Photographic Journey - Top End

Darwin
Arrive in Darwin and pick up your hire car. Spend the afternoon wandering along the Esplanade and either enjoy dinner aboard a sunset harbour cruise or at one of the city’s renowned restaurants.

Photo opportunities:
- Sunset over the harbour
- Harbour scenes, including sailing boats

Kakadu National Park
Drive east from Darwin along the Arnhem Highway to the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park (approx 252km or 2.5 hours). En route, stop at Mamukala Wetlands, home to thousands of birds or visit the Bowali Visitor Centre before enjoying a picnic lunch at Anbangbang Billabong (check seasonal access).

Follow the walking trail to the three Aboriginal rock art sites at Nourlangie Rock. It is best to photograph Nourlangie at sunset in order to get the right light to capture the rock art, as well as the rich colour of the rocks at that time of day. Watch the rock glow orange as the sun descends from the top of Nanguluwur. Spend the night at Gagudju Lodge Cooinda.
Photo opportunities include:
- Diverse bird species at Mamukala Wetlands and Anbangbang Billabong, including Jabirus and Brolgas.
- Examples of unique rock art at Nourlangie Rock
- Landscapes of the surrounding floodplains and rocky escarpments.

Yellow Water & Ubirr
Wake early to experience sunrise on the Yellow Water billabong cruise and spot crocodiles, birds and other wildlife. Learn more about these species and their connection with the traditional land owners at the acclaimed Warradjan Cultural Centre.

Later, make your way north to Ubirr for a picnic lunch and tour the three major Aboriginal rock art galleries. Watch the sun set over the Kakadu wetlands from the top of Ubirr, a scene that should be witnessed by everyone at least once in their lifetime. Retire to Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn in Jabiru for the evening.

Photo opportunities include:
- Birds and wildlife including crocodiles.
- Waterscapes at sunrise when the Yellow Water Billabong takes on a golden glow.
- Ancient rock art
- Sunset at Ubirr

Waterfalls
Drive south to Jim Jim Falls (allow 1.5 hours on a four-wheel drive track). There is a challenging walk through the monsoon forest to reach the plunge pool, but the refreshing swim is well worth the effort. Enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing south to the clear crystal waters of Twin Falls. The Falls are most impressive at the start of the dry season, when there is still a lot of water running. Seasonal access should be checked before planning your trip.

Hike to the top of the falls for a swim and breathtaking views over the escarpment (6km return, allow 2 hours). Enjoy a short boat cruise up the Twin Falls Gorge and spend the night at Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn.

Photo opportunities include:
- Waterfalls
- Escarpments

Arnhem Land
Cross the border into Arnhem Land and visit the artists at Injalak Arts & Crafts in Gunbalanya (Oenpelli). Join a cultural tour to Injalak Hill or Dog Dreaming with one of the indigenous guides. If you wish to photograph your guides, make sure you ask them first, and respect their wishes if they ask you not to photograph particular pieces of rock art or landscape features.

Afterwards, drive north-west to Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris (allow 2.5 hours) at Mount Borradaile for a sunset cruise on the Cooper Creek floodplains. In the evening relax with a cold drink and three course dinner at the well-appointed bush camp.

Photo opportunities include:
- Rock art at Injalak Hill.
- Surrounding landscapes, and views from the top of Injalak Hill.
- Birds and wildlife on the Cooper Creek floodplains.
- Outback characters at Mt Borradaile.
- Indigenous guides

Arnhem Land
Trek the monsoon forests and savannah woodlands at Davidson’s with a camp guide and explore the Aboriginal rock art galleries dotted across this area. After a hearty lunch, unwind with a spot of freshwater barra fishing or take a four-wheel drive adventure to rock pools at the top of the Arnhem Land escarpment and enjoy a swim in crystal clear waters.

Photo opportunities:
- Some of the best rock art accessible in Arnhem Land.
- The metre-long barramundi that you catch.
- Rock Pools.

Maningrida
Set out early for the picturesque drive to Maningrida in central-west Arnhem Land (allow 8 hours). There are several small river crossings along the way, including the Liverpool and Blyth rivers that are great spots for a picnic lunch. As the drive will take most of the day you may like to overnight at Arnhem Land Barramundi Nature Lodge or Maningrida Progress Association Motel.

Photo opportunities include:
- Picturesque rivers, creeks and waterholes.
- Birds and wildlife.
- Diverse landscapes as the terrain changes on your journey

Nhulunbuy
Drive from Maningrida to Nhulunbuy (allow 8 hours). In the morning visit the Maningrida Arts and Culture Centre. Along the way there are thickets of jurassic cycad forest, monsoon forest and savannah woodland. Stay at the Gove Peninsula Motel on the outskirts of Nhulunbuy.

Photo opportunities include:
- Various ecosystems that you drive through.
- Art and artists at Maningrida Arts and Culture Centre.

Aboriginal Culture
Meet up early with Timmy Burarrwanga of Bawaka Cultural Experiences and enjoy a challenging four-wheel drive to his homeland at Port Bradshaw (approx 2 hours). Participate in cultural awareness sessions, campfire singing, dancing, traditional spear fishing, art and craft, bushwalking, swimming and bush tucker appreciation. Wander along the beach with children from the community and watch them deftly pick up the skills of their elders.

Make sure you visit the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre and Museum in Yirrkala before returning to Darwin.

Photo opportunities include:
- Indigenous guides.
- Children joining in tour activities on the beach.
- Spear fishing.
- Traditional dancing.
- Colourful bush tucker.
- Incredible coastal landscapes at Port Bradshaw and Nhulunbuy.