Self Drive
A$3495per person
In the farthest reaches of remote Northern Australia lies East Arnhem Land. This vast and rugged wilderness is where the Yolngu people have lived for millennia. Today you’ll still find clans fishing, sailing and enjoying the homeland of their ancestors. Discover this beautiful stretch of traditional land in the Bawaka Homeland, and learn how to hunt and gather, paint, weave, and hear stories of the area and history of the region, all under the guidance of Yolngu leaders. Then depart the mainland for nearby Dhambaliya (Bremer Island) and feel like castaways marooned on this spectacular oasis, devoid of human development and interference. Don’t pass up this unique opportunity to witness the close cultural connection between the land and The First Peoples of Australia, the oldest civilization on Earth.
5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
Private vehicle, Speedboat
Hotel (2 nights), Multi-share bunkhouse (2 nights), Beach Bungalow (1 night)
Daily activities as part of the itinerary
Welcome to your East Arnhem Land adventure. After you land at Gove airport, you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to your accommodation in the town of Nhulunbuy. Take some time to relax before a Welcome Meeting at 6:30 pm this evening, where you’ll meet your fellow travellers and your guide will provide an overview of the upcoming days. The rest of the evening is free – maybe get your new friends together for a first group dinner in the hotel, or in one of the restaurants here in Nhulunbuy.
There are no meals included on this day.
The complimentary arrival transfer is available for participants arriving into Gove Airport on Day 1 of the trip. Please advise your booking agent of your flight details at the time of booking and no less than 14 days prior to departure. If you arrive early or don’t take advantage of the arrival transfer please note that the group meeting will take place at the Walkabout Lodge at 6:30pm. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be checking COVID test results, insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let an Intrepid representative or your travel agent know.
After breakfast this morning head for the community of Yirrkala for a visit to its world-famous art gallery. The Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre presents artworks created by men and women of the many Aboriginal groups in the area, with paintings, sculptures, wood crafts, and cross-hatching techniques on display. You can also see bark petitions which symbolise the beginning of the Indigenous Lands Rights movement. There is also an opportunity to learn about how this establishment serves as a learning centre for the local children of the surrounding communities, and only if you wish, to purchase unique artwork from the gallery. Afterwards head south to the eastern edge of East Arnhem Land and Bawaka Homeland, which looks out into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Enjoy a packed lunch at Lonely Beach. Then you’ll be greeted with a traditional smoking ceremony Welcome to Country and general orientation to the homeland. A family elder will lead a Yolngu cultural class, sharing and telling the story of the homeland. Over the next two days, enjoy cultural activities with the Bawaka traditional owners. At the end of each day, sit with the traditional owners around the fire and make the most of this unique opportunity to learn about their culture, to hear the songs, music and stories of the land.
Due to the remoteness of the location, accommodation is no-frills , with multi-share rooms and basic amenities and facilities.
Today is a full day for you to enjoy the area and a variety of Bawaka cultural activities. These could include making spears and Yidaki (Didgeridoos) for men, collecting materials and dyes for weaving, or creating necklaces and other jewellery from locally gathered shells and seeds. There will also be an opportunity to witness the hunting and gathering methods that have fed the Yolngu for generations, and to try some of the food that has been caught or collected, like mud crabs or bush honey. You might also learn about bush medicine, the Yolngu kinship system and language, and how the Yolngu people lived on their traditional lands. In the evening sit around the fire for more story telling.
Make the most of your last morning here in Bawaka with any cultural activities you haven’t had the chance to participate in yet. Then it’s time to say farewell to your Yolngu hosts and make your way to the Nhulunbuy jetty. From here you’ll jump in a speedboat for the trip across to Dhambaliya (Bremer Island) (approximately 1 hour). You’ll be staying in an eco-sensitive beach retreat built in partnership with the Yolgnu people at the northern tip of the island. This is glamping right next to world-class beaches in rooms that overlook the sand, with decks from which to watch the sun disappear behind the ocean and a pool overlooking the Arafura Sea. The day is free for a number of activities or simply relaxing. Perhaps set out on one of the many walking trails through the dunes and along untouched beaches, or you may even have the privilege of seeing turtles nesting if the time of year is right. Of the six species in the world, four of these lay their eggs right here. If this is sounding too active to you, then just sit back, relax, and experience the remote solitude and a chance to recharge, or take advantage of the library available with an array of Arnhem Land and Macassan history books available.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at this calm waterside retreat and relax some more this morning. Alternatively use the cool part of the morning for some more bush walking. There are four marked walking trails on Bremer Island ranging from one kilometre to five kilometres in length. The trails take you through sand dunes and along the untouched beaches of the island. There are several view points along the trails showcasing spectacular views of the Arafura Sea and Gulf of Carpentaria. In the early afternoon catch a boat back to the mainland. Check back into your accommodation in Nhulunbuy and enjoy dinner together with the group. Then it’s time to meet up with your guides again and share stories of your stay at Bawaka and Bremer Island.
If you would like to extend your stay with additional accommodation on Bremer Island or in Nhulunbuy you will need to book online with the hotel directly.
| Departing | Finishing | Total from AUD | |
| Fri 21 Apr 2023 | Wed 26 Apr 2023 | Available | $4,600 |
| Thu 25 May 2023 | Tue 30 May 2023 | Available | $4,600 |
| Thu 10 Aug 2023 | Tue 15 Aug 2023 | Available | $4,520 |
| Fri 13 Oct 2023 | Wed 18 Oct 2023 | Available | $4,520 |
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