Our Outback adventure begins – fly to Broome “the pearl of the north”, where you will be met and welcomed by our CFT Tour Leader before we enjoy our first dinner together.

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 and Willie Creek Pearl Farm Experience. Travel back in time when we visit the striking rust-red cliffs at Gantheaume Point to look at ancient dinosaur footprints.

This morning is yours to spend at leisure – relax at the resort or explore the town. This afternoon we will visit Broome’s famous Cable Beach, renowned 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: 90kg weight limit applies to camel rides.

This morning we depart Broome and travel into Derby, along the way we will stop briefly to see Myall’s Bore, Australia’s longest cattle trough and view the massive 1500-year-old Boab Prison Tree. Derby is known for having the largest tides in Australia and will tour the town and enjoy the view over King Sound from the Jetty. Our main purpose for our trip today is to connect with the local World Vision Team. Come and learn about more about World Vision’s work in Australia when we meet with staff from the Early Childhood Care and Development project. Our CFT / World Vision partnered tour will help to support Indigenous Australian communities through programs such as these that focus on children and youth to create a strong, positive environment for
young people and families. An inspiring day.

This morning we will enjoy a worship service in Derby. After an early lunch we travel on to Fitzroy Crossing. In the afternoon we will cruise Geikie Gorge, part of the 350-million-year-old Devonian reef system, its soaring cliffs were carved out by the mighty Fitzroy River. Watch out for crocodiles!

We leave Fitzroy Crossing and travel across the fertile floodplains of the Fitzroy River from where you will see distant views of the Bungle Bungle ranges. We will stop for a break in Halls Creek, Western Australia’s first gold mining town, now the centre of a vast beef industry. Our destination today is Kununurra (“big water”), aptly named for its wildlife-rich waters and the 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 us to the jetty at the motel.

This morning we will have some leisure time. In the afternoon, you can choose to join us as we cross the mighty Ord River and visit the HCJB 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. Learn more about the work they do
in God’s name.

Today we are travelling through the Kimberley and you will be spellbound by the changing colours of the ochre cliffs. Covering hundreds of thousands of square kilometres, the Kimberley is one of the world’s most precious wilderness regions. We leave WA behind as our journey takes us through the beautiful Victoria River Downs as we head to Katherine, known as the place 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. Perhaps you can pop into the Aboriginal owned and operated MiMi Aboriginal Art & Craft gallery – a not-for-profit centre offering 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. Later we will visit the Katherine Hot Springs – enjoy a soothing and enjoyable dip surrounded by the lush tropical vegetation before returning to our hotel.

Today we drive north in search of a real “Top End” experience – Kakadu. Covering an area of 19,800 square km, 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.

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 the Arnhem Land floodplains.

This morning we will enjoy a worship service in this unique area. After lunch we will enjoy a cruise on Yellow Water Billabong and learn more about the local Aboriginal culture at the Warradjan Cultural Centre and Bowali Visitors Centre. Walk around the Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock and take in the breathtaking views across the vast plains.

We leave Kakadu and drive 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. Visit the Territory Wildlife Park with its incredible range of birds and wildlife, including the big saltwater crocodiles that the NT is famous for. Then it is on to Darwin, the capital of the North where we visit the inspirational Nungalinya College, a combined church training college for Indigenous Australians.

A relaxed morning at leisure and then in the afternoon we will visit some Darwin highlights – the Museum & Art Gallery of Northern Territory and Fannie Bay and East Point Reserve.

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

We hope that you have enjoyed our Top End adventure and return home feeling blessed by the wonderful people you have meet and unique experiences we have shared.