Inspiring Top End 2020

Darwin has a dramatic history from its bombing by the
Japanese during WWII to the devastation of Cyclone
Tracy in 1974. Today it is relaxed, modern city celebrating
its cosmopolitan mix of over 50 nationalities and we are fortunate to be able to socialise with the locals rather than just interact as tourists; during our stay in Darwin we will meet with BCA workers Jim and Natalie Watson and Topher & Chica Hallyburton and visit Nungalinya College, a combined churches training college for Indigenous Australians. These meetings and wonderful times of fellowship will be interspersed with the sightseeing of such Darwin highlights as the Museum & Art Gallery of Northern Territory and Fannie Bay and East Point Reserve.

Tonight, we will be in for a special treat as we cruise Darwin Harbour – enjoy a delicious dinner whilst the sun sets over the Timor Sea.

This morning we will enjoy worship with the remainder of the day at leisure for you to explore the city. Late afternoon we will visit a Darwin institution – the Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Mingle with the locals who flock here for the incredible variety of cuisine – Thai, Sri Lankan, Indian, Chinese and Malaysian to Brazilian, Greek, Portuguese and more. Wind your way through the palm lined boulevards as you choose something for dinner, shop for colourful arts and crafts, catch a fire show, stop for a massage or be entertained by buskers, bands and talented performers.

We leave Darwin behind and head east in search of a real “Top End” experience; we visit the Territory Wildlife Park with its incredible range of wildlife and birds before driving across the Marrakai Plains with its many magnetic and cathedral anthills.

These plains and lagoons are a haven for grazing wild buffalo, wallabies, Jabiru, Egrets, Magpie Geese and Brolga. Entering Kakadu National Park, we will visit Jabiru and Ubirr Rock, famous for its ancient Aboriginal rock art. Tour several “art galleries” set amongst the rocky outcrops and admire the sensational views over Arnhem Land floodplains.

Covering an area of 19,800 square kilometres the World Heritage listed Kakadu is also the largest National Park in Australia and today we have a full day to further explore its beauty; enjoy a cruise on Yellow Water Billabong, learn more about the local Aboriginal culture at the Warradjan Cultural Centre and Bowali Visitors Centre and walk around the Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock and take in the breathtaking views across the vast plains.

From Cooinda, we drive out of the World HeritagecNational Park, re-joining the Stuart Highway at PinecCreek, and head southwards to Katherine. After lunch,
we will visit the Katherine Hot Springs; we can enjoy a soothing and enjoyable dip surrounded by the lush tropical vegetation before checking into our hotel.

Tonight, we will enjoy catching up with local BCA Field Staff Kristan and Kathryn Slack to hear about living and working here, where the Outback meets the tropics.

A leisurely morning visiting the Katherine School of the Air before you have some free time to wander the main town. Why not pop into the Aboriginal owned and operated MiMi Aboriginal Art & Craft gallery – this not-for-profit centre gives you the opportunity to view and purchase authentic local art and support Indigenous communities. Katherine is famous for its dramatic Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) and this afternoon we will cruise two gorges in this wonderful inland waterway. NOTE: As we walk across rocks between gorges, good shoes and light trousers are recommended.

Today we travel through the beautiful Victoria River Downs and cross the border in WA. We are starting to enter the real Kimberley country now and you will be held spellbound by the changing colours of the ochre rich cliffs; an ancient landscape covering hundreds of thousands of square kilometres, the Kimberley is one of the world's most precious wilderness regions. Our destination today in Kununurra (meaning 'big water'), aptly named for its wildlife rich waters and wetlands of Lake Kununurra and neighbouring Lake Argyle.

After a leisurely start, we will travel to Lake Argyle, the largest manmade lake in the southern hemisphere, so huge it is classed as an inland sea. Following lunch, we
will board the Triple J Cruise which will deliver you to the jetty at the motel. Our dinner guests this evening will be Daniel & Rebecca Faricy, the local BCA Field Staff.

This morning we will enjoy Sunday worship with locals followed by lunch. In the afternoon, you can choose to join us as we cross the mighty Ord River and visit the Christian Broadcasting Centre that is set on a 200-acre farm. Since 2003, Reach Beyond (Australia), formerly HCJB, has been transmitting the gospel in 30 languages to the Asia Pacific region.

Today we journey to Halls Creek, Western Australia’s first gold mining town, and now the centre of a vast beef industry. We will be travelling across the fertile floodplains of the Fitzroy River; our destination is Fitzroy Crossing and along the way you will pick up the distant view of the Bungle Bungle ranges.

This morning we cruise Geikie Gorge, part of the 350-million-year-old Devonian reef system, its soaring cliffs have been carved out by the mighty Fitzroy River. Watch out for the crocodiles! We travel on to Derby, known for having the largest tides in Australia, and will tour the town and enjoy the view over King Sound from the Jetty. From Derby, we head south stopping briefly to see Myall’s Bore, Australia’s longest cattle trough and the massive 1500-year-old Boab Prison Tree before we journey onto Broome, “the pearl of the north”

Broome is the home of beautiful South Sea pearls and their discovery in the 1800s saw Japanese, Filipino and Malay pearl divers arrive in droves, creating a melting pot of cultures; immerse yourself in Broome’s multicultural heritage with a visit the Japanese Cemetery and the Pearl Lugger Museum. Travel back in time when we visit the striking rust-red cliffs at Gantheaume Point to look at ancient dinosaur footprints. Enjoy time at leisure in the centre of town – explore, shop and relax until mid- afternoon when we will collect you and return you to the resort.

A day of leisure to enjoy the beauty of Broome, whether you laze by the pool or wander around town. This afternoon we will spend time on famous Cable Beach, renown for 22 kilometres of white sand and turquoise waters. Get ready for a quintessential Broome experience and marvel at a spectacular Indian Ocean sunset from the back of a friendly camel. NOTE: A 90kg weight restriction applies to camel rides.

We bid farewell to our newly made friends and head home feeling blessed by the wonderful people we have meet and unique experiences we have shared.