Sacred Sites of Australia by Private Plane

Duration: 16

Highlights:
- Camp under the stars on traditional Aboriginal lands
- Lap up the untouched sea scapes of Banubanu Beach Retreat
- Spot endemic wildlife in the savannah woodland of Bamurru Plains
- Hike through UNESCO World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park
- Be dwarfed by majestic Uluru and the Field of Light
- Fly over Wilpena Pound, crowning jewel of the flinders ranges

A journey over Australia by air is simply unforgettable. Discover this unique country’s most spectacular sites admiring thousands of years of Indigenous heritage, traversing untouched seascapes, hiking World Heritage listed national parks, soaring over the majestic landscapes of the red centre, and basking in incredible Uluru under the stars.

Itinerary

Day 1: Brisbane - Laura - Jarramali Camp

Depart Brisbane travelling in exclusive style on-board a Beechcraft King Air private charter flight to Laura, the centre for the largest collection of prehistoric rock art in the world.  Enroute there will be a refueling stop in Mackay; total flying time 4 hours, 30 minutes.

Upon arrival you will be met by your indigenous guide and transferred 1.5 hours to the Jarramli Camp. Travel in an Isuzu NPS300 series 4WD All Terrain Warrior truck. Its spacious, safe and comfortable.  Navigate and tackle 50kms of dirt road from Laura. It is known as the Old Coach Road; one of the most gnarly 4WD tracks in Cape York Peninsula.

On arrival at the Jarramali Camp, you will be taken to your respective accommodation. Comfortable tents with stretchers, mattresses, linen, pillows and towels supplied. Put your feet up and enjoy the sunset and explore the sandstone escarpment and views whilst your dinner is being prepared.

After dinner and being a cool time of the year at nights, a campfire will be going to sit around and enjoy cups of tea/coffee (alcoholic drinks not supplied but can BYO, not a dry community). Enjoy a yarn and the night sky before slipping into your cosy tent.

Overnight: Jarramali Camp (Exclusive Use)

Meal Plan: D

Day 2: Jarramali Camp

Start the day with a hot breakfast such as eggs benedict, feta cheese, avocado and salmon on toast with a hot cup of coffee or tea.

After breakfast the real rock stars will be seen. Laura, is the only place in the world where you can see the world famous Quinkan Rock Art, regarded by UNESCO as one of the 10 most significant bodies of rock art in the world. Out of the 10,000 Quinkan Rock sites near Laura you will be taken to a pristine and culturally significant rock art site called 'Magnificent Gallery' that archaeologists predict is a 20,000-year-old outback museum. This is an ancient gallery that is outstanding for its variety, quantity and quality, and is home to over 450 pieces of art. Your knowledgeable Kuku-yalanji guide will guide you through the gallery and interpret the art for you.

Following the tour, a fresh nacho type salad lunch will be offered, so will non-alcoholic drinks and copious amounts of cups of tea and coffee.

A short drive to another section of sandstone escarpment you will visit another rock art site called Rainbow Serpent Gallery, only recently discovered by your guide.  

Head back to camp and enjoy the fading sun and sunset. Enjoy a dinner of chicken kiev, mashed potato and steam vegetables.

The fire will not be lit this night to allow some star-gazing and the opportunity to see the rings of Saturn. Various constellations and planets will be pointed out and stories shared of how the Kuku-yalanji people viewed the night sky.

Overnight: Jarramali Camp (Exclusive Use)

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 3: Jarramali Camp - Cooktown

Enjoy a hot pancake breakfast with blueberries and strawberries with maple syrup.

Before departing camp today down the hill to see the oldest running Aboriginal Dance Festival,  enjoy the opportunity to see a little of bit of pioneer history: in this case the signature of Robert Logan Jack inscribed in sandstone on the edge of the sandstone escarpment.  Robert Logan Jack was an early (1895) Qld government geologist mapping the Palmer River area. His works were so meticulous and accurate that his works are still used today.

Depart Jarramali Camp for The Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival which is a celebration of Aboriginal culture in Cape York. The Festival is a biennial event celebrating and showcasing the culture of the Aboriginal people of Cape York Peninsula through song, dance ceremony and performance. People from about 20 different communities located across the Cape will meet at the festival grounds in Laura, the site of a very old, traditional Bora ground. At this respected and sacred site, gain an insight into the uniqueness of Aboriginal culture. Witness the story telling of Aboriginal culture through dance, language and art.

