Australia

Outback Wilderness Safaris,
Nature Tours and Canoeing

Katherine, just south of Darwin, in the Northern Territory of Australia provides an opportunity to experience pristine outback wilderness, encounters with wildlife and nature. If you want a true nature based experience, relaxing and informative safari or a unique family holiday in unspoilt Australian bush, you will not regret the decision to embark on a Northern Territory Canoeing tour. Camp under the stars with an award winning genuine eco tour operator. You may not know it, but canoeing may be the best vehicle for the holiday you have dreamed about. Canoeing is an ideal way of accessing this environment with minimal impact.

We focus on enjoying the environment, so no prior camping or canoeing experience is necessary. If you are an experienced canoeist, more challenging tours can be organised to suit. Canoes and kayaks were selected for speed, comfort and the enviable ability to access areas quietly and with minimal environmental impact. No effort has been spared in regard to quality of equipment and client comfort, with all campsites being well equipped and beautifully located.

Once on the water all tours are fully self contained and guides are free to choose campsites and resting points as suits the guest. Operating with a minimum of 1 guest per tour allows for easy departure confirmations and ensures personalised service from the guide/s. Departure dates, tour locations and itinerary lengths are at the clients discretion, the basic ethos here is, you want to go, so we want to take you, please let us know what sort of adventure you are after and we will put it together.

Tropical Savannah River Systems represent some of the worlds most ancient rivers, featuring superb river scenery, gentle rapids and diverse flora and fauna. No canoeing or kayaking experience is necessary for any tours. Family groups are most welcome. Consistently travelling away from established tour areas has prompted us to put heavy emphasis on guide accreditation and qualification. Apart from canoeing and kayaking instructional skills, guides have excellent presentation, interpretation and cooking ability. All tours have Advanced Eco-Tourism Accreditation and of course the much coveted Savannah Guides Accreditation.

If you are after contact with nature, an Eco-experience, a relaxing de-stress, family fun or just a few days of unwinding beside a remote river, then please call us. Our number one aim is to provide a unique and memorable experience to you, our valued guest.

The majority of our Canoe/Kayak tours take place on the Katherine /Flora/ Daly River System, starting some 40 kilometres downstream from Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge). The area that we paddle through is quite remote and represents a real opportunity for an environmental experience. Typically, 6 out of 10 tours would encounter no other people.

The local Riparian Flora and Fauna is prolific and the scenery is varied and beautiful. The river system flows all year round and during the long 'Dry' season, it becomes the only water source for all manner of wildlife. The diversity of the riverine landscape is high, with many small, gentle rapids and rock bars being encountered. At other places, the river braids into channels as we float through shady paperbark forests and pandanus thickets. The Katherine Region is a terrific place to visit and base your Northern Territory experience from. We are close to, well, everything really! The Kimberley, Gregory National Park, Mataranka/Elsey National Park, Manyalluluk, Kakadu Heritage Area and of course, right on our doorstep, is the magnificent Katherine/Flora/Daly River System.

SAMPLE TOURS

3 Day Katherine River Safari

Easily our most popular trip, (although our guests say that it ended all too quickly). Complete immersion in the environment does take time! Using top quality equipment and experienced, accredited guides, this trip covers upto 55 kilometres of pristine river. Fed by springs and soaks year round, the river winds through rocky banks, paperbark forests, over small sparkling rapids and pandanus channels. Comfortable camping, great dining, fantastic service, wildlife encounters, - it all adds up to being a unique experience. A trip you may never forget.
Departs Tuesdays and Thursdays COST : AU$595.00

5 Day 'Explorer':

A relaxing tour on the lower Katherine River taking in the serenity and itimacy of this stunning river. We spend 2 days floating westward until we meet the flow of the flora river and enter the famous 'Daly'. An ancient savannah river system home to abundant wildlife and diverse plant life. The 3 days we spend on the Daly include exclusive camping on magnificent sandy beaches.
Departs Fridays. Cost: AU$995

6 Day 'Best of Both' Katherine/Daly Rivers

Just as the name suggests, this 6 days gives us time to explore, relax and reflect arguably the best sections of the Katherine and Daly Rivers. Small sparkling rapids, shady channels and sandy beaches, joining ancient and diverse systems. 3 days on the Katherine and 3 on the Daly affords time to Sit-Listen-Relax, you will be captivated by every experience!
Departs Wednesdays Cost: AU$1135

7 Day Katherine/Daly/Flora Wilderness Immersion

7 days gives us time to immerse ourselves in the wilderness, away from immediate civilisation and deep in the tropical savannah outback. Taking in the best of both the Katherine and Daly Rivers we now are able to explore probably the most fascinating and inspiring spring fed river system in the country. The Flora River is a unique emerald coloured system which is deep and clear. View the amazing limestone formations constantly growing across the river on jewelled 'dam like' barrages.
Departs: upon demand COST: AU$1390

