal cultural experiences in the Top End, including Darwin, Kakadu and Katherine. All are within reach on a 7-day long road trip starting from Darwin and the Stuart Highway.
Welcome to the tropical city of Darwin on Larrakia Country. Start your trip in the palm-fringed city and travel into the surrounding lands of the Tiwi,Bininj/Mungguy and Jawoyn people.
Over this 7-day itinerary you’ll experience life on Country in the Top End, discover some of the oldest and most renowned rock art sites in the world and visit the dual-listed UNESCO area of Kakadu National Park, which is recognised for both its natural and cultural importance.
Browse the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT
Start your morning at Aboriginal Bush Traders, located opposite the visitor information centre on Bennett Street in the CBD. Here you can try a bush tucker infused breakfast and grab a coffee to go. Browse the gallery next door and view the latest local exhibition.
Next stop, set the scene with a visit to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). Keep an eye out for the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander exhibition, held annually from early August to mid-January featuring First Nations artists from around Australia. For a lunch break, Saltwater@Bundilla is a great stop with a view overlooking the harbour, located on the grounds of the museum.
Looking to browse or buy ethical art? Continue the art journey this afternoon with a visit to other galleries that are members of the Indigenous Art Code including Outstation Gallery in Parap and Readback Books and Aboriginal Gallery in Smith Street Mall.
Take a day trip to the Tiwi Islands
Wake up early and get ready to immerse yourself in a Tiwi cultural tour on the Tiwi Islands. Book with SeaLink, AAT Kings or Tarntipi Bush Camp to learn about the art and cultural history of Bathurst Island. After arriving at Bathurst Island, take part in a Welcome to Country ceremony, then visit the community art centres such as Tiwi by Design, Ngaruwanajirri art centre and Patakijiyali Museum to meet artists and learn more about the Tiwi Islands.
The Tiwi Islands is renowned for its annual Tiwi Islands Football Grand Final and Art Sale, held every March in a celebration of football and community. To visit the Tiwi Islands, the best option is to book a day tour from Darwin.
See World Heritage-listed rock art sites in Kakadu
Hire a car in Darwin or take your own vehicle for a road trip to Kakadu National Park, approximately 250km from the city. Make sure to take plenty of water and a full tank of petrol before setting off. A park pass is required to visit the Bininj/Mungguy lands of Kakadu.
Your first stop along the Arnhem Highway is Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours, less than an hour from Darwin. Learn from the traditional owners and custodians of Limilngan-Wulna land as you walk through the property discovering traditional techniques from bush tucker to basket weaving.
Continue past the entrance to Kakadu and onwards to the Bowali Visitor Centre to discover what’s on inside the Park and check the latest information on road conditions. Next stop, head to the township of Jabiru and visit Marrawuddi Gallery, located across the road from the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel. The gallery is a hub for Kakadu and West Arnhem artists and is listed on the Indigenous Art Code to purchase ethically produced works.
Check into your accommodation for your overnight stay in Jabiru then drive to Ubirr for sunset. Wear sturdy shoes and leave yourself plenty of time to walk through the rock art galleries, among the best in the world. At the top of the lookout, admire the stunning colours of the Nadab floodplains stretching as far as the eye can see before making your way to the car and departing back to Jabiru for the evening.
Go further on a cultural tour
Walk through the rock art shelters at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) with Yibekka Kakadu Rock Art Tours on a 1.5-hour guided experience to discover paintings dating more than 20,000 years. Kakadu’s rock art is regarded as one of the longest historical records of any group of people on Earth.
After your tour, return to Jabiru for lunch and prepare for your afternoon adventure with Ayal Aboriginal Cultural Tours. Take an air-conditioned 4WD to the Gabarlgu Billabong and the South Alligator mangrove forest. The tour includes afternoon tea and transport back to your accommodation for the evening.
Listen to local knowledge on a Yellow Water Billabong Cruise
Being an early bird in Kakadu reaps its rewards and the (Ngurrungurrudjba) Yellow Water Billabong Cruise at sunrise is as spectacular as it gets. Learn the traditional names of wildlife that inhabit the area and get an up-close view of the crocodiles that call the national park home. After the cruise, check out and take the 3-hour drive to Katherine to check into your accommodation for 2 nights.
Get familiar with the town on a visit to the Godinymayin Yijard River Arts and Culture Centre, a community cultural space that showcases performance projects, local exhibitions and Aboriginal art.
