Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
calling the AANT (above) in Darwin during office hours; or tuning in to the
local radio stations as you drive. Local tour companies, tourist bureaus, and
police stations should also be able to help.
TOUR OPERATORS
Organized tours can bust the hassles posed by dis-
tance, isolation, and Wet floods in the Top End, and the guides will show and
tell you things you almost certainly would not discover on your own. A loop
through Darwin, Litchfield National Park, Kakadu National Park, and Kather-
ine is a popular triangle that shows you a lot in a short time.
Reputable companies include
AAT Kings
(
&
1300/556 100
in Australia, or
08/8941 3844; www.aatkings.com);
Odyssey Safaris
(
&
1800/891 190
or
08/8948 0091; www.odysaf.com.au);
Sahara Outback Tours
(
&
1800/806
240
in Australia, or 08/8953 0881; www.saharatours.com.au);
Adventure Tours
(
&
1300/654 604
in Australia, or 08/8309 2277; www.adventuretours.com.
au); and
Billy Can Tours
(
&
1800/813 484
in Australia, or 08/8981 9813; www.
billycan.com.au).
VIP Travel Australia
(
&
1800/806 412
in Australia, or 08/8956 2388; www.
vipaustralia.com.au) does luxury organized and tailor-made tours.
Far Out Adventures
(
&
02/6557 6076
or 0427/152288; www.farout.com.
au) does tailor-made four-wheel-drive safaris into Kakadu, Darwin, Arnhem-
land, Litchfield National Park, Katherine, the Kimberley, and more Top End
regions. Proprietor/guide Mike Keighley will create a private adventure to suit
your interests, budget, and time restrictions. Accommodations can range from
luxury hotels to “under the stars” in Aussie bush swags. Touring with Mike can
involve hiking, fishing, meeting or camping with his Aboriginal mates, canoe-
ing, exploring seldom-seen Aboriginal rock art, taking extras like scenic flights,
and swimming under (croc-free) waterfalls. Mike is one of a select group of
operators with Australia's Advanced Eco Tour Accreditation and Savannah
Guide status, and has a tremendous knowledge of the Top End's geography,
Aboriginal culture, and ecology. Fun and personal, his trips are accompanied by
good wine (sometimes in locations like a bird-filled lagoon at sunset) and “bush
gourmet” meals.
Lord's Kakadu & Arnhemland Safaris
(
&
08/8979 2970;
www.lords-
safaris.com) is based in Jabiru and operates charter tours throughout Kakadu
and Arnhemland. Owner Sab Lord was born on a buffalo station in Kakadu
before it was a National Park, and has a strong rapport with local Aborigines.
His small-group 4WD tours, which can be tailor-made, visit the Injalak Hill
rock-art sites in Arnhemland and the arts center at Oenpelli and have exclusive
access to the Minkinj Valley. Day tours to Arnhemland cost A$165 (US$107)
adults and A$130 (US$85) children under 14 and operate May to November.
They also run tours to Jim Jim and Twin Falls.
2 Darwin
1,489km (923 miles) N of Alice Springs
Australia's proximity to Asia is never more apparent than when you are in Darwin.
The northernmost capital, named after Charles Darwin, is an exotic blend of fron-
tier town, Asian village, and modern life. With a population of about 90,000,
Darwin has had a turbulent history—and it shows. This city has battled just about
everything that man and nature could throw at it. Most of its buildings date from
the mid-1970s, after Cyclone Tracy wiped out the city on Christmas Eve 1974.
Don't bother bringing a jacket and tie here. Shorts and sandals will get you most
