NORTHERN TERRITORYTHE TOP END |39Arnhem LandARNHEM LAND This immense undisturbed swathe of landblessed with wild coastlines, monsoonrainforests and soaring escarpments is bound byKakadu National Park, the Arafura Sea and theGulf of Carpentaria. One of Australia's mostpowerful cultural sites is at Mount Borradailewhere thousands of rock paintings chronicleeveryday Aborignal beliefs: the Rainbow Serpentpainting found here is one of the most potentspiritual symbols of Aboriginal Dreamtime.Another area rich in art is the remote Oenpelliregion at Injalak Hill where you can seeAboriginal artists at work. Wildlife abounds,with colourful jacana (Jesus-bird) walkingdaintily on the lily pads in billabongs, goannasand frill-necked lizards. Access to Arnhem Landis restricted by decree of the traditionallandowners and only selected guides who haveearned their trust may bring visitors. LORD'S KAKADU ANDARNHEM LAND SAFARISSab Lord, owner of Lord's Safaris, was raised inKakadu and having grown up with localAboriginal people he shares a mutual respectand passion for their values and land, and hisguides are all drawn from the community. Withexclusive access to many areas of culturalsignificance Sab offers a selection of day visitsdeparting from Jabiru in Kakadu National Park,or overnight safaris where you camp out by theside of beautiful sandy billabongs, neartowering waterfalls or on the wide opensavannahs of a remote cattle station. Secrets ofArnhem Land With Sab Lord enjoy exclusive access to ArnhemLand, a truly untouched and wild part of Australiawhere you will visit ancient sacred sites andbushwalk in the company of local Aboriginal guides.Day 1:Arrive in Darwin - spend day at leisure. Day 2:Journey through Kakadu National Park by4WD and spend the afternoon exploringthe rock art galleries at Ubirr Rock.Day 3:Bushwalk through Kakadu and see itsmagnificent waterfalls. Day 4:Visit the Aboriginal lands of ArnhemLand, see some excellent examples ofrock art at Injalak Hill. Visit themagnificent Sandbar billabong.Day 5:Experience spectacular birdlife and spotthe infamous saltwater crocodile on aboat trip on the Yellow Water Billabongbefore you return to Darwin.Day 6:Day at leisure in Darwin.EXTENSIONSParts of Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Landare inaccessible by road during the wet season(December to April), however the sight of brimmingfloodplains and raging waterfalls is amazing. Lord'sSafaris work closely with Davidsons Arnhem LandSafaris and use light aircraft to reach theirwilderness camp in the heart of Arnhem Land,showing the true majesty of both regions.tailor-made travelAll our travel arrangements are on a private,individual basis to offer you complete freedom ofchoice. The itineraries and accommodation optionsthroughout the brochure are designed to give you aflavour of what is possible and can be tailor-made tosuit your preferences. Prices vary according toselected accommodation and season. Please callour Australia specialists on 01869 276 345 todiscuss your individual requirements.COBOURG PENINSULA,ARNHEM LANDAccessible by an hour's scenic flight over VanDiemen's Gulf the Cobourg Peninsula is primeAustralian wilderness. Its mosaic of sandybeaches, mangroves, rainforest and sea grassmeadows support a rich marine life fromdugongs to loggerhead and Olive Ridley turtles.Home to the Aboriginal clans of Agalda,Ngaindjagar, Madjunbalmi and Muran, thespiritual link with the land and sea is stillprevalent. From Gunners Quoin headland theview over the reefs is awesome, with soaringsea eagles, crocodiles and giant manta rayscruising below. Head west along the coast andpass curiously shaped rock formations beforereaching a small paper bark swamp forest wherebanteng cattle and wallabies come to drink. Afeast for nature lovers, this peninsula offers anincredible diversity of environments.Seven Spirit Bay Lodge,Cobourg Peninsula This delightful lodge is just steps from the sea.Meandering paths weave their way through thewoodland to clusters of tropical 'habitats'. Spaciousrooms have louvered shades with screens to admitthe breeze, and semi-open bathrooms, elegantlysimple and with beautiful views. The main lodge issurrounded by verdant bush and overlooks theArafura Sea on one side and a lagoon pool on theother. A selection of guided treks and 4WD vehiclesafaris set out from here to explore the rock art sitesand secluded bays.Arnhem Land wetlandsSeven Spirit Bay Lodge

The CascadesBULLO RIVER STATIONThis far-flung, untamed station in the farreaches of Australia's wild Northern Territory isthe Outback at its quintessential best. Stretchingover half a million acres of grassy dust plains,crossed by bronze, twisted rivers and fleckedwith gnarled, leathery boab trees it is home to8,500 Brahman-cross cattle. The station isencircled by the Victoria River, with dramaticescarpments inscribed with rock art, and waterscrammed with barramundi and crocodiles. Wildbuffalo, dingoes and mobs of wallabies roamthe plains, whilst native and migratory birds lendcolour and sound to what is already impressivecountry. Reaching Bullo by light aircraft fromDarwin or Kununurra you fly over a panoramaof jagged escarpments and rivers before landingon the station's airstrip by the homestead. Forthe adventurous with time to spare, you canalso reach the station by road - 500 miles,mostly on dirt, with the station's driveway itselfbeing some fifty miles long. The distances beingall part of an authentic Outback experience.40Bullo River HomesteadAlthough a rugged working station, guests at thehomestead are treated to plenty of Outbackcomforts. The twelve modern ensuite guestroomsare spacious and set in the surrounds of the familyhome, and you are welcome to share the sprawlinghomestead and small swimming pool, ideal forwashing off the dust after a day outdoors. Fresh fishand prime, grass-fed beef feature prominently onthe dinner menus: barramundi cooked in paperbarkover hot coals is an Aboriginal speciality andsomething of a Bullo trademark. Marlee and Franzoffer an informal, entertaining stay, recountingstories of the station life and its history, and we feelBullo River Station certainly adds a colourful andfascinating dimension to a visit to Australia.STATION LIFE The charming hosts at Bullo River Station areMarlee, who was brought up on the farm, andher Austrian-born husband Franz. With theiryoung children, they thrive on their life here andlike nothing more than inviting guests to sharein the daily home and station life. Guests at thisworking station gain a front-seat view, frombuilding fences to seasonal cattle mustering,dealing with washed-away roads and wild cattlewreaking havoc. You have the option toparticipate as much or as little as you wish, soyou may find yourself learning the Aussiebushcraft of cracking a bullwhip or helping torope cattle. Novice fisherman are guaranteedaction pitching their wits against Australia'sfamous fighting fish, the barramundi, or youcan take a rock art cruise along the river in thecompany of a local guide. When Franz isn'tusing his helicopter to muster cattle there isperhaps the chance of an aerial view of thisuntouched land.Bullo River HomesteadCattle musteringView over the Bullo River Station