Day 1 |        

Darwin, Australia

Australia's capital of the north is a uniquely tropical city, and a historically isolated outpost of this vast, diverse country. Reaching up towards the equator, a full 2,000 miles from Sydney and Melbourne, the city was named in honor of Charles Darwin by the British settlers who established a frontier outpost here. With a unique history, beautiful islands nearby, and a palette of sizzling Pacific flavors, colorful Darwin is an enchanting and exotic Australian destination. Crocodiles patrol the jungled waterways and tropical rainforests around Australia's gateway to the Top End. Explore via airboat to look down on the veiny waterways of the mist-laced Kakadu National Park. The sounds of chattering birdlife and the gentle splash of fountains and waterfalls will fill your ears in George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. Soak it all in, before kicking back and relaxing with a picnic and a crackling barbecue. The sunshine and famous tropical pink sunsets mean many visitors naturally gravitate to the city's soft sands to relax at spots like pretty Mindil Beach, as evening approaches. The adjoining market is filled with souvenirs and crafts stands and is the perfect place to enjoy some fiery Asian flavors. Stroll the stalls, grab some food, and crack open an ice-frosted beer as the sunset show begins. It may be remote, but Darwin found itself on the front line during the Pacific War, as the Japanese air force unloaded their bombs onto the city in 1942. This relaxed unassuming city has a deeply resilient backbone, however, and you can explore the museums to learn more of the war's impact on Darwin, as well as the devastating effects of one of Australia's worst natural disasters, Cyclone Tracy in 1973.

Day 3 |     

Vansittart Bay, Australia

Vansittart Bay is located near the northern tip of Western Australia. The bay was named by Phillip Parker King during one of his four surveys of Northern Australia during the early 19th century. Interesting parts of the bay include Jar Island and the opportunity to view Bradshaw (Gwion Gwion) and Wandjina styles of rock art. For these two different rock art styles there are two sites in close proximity. An area with an example of a more recent history is the Anjo Peninsula. A beach landing and a short hike across a lagoon or - depending on the tides - a walk around the lagoon will lead to a World War II site. An almost intact wreck of an old airplane, a C-53, can be seen lying there.

Day 5 |       

Adele Island, Kimberley, Australia

Appearing like a charmed apparition, Adele Island is an oasis of tranquility peeking out of the Indian Ocean. It’s hard to capture the sense of quiet perfection as you stand on this sandy paradise, 65 miles away from Kimberley’s rugged coast. The changeable sands of the island expand and contract with the contented sighs of the tides, and wide sandbanks ebb and flow with the whims of the water. At the core of Adele Island is a gorgeous tidal lagoon, rich in biodiversity. The island is a thriving ocean outpost for breeding birds and turtles, and the hospitable waters form a lively nursery for young humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins. Keep an eye out for large silhouettes sliding just below the shallow surface. The knee-deep sea here means you can easily spot wonderful sea creatures swimming agilely past. Keep your wits about you, though, there may also be beady-eyed crocodiles, slaloming menacingly. Encounter beautiful sea turtles, diverse fish life, and remarkable birds like the lesser frigate bird and brown booby, all while exploring this pristine island gem. Stand in awe as plumes of seabirds rotate around you like a gentle whirlwind. Endless fields of immaculate coral reefs coat the seabed, alive like underwater cities, bustling with life and characters. With only the sounds of rhythmic waves sloshing, sandy footsteps crunching, and vocal bird life singing out, melodic Adele Island hits all the right notes.

Day 7 |     

Montgomery Reef, Australia

Montgomery Reef, which is some 300 square kilometres in size, can show an amazing tidal change of up to 4 metres. When the tide drops, the reef seems to rise out of the water. At low tide, a river is exposed, which allows access to an amazing semi-submerged world. When the tide continues to ebb, Zodiacs will be used to make the way to the edge of the reef, where one is surrounded by cascading waterfalls up to 3 metres high. Continuing up the river, one can look at the abundance of reef birds and sea creatures, including turtles and manta rays. A visit to Montgomery Reef is very much tide-dependent, but truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Adjacent to Montgomery Reef, but on the mainland, Freshwater Cove – locally known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Aboriginal guides will welcome guests with a traditional ochre welcome on the beach. The rock formations that can be seen along the shore represent spiritual ancestors relating to the great Wandjina battle. Caves with rock art are found in the vicinity, but can only be visited with local guides.

Day 9 |     

Swift Bay, Australia

Australia’s jaw-dropping Kimberley region shelters some of the oldest collections of rock art. This ancestral art depicting warriors, animals, or nature is an authentic testimony to Aboriginal culture, rituals, and traditions. Tranquil Swift Bay offers you the opportunity to discover astonishing Wandjina art galleries and wake up the adventurer in you. A quick zodiac ride on the turquoise water gives you a chance to admire the coast’s spectacular scenery, while a short walk across the rocky and wild landscape, 250 meters from the landing site, leads you to the historic and artistic caves. In these ancient galleries, two different styles of rock art can be observed: the Gwion Gwion style, represented by long and skinny human-like figures, and the much rounder Wandjina style. Both are very impressive and special. You’ll need to keep your wits about you if you want to admire the most spectacular of the ancient paintings, though, as it is painted on the ceiling and only visible by lying down. However, those with claustrophobia beware! The ceiling is only about a meter above your head. Those who do wiggle in to be in the best position will fully appreciate the artwork’s enormous scale and size and surely won’t be left indifferent.

Day 11 |     

Darwin, Australia