Your indigenous guide will host you through the Laura Dance Festival where seating will be arranged to witness this amazing festival. Lunch will be bought and sampled from the many food stalls experiencing cuisine of Cape York. No alcohol permitted at this event.

After witnessing traditional dancing from Cape York, you will be transferred to the Laura airstrip for your short flight to Cooktown; flying time 12 minutes.

On arrival into Cooktown you will be transferred by private vehicle to your overnight accommodation.

Overnight: Sovereign Resort Hotel

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 4: Cooktown - Bremer Island

After breakfast, meet your Akorn representative and transfer by private vehicle to the Cooktown Airport. Fly by private aircraft from Cooktown to Bamaga; a flying time 1 hour, 24 minutes.

Your Cape York private day tour is designed to show you the highlights of Cape York, both from the air and by 4WD. Your Scenic Flight to Bamaga from Cooktown is low level, covering approx. 1100 kms of remote and spectacular reefs, rainforests and outback. The 4WD section of the tour starts with a visit to the Tip of Cape York - you finally made it! You will never look at a map of Australia the same way again! You are now standing on the northernmost tip of the continent.  Cold beverages will be available after the walk on beautiful Frangipani Beach.

Later, drive to historical Somerset beachland visit the original Jardine homestead site.  Walk along Somerset beach, overlooking Albany pass (the old shipping passage) across to Albany Island, discovering the Jardine family and pearl divers gravesites.  Enjoy a delicious lunch on the beach (sandwiches, cold meat, cheese, various salads, fruit and cake for dessert, tea & coffee, cold beverages).  Your next stop is the iconic Croc Tent for souvenir shopping.

Your day will conclude with a visit to the WW2 plane wrecks near Jackie-Jackie Airfield and a drive through the Torres Strait Islander towns of Bamaga and Seisia.

Re-board your aircraft for your flight to Gove, followed by a 10-minute scenic flight to Bremer Island in a smaller aircraft, the Cessna Caravan.

On arrival at Bremer Island you will be met by a Banubanu Beach Retreat representative and transferred to your accommodation.

Overnight: Banubanu Beach Retreat

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 5: Bremer Island

Today is at leisure to enjoy the total experience and bliss of the remote solitude, clear skies, swimming, beach combing and the bright starry night around the campfire.

Optional activities on offer include the following (additional costs may apply): -

• - Fishing - A chance to experience truly world class fishing with a myriad of species including Spanish Mackerel, Coral Trout and other prized blue water and reef fish in the waters surrounding the Gove Peninsula in North East Arnhem Land.
• - Indigenous Culture - As well has providing the opportunity to relax guests can also enjoy traditional hunting and crabbing tours with the Yolngu community who live in north-eastern Arnhem Land and are its traditional owners. The men teach guests how to make a fishing spear and how to use it to catch fish and mud crabs.
• - Bird Watching - Guests can experience bird watching tours and see the many varieties that inhabit the island. The many species of birds spotted on Bremer Island include; Sea Eagles, Ospreys, Brahminy Kites, Whistling Kites and other raptors, Terns, Boobies, Noddies, Oyster Catchers and Beach Curlews, Torres Strait Doves, White Cockatoos, Cormorants, Crows and the occasional Pelican and Brolga.
• - Turtle Watching - There are 4 species of turtles the nest on Bremer Island; the Olive Ridley, the Hawksbill, Flatbacks and the Green Turtle The nest throughout the year, guests sometimes have the opportunity to get up close to these wonderful creatures in an eco-friendly way.

Overnight: Banubanu Beach Retreat

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 6: Bremer Island - Bamurru Plains

After breakfast, enjoy the Retreat’s facilities before lunch at leisure.  

Later, take the 10-minute scenic flight back to Gove to rejoin your aircraft.

Fly by private aircraft from Gove to Swim Creek; a flying time of 1 hour, 18 minutes.

On arrival you will be met by a Bamurru Plains representative and transferred 20-minutes to your luxurious accommodation.

Overnight: Bamurru Plains

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 7: Bamurru Plains

Today is at leisure to participate in the wilderness experiences at the Lodge.

Enjoy a private lunch six metres high in the treetops in Bamurru’s secluded Hide. Includes two hours with a picnic hamper, a selection of premium wines, a bird book, set of binoculars and a two way radio to stay in touch with the safari lodge. Guests will also receive a private safari drive or airboat experience to reach The Hide.

