Katherine and Arnhem Way

Cultural experience, Bawaka, Arnhem Land.

7 - 10 DAYS DAY ONE I 729 km (one way) Katherine to Mainoru Outstation Mainoru Outstation Start in Katherine (3 hours’ drive south Nhulunbuy Arnhem from Darwin). Bremer Island Land Begin your journey in the township of Katherine, where the meets the * tropics. For inspiration on what to do Katherine Mainoru in the Katherine , check out the Outstation Kakadu and Katherine itinerary on page Limmen 28. Make sure you are well equipped National Park with enough food, water and fuel. The first leg of your drive will take you south of Katherine towards Mataranka, * Refer to page 2 for details before turning off onto the Central Arnhem Highway. Travelling just over 250km today on mostly unsealed road, Considered one of ’s last unspoilt areas, Arnhem this route is off-the-beaten-path. Take the driving easy and consider breaking Land is just waiting for you to discover. The Central your journey with stop offs at either the Arnhem Road starts 50km south of Katherine and finishes friendly community of Barunga (home of in Nhulunbuy on the . This route will take the Barunga Festival) or Beswick where you can browse local arts and crafts at you on an adventure through open savannah woodlands Djilpin Arts. We suggest you contact well as you cross creeks and spot a variety of wildlife. Please ahead to check opening hours. Take an note that when travelling to Arnhem Land you will require overnight break at Mainoru Outstation. entry permits in advance. Contact Tourism East Arnhem via www.eastarnhemland.com.au or call 1800 512 460. 30 DAY SEVEN

Nhulunbuy Take a day to recoup from your island escape. Get the car fuelled and packed up ready for the road trip back to Katherine. Once you reach the Stuart Highway, you may choose to either head north towards Katherine and Darwin or south towards Daly Waters and the Red Centre. If you are really loving this untouched landscape, why not head along the Savannah Way? Travel east to explore Limmen National Park and the fabulous Lorella Springs, or west towards the spectacular Victoria River region. Whichever direction you go, the NT won't disappoint. Food and drink Mainoru Outstation store (make sure you get extra supplies – fuel, food and water), Gove Boat Club, Walkabout Lodge Sunset drinks at Gove Boat Club Accommodation Mainoru Outstation, Walkabout Lodge, Gove Boat Club, Gove Peninsula Motel, deluxe (glamping) beach front accommodation on Bremer Island With Nhulunbuy as your base camp, set DAY TWO out and uncover iconic landscapes at Tours and activities one of the Dhimurru Recreation Areas. Djilpin Arts Centre, nature walks around Mainoru Outstation to Nhulunbuy Choose from a wide range of settings; the Mainoru Outstation, Giddy River, from sandy white beaches and rugged Buffalo Creek, Little Bondi (apply for The Arnhem Highway continues for coastlines to open forests and shaded permits through Dhimurru Aboriginal another 480km (unsealed) where inland waterways, all located just one to Corporation). Beach combing, relaxing, you will reach the main town of East two hours from Nhulunbuy. Pack a picnic turtle spotting, fishing, and Aboriginal Arnhem Land, Nhulunbuy (also known as and head out for the perfect day trip cultural tours on Bremer Island. Gove). The road may be unpredictable, exploring Arnhem Land. Visit Dhimurru so ensure you take your time, be *You will need a permit to Aboriginal Corporation website for more prepared and most of all, appreciate travel into Arnhem Land. information and to apply for permits. the remoteness of the land you are www.eastarnhemland.com. discovering. au/plan/access-permits DAY FIVE AND SIX When you arrive in Nhulunbuy, reward yourself with a sunset drink at the Gove Bremer Island Boat Club and take in a famous sunset. Leave the car for a couple of days in Nhulunbuy and escape to an island. Make Optional DAY THREE AND FOUR your way to Bremer Island via a leisurely add-on one-hour boat ride, or a 10-minute charter flight. Arrive atBanubanu Nhulunbuy and surrounds Bremer Island to Nhulunbuy Wilderness Retreat on Bremer Island, With so much to see and do why For the next two days, enjoy the an eco-escape paradise in the Northern not stay for an extra day and have remarkable natural surroundings of East Territory. Take this opportunity to relax, a blue water Arnhem Land. Stop off at to visit recharge your batteries and live the fishing experience with one of the charters available. the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre island lifestyle for a few days. Take part If fishing isn’t your thing then (15-minute drive off the Central Arnhem in guided walks, spearfishing, turtle charter a scenic flight to witness Road). This art centre is worth the short watching or just chill out on the pristine this amazing part of the world detour; here you can view authentic white beach. pieces of art and craft created by local from the sky. Aboriginal artists. 31