DALUHDALUK MULIL - LOTS OF WOMEN TOGETHER

Length of Tour: 3 days

Tour Dates: 26 - 28 August 2010

Departure Months: August 2010 - 9th World Indigenous Women and Wellness Conference - Post Tour. Tour is open to non conference delegates as well.

Community: Patonga

Cost: AUD$900.00 per person (minimum numbers are required for the tour to guarantee running)

Pickup Point: Darwin Hotels approx 7am on 26th August
You will return to Darwin at approx. 5pm on 28th August

Includes: Transport, meals, permits, cultural engagement and camping accommodation

Highlights Include:

• World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park
• Local Aboriginal Daluk (female) personalities

Overview:

On the Daluhdaluk Mulil tour you journey in to one of Australia’s most majestic natural wonderlands, Kakadu National Park, registered as a World Heritage Area. A unique tropical environment encompassing eight distinct habitats including deep shaded woodlands, stunningly beautiful rock formations, towering sandstone escarpments, lowland savannahs, broad floodplain, deep gorges, tumbling waterfalls and mangrove-covered tidal flats.

Kakadu is also home to a spectacular collection of Aboriginal rock art, some of which is estimated to be over 20,000 years old. The more than 5,000 recorded archaeological sites out of an estimated 10,000 within the confines of the park provide a highly illuminating rock art record of the changing Aboriginal culture, mythology and environment, chronicled from 20,000 years ago until rock painting was no longer practiced in the 1960’s. Styles and techniques represented include the earliest forms of pecked cupules, hand stencils and object imprints, naturalistic infill animal paintings, dynamic “in-motion” drawings, and cross-hatched “X-ray” images that show the skeletal structures and internal organs of the creatures depicted. Also seen are post contact art showing boats, horses weapons and human depictions of the Macassan and European presence on these shores.

The original inhabitants of this area (the Gagadju, Kunwinjku and Jaywon Aborigines) believe that their spiritual ancestors shaped Kakadu during the Dreamtime, or Creation Time. The park’s natural environment has thus long had profound spiritual significance for them. It is therefore fitting that its ownership and co-management has been returned to them.

Depart Darwin accommodation at around 7am. Travelling down the Arnhem Highway our first stop is Fogg Dam, a vast open wetland area that is home to large numbers of birds during the Top End dry season. We depart and cross the Marrakai plains, the Adelaide and Mary Rivers before our next stop at the Bark Hut Inn.

After a brief rest stop we make our way to the East Alligator River district in Kakadu National park where we enjoy lunch on the banks of the river. After lunch we visit Ubirr. Ubirr Rock is located in the North-East section of Kakadu. This region is situated on the borderline of 3 different habitats and is extremely rich in wildlife. It is also an area that is extremely rich in Aboriginal Rock art with some sites possibly dating back tens of thousands of years. The art sites in this area are magnificent and are probably some of the most detailed paintings that you will see on your tour in Kakadu.

After exploring Ubirr we then join the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise, a unique boat tour on the scenically spectacular East Alligator River. Our Aboriginal guide will provide an insight into their culture – local mythology, the river’s abundant food chain, traditional uses for many plants and animals as well as bush survival skills.

At the completion of the Guluyambi cruise we travel to Mardugal campground our base for the next 2 nights.

This morning we join a sunrise cruise on the famous Yellow Waters billabong, abundant with many species of birds and of course the mighty salt water crocodile. About one third of Australia's bird species are represented in Kakadu National Park, with at least 60 species found in the wetlands. Whistling Ducks and Magpie Geese are the most abundant. Yellow Waters Cruise provides us with a unique opportunity to experience this diverse and sublimely beautiful area and its associated wildlife.

After the cruise travel on to the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. The Aboriginal traditional land owners (Bininj) of Kakadu National Park have wanted to tell the story about their culture for a long time. Through the displays and exhibitions at Warradjan you can gain an understanding of the Bininj and their country. After you have journeyed through the display and explored the many facets of Bininj Culture you will meet Violet Lawson from Wurreng Cultural Tours. Enjoy the next hour with Violet hearing her stories and visiting her country.

After lunch at Anbangbang Billabong we then travel on to the famous Nourlangie Rock art and occupation sites dated in excess of 20,000 years. Our guide will explain the art and culture of the area. A walk to Gunwarrde Warrde lookout nearby is rewarded with panoramic views. We return to camp around 5pm for free time before dinner and camp activities including weaving and storytelling.

This morning we pack up camp and depart for Gunlom Falls located on Waterfall Creek. Gunlom is located on the Jawoyn people’s traditional land and is a magical combination of a waterfall and serene plunge pool, with shady gums cooling the picnic areas. A steep climb to the top of the waterfall provides sweeping views of the southern-most parts of Kakadu National Park while you enjoy a relaxing dip in the crystal clear pools.

A steep lookout walk leads to rock pools and views of the southern hills and ridges. The flat, easy walk to Murrill Billabong is great for bird watching, as is the short walk to the main pool below the seasonal waterfall.

After lunch we meet spend time with Bessie Smith a Jawoyn traditional owner before bidding farewell to Kakadu and making our way back to Darwin arriving at approx. 5:00pm.

Additional Comments:

NOTE: We reserve the right to amend this program as we deem necessary due to weather, seasonal road conditions, logistics, or for Aboriginal cultural reasons.

Who’s Involved?

Murdudjurl Pty Ltd – Event management, host and Creative Director

Diverse Travel Australia – In-bound promotion and marketing, booking agent, information and enquiries

Stepwise Heritage and Tourism –Advice on product planning and development

Two-Way Tours – Event/production management, operations and logistics

For any enquiries regarding booking this tour, or for more information about what Diverse Travel Australia can offer, please contact us.

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