The centre has an on-site café for visitors to enjoy. This afternoon you have the option for sunset on the lands of the Jawoyn people at Baruwei Lookout at Nitmiluk Gorge or to go for dinner at Kumbidjee restaurant located on Gorge Road.
Explore the natural magnificence of Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge
Start the day with a visit to Top Didj Cultural Tours and Art Gallery, located on Gorge Road, just before Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. The gallery works closely with artists and their families and offers a world-class exhibition of authentic Aboriginal art. Next stop, head to the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre located at Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge to prepare for you afternoon experience.
The Nitmiluk Tours Ancient Garlarr River Safari allows you to go deeper into the 13-gorge system and discover Jawoyn stories from the traditional owners with visits to the well preserved rock art galleries. Make the most of the afternoon as the sun starts to set and the colours on the gorge walls change into the evening.
End the week with a sunset at Bundilla Beach
After a week around the Top End, it’s time to head back to Larrakia Country. After arriving back in Darwin, relax and reflect over a sunset on Country at Bundilla Beach where you can walk along the coastline and enjoy views across Fannie Bay. Dine at the Darwin Sailing Club, Darwin Trailer Boat Club or head to nearby Mindil Beach Casino Resort for sundowners or dinner with an ocean sunset view.
Start planning your trip to the NT and discover more Aboriginal cultural experiences on offer.
Day 1
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Aboriginal Bush Traders
See & doAboriginal Bush Traders, connecting you with unique, authentic and ethical cultural products and experiences; supporting local indigenous artists, businesses and micro-enterprises.
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Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
See & doThe Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is the Northern Territory's premier cultural organisation.
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Saltwater @ Bundilla
RestaurantSaltwater @ Bundilla is an iconic Northern Territory food destination showcasing the best of the Territory’s produce.
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Darwin art galleries
See & doExperience the rich culture of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art, and be amazed by the stories behind the region’s history and heritage.
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DarwinView 131 options
Day 2
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Tiwi by Design - Tiwi Islands Day Tour
Guided toursImmerse yourself in this premium SeaLink Tiwi Islands art and culture day tour.
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DarwinView 131 options
Day 3
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Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours
TourPudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours is Aboriginal owned and operated with the majority of their tours taking place from the Adelaide River, on Aboriginal owned and managed lands, which is at the forefront of the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.
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Bowali Visitor Centre
See & doBefore you start exploring Kakadu National Park, get familiar by exploring the Bowali Visitor Centre.
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KakaduView 6 options
Day 4
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Kakadu Rock Art Tours
TourLocated in the heart of Kakadu lies a world heritage rock shelter full of ancient art and stories.
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KakaduView 6 options
Day 5
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Yellow Water Cruises
TourYellow Water Billabong, Kakadu's most famous wetland, is located at the end of Jim Jim Creek, a tributary of the South Alligator River.
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Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre
See & doGodinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre was established in 2012 as the flagship cultural facility and meeting place for the Katherine Region.
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Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge
TourNo visit to the Northern Territory is complete without visiting the spectacular Nitmiluk National Park, a region of rugged beauty, history and culture with the breathtaking 'Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge' as the centerpiece.
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Kumbidgee Restaurant & RV Stopover
AccommodationThis is a hosted stay through Hipcamp, below is the information provided by the Host regarding their offering.
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Katherine accommodationView 40 options
Day 6
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Nitmiluk Visitors Centre
ServicesNitmiluk Visitors Centre is your first stop for all activity in Nitmiluk National Park.
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Katherine accommodationView 40 options
Day 7
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Saltwater @ Bundilla
RestaurantSaltwater @ Bundilla is an iconic Northern Territory food destination showcasing the best of the Territory’s produce.
Book this trip
Book it yourself
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Darwin art galleries
Experience the rich culture of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art, and be amazed by the stories behind the region’s history and heritage.
2 nights’ stay in Darwin
Check-in: Day 1
Check-out: Day 3Tiwi by Design - Tiwi Islands Day Tour
Day 2
Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours
Day 3
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Kakadu Parks Pass
Required for entry to Kakadu National Park. Read about passes & permits
2 nights’ stay in Kakadu
Check-in: Day 3
Check-out: Day 5Kakadu Rock Art Tours
Day 4
Ayal Aboriginal Tours Kakadu
Day 4
Yellow Water Cruises
Day 5
Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge
Day 5
2 nights’ stay in Katherine accommodation
Check-in: Day 5
Check-out: Day 7
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