Overnight: Bamurru Plains

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 8: Bamurru Plains 

Today depart on a full day scheduled/shared tour to Kakadu National Park. Commence with a scenic flight to Jabiru in the heart of Kakadu where a field guide and custom built vehicle will be waiting to explore the park's escarpment landscapes and ancient Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr. Join a cruise on the East Alligator River with an Aboriginal guide by your side revealing local mythology, the river's abundant food chain, traditional uses for many plants and animals and bush survival skills before returning overland, with a stop at the Bowali Visitor Centre, in time for sundowner drinks, canapes and the comfort of your safari lodge as the sun sets over Bamurru Plains.

Overnight: Bamurru Plains

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 9: Bamurru Plains - Ayers Rock

On departure, meet your Bamurru Plains representative and transfer to the Swim Creek airstrip to re-join your aircraft. You will be provided with a gourmet pack lunch.

Fly Swim Creek to Tennant Creek for refuelling, then continue onto Ayers Rock; a flying time of three hours, 48 minutes.

Arrive at Longitude 131° to a warm signature welcome. Settle into the relaxed luxury of the surrounds and savour the magnificent views from your balcony as the light shifts and changes over Uluru.  Observe the sights and sounds of the desert along one of the circular walking tracks or simply relax in tent, on the balcony or by the swimming pool with a refreshing beverage at arm's reach.

Later, capture the changing lights reflected over Uluru's many faces as the sun slips down below the horizon, chilled glass and canape in hand. The essential outback experience.

Experience Bruce Munro's internationally acclaimed art phenomenon, Field of Light.  Created from 50,000 bud-like stems and crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres, the installation blooms and appears to sway as darkness descends over Australia's spiritual heartland. Arrive at dusk and meander around the field before enjoying the cool night skies at Table 131. The solar-powered exhibition lights up the outback.

The evening seamlessly segues into an exclusive dining event among the dunes. Feast of four delicious courses complemented with the finest Australian wines. Later, Longitude's resident astronomer regales the gathering with tales of the Southerly constellations.

Overnight: Longitude 131

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 10: Ayers Rock

After a leisurely breakfast, explore the impressive formation of Kata Tjuta, the walls of Walpa Gorge rising obliquely on each side and discover how eons of weathering and continental upheaval have created today's landscape. Pause for a long-distance perspective and photo opportunity before a visit to the Cultural Centre where informative and interactive displays provide insight into the spiritual and cultural meanings of Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

In the afternoon, join the lodge guide for a gentle walk along a portion of Uluru's base and learn about the history of the Mala people, viewing cave paintings and other relevant sites important to both Anangu and the early explorers. Enter Kantju Gorge at dusk to witness the rocks walls ablaze with the light of the setting sun. Revel in the silence with sunset drinks and canapes.

Dine this evening in the intimate ambience of the Dune House.

Overnight: Longitude 131

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 11: Ayers Rock

Established in 1948, Ernabella Arts is the oldest, continuously running indigenous arts centre in Australia.  Today its varied group of artists is a mix of young and old, men and women who continue to evolve the centre from its first incarnation as a craft room, into a culturally strong contemporary art centre producing works in a variety of mediums drawing world-wide acclaim.
By special arrangement, we have arranged for you to visit the closed community to meet the artists and gain insight into the ancient techniques and stories which form the basis of their artworks and understand the indigenous symbols used by the artists to depict their Tjukurpa (sacred stories of country and law), providing inspiration to create your very own ceramic tile.
Before heading back to Longitude 131, peruse the gallery and perhaps find a unique take home momento.

Overnight: Longitude 131

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 12: Ayers Rock - Flinders Ranges 

Rise early and discover Mutitjulu Waterhole and the sacred site of Kuniya Piti as the sun lights up the ancient monolith. Along this walk our guide shares the Anangu creation story of the Kuniya and Liru, adding greater depth to Uluru's striking features.

Return to Longitude 131 for breakfast in the Dune House. Take stock of the journey, capture some last images, complete a journal or send a postcard of Australia's most recognisable natural icon and the resilient presence that has been a constant throughout the stay.

Transfer with Longitude 131° to the Ayers Rock Airport for your onward flight to the outback town of Birdsville. Enjoy lunch in one of Australia’s most iconic pubs – the Birdsville Hotel; a flying time of 2 hours, 6 minutes.