5 Day, Paddle and Pack Combo

This is a fantastic idea, joining two great experiences and destinations into one itinerary. Departing Katherine at 7:00AM, we take in the best of the Katherine River over 3 days, a proven quality trip and experience. Return to Katherine, re pack and head off to Umbrawarra Gorge for a night of stars and satellites. Here again we are away from the tourist crowds as we enjoy 2 days of walking and remote camping through this brilliant little sandstone gorge area. Return to Darwin/Katherine by 7:00PM. Accredited guides, fantastic food, a great value experience. This itinerary can also be run in reverse, i.e. commencing ex-Darwin.Accommodation in Katherine is at your own cost.
Departs on demand COST: AU$995.00

6 Day Culture and Canoes

This itinerary commences with a proven top quality 3 day canoe tour. We utilise stable canoes and kayaks, (no experience is necessary), and the enviable ability to get close to wildlife and access exclusive campsites. Float through shady channels and over gently flowing water and unconsciously leave the bustle of civilisation behind. After an evening of rejuvination in Katherine, we will provide you with a special opportunity to visit remote Aboriginal lands. Your guide will greet you in Katherine and you travel by 4WD tour vehicle to the remote Nipbamjen, your accommodation is a comfortable yet simple bush safari camp exclusive to this tour. Spend time with local Aboriginal guides and learn about their traditional lifestyles, hike in pristine wilderness, swim in natural waterholes and soak up the tranquil surrounds.
Departures: Every Tuesday and Friday from May 23rd
Tour size: min 2, max 8
Cost: AU$1745 all inclusive of meals and accommodation (An unsurpassed 'Top Quality' experience).

10 Day Wilderness Escape

Yet another great itinerary, this one a bit longer for the more adventurous. Departing from Katherine, we start with the famous Jatbula Trail walk within Nitmiluk National Park. 5 days of trail walking along the striking Seventeen Mile Valley and Edith Escarpment country. Waterfalls, swimming holes and sheer sandstone cliffs finally bring us to Edith Falls where our shuttle awaits to take us back to our Katherine accommodation (@ own expense). The next morning at 7:00AM, we set off on a 5 day Katherine River Explorer, time to rest the legs and get the blood into the upper body, (nice and slowly of course). This is all inclusive and fully guided, no hassle, let us do all the planning, packing and feeding.
Departs on demand. COST: AU$1980.00

WEATHER: 'Dry' season daytime temperatures range from 25 C to 34 C, whilst the nights are cool and calm. During the coolest months of June and July, nighttime temperatures can drop to below 10 C.

TOURS COMMENCE: April/May each year. Tours run through the 'Dry' season and finish October/November (depending on seasonal variation).

The Canoes/Kayaks
We use 'Scupper Pro' sit-on-top kayaks for all trips over 3 days in duration. They are self draining, comfortable and very stable. Most of our guests have never paddled before, our experienced guides ensure that this is not a problem at all, in fact, feed-back highlights that driving your own boat just adds to the experience. (You can paddle a 2 person canoe if you prefer. Special needs clients may be escorted in a canoe by a guide/chauffer). Guides paddle open 'canadian' style canoes, and carry the food and camping equipment.

Where We Stop
As we are totally self sufficient, we have the luxury of being selective with our campsites and resting points along the river. If you desire, there's plenty of time to relax, swim, fish, bird watch, encounter wildlife and appreciate the scenery. We regularly access these sites with group sizes of 2-8, ensuring that we have minimal impact on the environment.

How Far, How Long, When, How Much
Typically, a 3 day trip will take you upto 55km of river. It's all down stream, and there's little , if any, portaging over rock bars. Tours operate during the 'TOP END' dry season, that's April to October. The temperature ranges from 24 C to 34 C, but the nights from June to August can reach a cool, calm 8 degrees C.

WE SUPPLY:
- All meals - good fresh food and plenty of it, we pride ourselves on our cooking;
- Free transfers to and from accommodation and transit centre, including storage of vehicles and personal belongings;
- Canoes/kayaks, all paddling and safety equipment, waterproof containers and bags;
- Camping swags, sheets, pillows and a sleeping bag (if required), and
- All camping facilities whilst on the river.
- Access to a relaxing and stress free environment;
- The opportunity for clients to have a 'unique and memorable experience';
- Personal attention and instruction;
- Interpretation of natural features, environments and ecosystems;

YOU SUPPLY: Hat, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun smart clothing, personal items, favourite bottle of wine or spirit… and your adventurous spirit.

HEALTH: All participants should be moderately fit and in good health. No prior canoeing/kayaking or camping experience is necessary. If medications are to be carried, it is recommended that extra be included in case of emergencies.

RESPONSIBILITY: All guides are suitably experienced and qualified. Every effort is made to ensure safe touring. Prior to departure, we will inform you of trip details in order to gain your 'Informed Consent'. Established operating and safety procedures will be communicated. In the advent that the guide/s advice is not followed, no responsibility will be taken by the operator for personal injury or loss/damage of personal items. We recommend that clients have appropriate travel insurance cover, both personal and property.

Australia

Outback Wilderness Safaris, Nature Tours and Canoeing

SAMPLE TOURS

Outback Wilderness Safaris,
Nature Tours and Canoeing