FEEDBACK
Vicki Regan Travel
Australia
One of the best experiences on this
trip has to be The Ghan. The service on board was amazing, and there are various activities to do while the train stops in Katherine and Alice Springs. It has definitely helped to explain to clients why it’s worth it.
Sherol D’Costa Travelpack Our visit to Ubirr was my favourite
because it was amazing to see a collection of Aboriginal rock paintings, some many thousands of years old. And from the top of Ubirr rock the panoramic view of the floodplains was breathtaking.
Noora Stanforth Anzcro
I loved the Yellow Water
Billabong Cruise. It was amazing to see the crocodiles in their own habitat and hear from people whose
families have lived there for thousands of years. I would recommend the Northern
Territory to anyone interested in the outdoors, wildlife and Aboriginal culture.
be found in Kakadu, this is fertile ground for crocodile spotting – and for a host of other flora and fauna too. The Top End is
fruitful territory for increasing Australia
bookings too. Offering a mix of outback, Aboriginal culture, fascinating wildlife and easy access via Darwin, this is a region that deserves to be higher up on travellers’ wish-lists.
Find out more:
gagudju-dreaming.com nitmiluktours.com.au cicadalodge.com.au topdidj.com railaustraliatraining.com
l WILD AT HEART Kakadu National Park boasts some impressive statistics: at 7,500 square miles it’s about half the size of Switzerland; it’s home to a third of Australia’s bird species; and it’s one of only four Australian sites which are World Heritage- listed for both outstanding natural beauty and cultural significance. Both of the
AGENT
Paddle power: Katherine Gorge
latter two aspects are in evidence on the Aboriginal-run Yellow Water Cruises by Gagudju Dreaming, which also owns Cooinda Lodge and Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, which is shaped like its namesake when viewed from above. As well as a bumper crop of crocodiles, the mother-and-son
team who led our cruise pointed out magpie geese in the
adjacent wetlands, sacred
ibis and red-breasted sea eagles in the skies, all the while offering informative commentary about their Aboriginal ancestors. Anyone interested in knowing
more should squeeze in a quick visit to the excellent Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. This modern, easy-to-follow display traces the history of the Aboriginal tribes that once roamed these lands, explaining their complex society, languages, and customs which no longer exist – essential viewing for any visitor wanting to put what they see into context. Another absolute must
are the ancient rock art sites dotted around, most famously
at Nourlangie and Ubirr. The latter is utterly awe-inspiring, not only because its rock faces are adorned with paintings up to a mind-blowing 20,000 years old, but because the subjects are so recognisable. There are ‘X-ray’ paintings of barramundi and other fish, a ‘white fella’ with his hands in his pockets (the Aboriginals’ depiction of a European visitor from the late 19th century), and a painting of the now-extinct Tasmanian tiger showing the age of these artworks. Anyone feeling energetic enough to climb to the top of the rock – it’s a quick and easy hike – is rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views across the floodplains. It’s the kind of scene that panoramic mode was made for.
l COLOURFUL KATHERINE You know you’re somewhere hot when even the trees get a tan. But that’s exactly what happens to the native eucalyptus alba trees lining the roads, whose pale white bark strips off as it dies, leaving the fresh bark underneath to colour under the sun and end up a rather fetching shade of peach. That’s nothing to the rich rusty hues of Katherine Gorge,
50 •
travelweekly.co.uk — 17 July 2014
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