After lunch, experience a spectacular journey over Lake Eyre enroute to Leigh Creek for refuelling, then continue onto Rawnsley Park Station. Prior to landing, your pilot will dip down for a scenic flight over the awe-inspiring Wilpena Pound.  Total flying time 1 hour, 36 minutes.

Enjoy a drive to Wilpena Pound for a short walk followed by watching a stunning Flinders Ranges sunset as you sip on local wine and enjoy delicious canapés.  Wilpena Pound provides a stunning backdrop to this experience.

This evening a 3-course dinner at the Woolshed restaurant is included.

Overnight: Rawnsley Park Station

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 13: Flinders Ranges

After a leisurely breakfast in your villa, head out by 4WD to discover more of the spectacular scenery, wildlife and geological attractions of the Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park, once an ancient seabed. Admire the rugged rock formations of Bunyeroo Gorge and keep an eye out for the elusive yellow-footed rock wallaby at Brachina Gorge. Brachina Gorge also provides a window through 130 million years of the earth’s history and offers insight into past climates, the formation of the ranges and the evolution of early life forms. Continue on to Parachilna, famous as ‘the Ediacara Capital of the World’ thanks to its proximity to the celebrated Ediacaran fossil fields, as well as the historic Prairie Hotel, owned by the Fargher family, which has become an icon of the Flinders Ranges. Sit down to a lunch of the Prairie’s famous 'Flinders Feral' food which focuses on local produce and bush tucker. Emu, kangaroo, quandong anyone?

After lunch travel to the old copper mining town of Blinman before returning to Rawnsley Park.

This afternoon is a chance to relax by the pool or rest up in your eco-villa before taking in another brilliant Flinders Ranges sunset overlooking the rugged Chace Range.

Enjoy a 3-course dinner tonight at the Woolshed Restaurant. 

Overnight: Rawnsley Park Station

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 14: Flinders Ranges - Kangaroo Island

Provisions for continental breakfast are included in your villa this morning.

Fly from Rawnsley Park Station to Kangaroo Island; a flying time of 1 hour, 6 minutes.

On arrival, meet your Akorn driver/guide at the airport. Start the day with a cuppa and some home-baked morning tea before taking a walk down a country track through tall Eucalyptus trees where koalas snooze overhead or wake briefly for a feed.

Travel to Seal Bay Conservation Park take a private tour with your guide among Australian Sea-lions on a beautiful sandy beach – an experience similar to that of the Galapagos. Watch pups nursing or playing in the surf, see old bulls bearing the scars of territorial disputes and learn about their unique breeding biology.

Break for lunch at a private bush camp and enjoy a delicious meal featuring King George whiting (local sea fish), fresh salads and fine South Australian wines.

Head to the north coast. Walk through the bush with your guide – through strangely shaped trees learning what makes that noise or whose tracks those are. Look for small wallabies almost extinct on the mainland, a kangaroo found only on Kangaroo Island and a variety of other birds, plants and animals.

Before returning to your accommodation visit Kangaroo Island Spirits, the home of South Australia’s first boutique distillery, and winners of Australia’s best Gin for 2016 and 2017.  View and taste the range of high quality liqueurs and spirits that reflect local and native ingredients.
Transfer to your accommodation at the Aurora Ozone Hotel.

 This evening enjoy a relaxed dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Aurora Ozone Hotel Kangaroo Island

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 15: Kangaroo Island

After a leisurely breakfast, begin the day on the island’s north-west in an important private wildlife refuge with Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife. Check out wildlife surveys targeting tiny endangered mammals and get an introduction to the bush, so the fire ecology experienced later in the day has context.

Break for an elegant picnic lunch in the bush, featuring marinated poached chicken, fresh salads, cheeses and fantastic South Australian wine, beer, soft drinks and spring water.
After lunch, travel into Flinders Chase National Park and explore the massive shapes of Remarkable Rocks, a natural sculpture perched impossibly on top of a dome of granite emerging from the ocean.
Evidence of the power of the Southern Ocean swell continues at Admirals Arch – a coastal grotto which provides a haul out for a large colony of Long-nosed fur seals who swim effortlessly through the crashing waves.

Transfer back to your where the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight: Aurora Ozone Hotel Kangaroo Island

Meal Plan: B,L

Day 16: Kangaroo Island - Adelaide - Depart 

This morning after breakfast, transfer by private vehicle to the Kingscote Airport for your flight to Adelaide; a flying time of 18 minutes.