Excursions​​​​​​​​​​​​

To explore more of the fascinating natural and cultural landscape of Darwin and the Northern Territorry, you can join one of the five excursions on Friday, the 27th of June. You can register for an excursion while completing your registration for the event, via the conference registration form. If you already registered for the conference, you can add the excursion to your existing registration later, provided there are still spots remaining.

There is an additional charge for the excursions as they are an optional element of the program (not included in registration price). It is possible to sign up with a partner. You can see the duration and departure location in the descriptions below.

Excursion 1: Wetland Cruise Day Tour

The day starts visiting Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve. Originally set up as a largescale rice growing project in the 1950`s Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve attracts a wide range of local and migratory water birds and other wildlife. Your highlight of the day is an amazing 2.5 hour cruise around the waterways of Corroboree Billabong, exploring and learning about the beautiful extensive Mary River Wetlands, home to the largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the world. The birdlife at Corroboree Billabong is prolific and you will get the opportunity to see a huge variety of species during your cruise including Sea Eagles, Jabirus, Jacanas, Ibis, Magpie Geese, Brolgas, Kingfishers and many more. Enjoy a delicious lunch on the wetlands, surrounded by nature at its best as we get “up close and personal” with plenty of local wildlife.

Duration: 9am - 5pm

Departs: Hotel Pick-up

Includes: Lunch

Price per person: 135 EUR

Excursion 2: Litchfield NP & Crocodile Cruise Day Tour

As we enter the park, you will get your first glimpse of the magnetic Litchfield termite mounds. Throughout the day, our guides will share their knowledge about the termite’s value to the unique tropical ecosystem and the formation of the mounds themselves. In the morning, we will also visit Wangi Falls. This will be your first opportunity to swim in the crisp, clean Territory waters. Take a dip in the tranquil plunge pool below the face of the falls, or follow the 800m loop walk through the surrounding monsoon forest. At lunchtime, we will have a freshly prepared picnic set up in a peaceful, shaded bush setting. We will move through native bushland en route to Florence Falls, another scenic waterfall with a plunge pool below. After some more guided bushwalking, the cascading waters of Buley Rockhole offer yet another chance for a cooling dip.* (This tour will be split in two groups, one will visit Buley Rockhole, the other group will visit Tolmer Falls lookout.) The final activity for the day will be a private Crocodile Cruise on the vast Adelaide River. Our wildlife expert and skipper is passionate about these magnificent creatures and is always keen to share their knowledge and experience with visitors. This is the ideal way to see the local animals in their natural habitat.

Duration: 7:30am – 7:30pm

Departs: Hotel Pick-up

Includes: Lunch, Park Pass

Price per person: 149 EUR

Excursion 3: Turtle Tracks

Keeping your eyes peeled for marine mammals and reptiles, your journey will take you past historic Charles Point Lighthouse into Bynoe Harbour, arriving at remote Njulbitjlk (Bare Sand Island) in time for the sun set. Explore the island with Team Turtle, learn about the fascinating marine creatures who inhabit these waters and who visit the island; and find out about the unique war history and traditional stories as you experience day turning to night. After twilight fades, Team Turtle will take you for a guided walk to witness the egg laying ritual. For those who take this adventure late in the season you may have the privilege of witnessing the eruption of baby turtles from their home under the warm sand. A fast boat ride will get you back to Darwin, with memories that will last a life time. Please note: Turtle Tracks tours operate seasonally in line with the lunar cycle. Nature dictates your experience and return time – the females usually come up around sunset, although there are no guarantees. The tour will return later if babies are hatching. Note that nesting turtles or hatchlings cannot be guaranteed on any tour. This adventure is not suited to children under the age of 8. A medium level of fitness is required to participate in this tour.

Duration: 4pm –11:00pm

Departs: Stokes Hill Wharf

Includes: Dinner, snacks, and beverages

Price per person: 235 EUR

Excursion 4: Litchfield NP Day Tour (indigenous experience)

An Indigenous-owned company offering intimate, personalised tours showcasing our country in the Northern Territory’s Top End. Our founders, former park rangers with decades of experience and family connections in the region, bring country to life with knowledge, stories, discussion, laughter and expert natural and cultural interpretation from an Aboriginal viewpoint. Discover world-class beauty, fascinating pioneer heritage and rich Aboriginal tradition. Be inspired and refresh yourself at iconic waterfalls and spring-fed plunge pools. Experience dramatic, rugged stone country, woodland and monsoon forest. Get hands-on as our expert guides demonstrate bush resources and foods. Enjoy a freshly cooked and beautifully presented lunch of quality local foods in lovely, shaded surroundings. Learn and benefit from expert guides with generations of family history, intimate stories and knowledge, and decades of experience as park rangers.

Duration: 7:30am – 4:30pm

Departs: Hotel Pick-up

Includes: Lunch, Park Pass

Price per person: 235 EUR

Excursion 5: Mukmuk Bird Tour

See, photograph and learn about Top End birds, crocodiles and a variety of wildlife on our small-group morning tour from Darwin to Harrison Dam, Fogg Dam and Adelaide River. Discover world-class beauty, fascinating pioneer heritage and a rich Aboriginal tradition. Be inspired by the cool of sunrise over wetlands packed with water birds; monsoon forests with unique bird species; and the drama of Adelaide River’s apex predators: swooping raptors and powerful crocodiles. Get photography tips from guides with decades of experience photographing wildlife, and practice on birds in flight close by. Equipment to Bring: binoculars and/or camera gear (optional—we can supply some birdwatching equipment).

Duration: 6:00am – 2pm

Departs: Hotel Pick-up

Includes: Morning tea, Park Pass

Price per person: 235 EUR

Image credits

1. Header image - Buley Rockhole, Litchfield. Credit: Tourism NT/Joshua Griffen

2. Aerial of Corroboree Billabong. Credit: Tourism NT

3. Black-necked stork (Jabiru). Credit: Tourism NT/Paul Thomsen

4. Credit: Top End Tourism

5. Buley Rockhole, Litchfield. Credit: Tourism NT/Joshua Griffen

6. Crab Claw Island Resort. Credit: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia

7. Credit: Top End Tourism

8. Turtle Tracks Tour, Sea Darwin. Credit: Tourism NT/Helen Orr Sea Darwin Turtle Tracks

9. Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours. Credit: Tourism NT/Helen Orr

10. Comb-crested jacana. Credit: Tourism NT/Paul Thomsen

11. Egret. Credit: Tourism NT/Paul Thomsen