At a Glance
Treat yourself to a Top End outback safari and a tropical island escape, with this unforgettable 5-day package that will show you the best of both worlds including the Tiwi Islands, one of the Territory’s best kept secrets.
Commencing in Darwin, head 1.5-hours north to Top End Safari Camp for a truly unique outback experience. Experience the thrill of an airboat ride through pristine river systems. Birdwatch and look out for native wildlife on a billabong cruise. Get the ultimate bird’s eye view with a scenic helicopter flight over the floodplains. Get up close to wild crocodiles on Australia’s only nature-based croc safe pool. Enjoy a gourmet BBQ beneath a blanket of stars. These are just some of the activities and experiences that will stay with you.
Next, it’s time to discover ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- 1-night’s accommodation at Hilton Darwin in a Guest Room on a twin share basis
- 1 night of glamping, in a Deluxe Lotus Belle Tent, on a twin share basis, shared bathroom
- 2-nights’ accommodation at Tiwi Island Retreat in a Queen or King Single Room on a twin share basis, shared bathroom
- Meals: 4 x breakfast, 1 x lunch, 4 x dinner
- Darwin Airport private pickup and transfer to hotel
- Sunset dinner cruise of Darwin Harbour
- Tiwi Island visitor and fishing permits
- Return 30-minute private charter flights to Tiwi Island from Darwin
- All Tiwi Island transfers between the plane and the retreat
- Top End Safari Adventure (Day 2) including crocodile encounter and feeding, airboat rainforest cruise, croc-safe swimming cage, 10-minute scenic helicopter flight over floodplains, billabong boat cruise, and cheese board and nibbles
- All meals, canapes, snacks & non-alcoholic refreshments while staying at Tiwi Islands Retreat
- Daily activities on Tiwi Island including fishing equipment, 2 x 1-hour beach buggy experiences, 2 x 3-hour barramundi and mud crab fishing adventures
Itinerary
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Upon arrival at Darwin Airport, your private chauffeur meets and transfers you to your 5-star accommodation for the evening: Hilton Darwin. Perfectly positioned among the dining and entertainment hub of Darwin’s seafront promenade, Hilton Darwin is surrounded by great shopping, a range of Territorian pubs, as well as some of the most amazing cafes and restaurants in the NT. In the late afternoon, discover the city’s best angles on an iconic sunset cruise of Darwin Harbour. Aboard the 25-metre Charles Darwin, cruise for two and a half hours and enjoy a sumptuous Territory-inspired buffet with fresh Australian seafood and local produce. The crew will provide commentary along the way, delving into the Harbour’s history, cultural significance and biodiversity. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife including crocodiles, dolphins, dugongs and turtles. |
Hilton Darwin or Vibe Hotel Darwin Waterfront
Dinner |
Departing from your accommodation at 11:00am, a courtesy bus takes you 1.5-hours north of Darwin to a Top End safari camp. On arrival, it’s straight into activities. Zip through pristine Top End river systems aboard a fast-moving airboat. Birdwatch and look out for native wildlife on a leisurely billabong cruise. Get the ultimate bird’s eye view with a scenic helicopter flight over the camp. The afternoon finishes with an exhilarating crocodile feeding and show with Outback Wrangler Matt Wright. At the end of the day, take in a spectacular Top End sunset over the floodplains and towering termite mounds. As the sun sets red, purple and yellow, a gourmet BBQ dinner is served around the fire pit – the perfect place to watch as a million stars soon appear in the sky. When you are ready, retire to your Deluxe Lotus Belle Tent complete with double bed, open air shower, private deck area and solar power. |
GlampingBreakfast, Dinner |
Enjoy a delicious cooked breakfast and morning swim in the pool before heading back to Darwin. You will arrive back in the city at 10:00am. At 11am, meet at the pre-arranged point for your air-conditioned transfer to Darwin Airport. Your unforgettable Tiwi Islands adventure will begin when you board the private charter flight direct to Port Hurd airstrip on Bathurst Island. As you fly across the Top End, look out your window for the ultimate bird’s eye views of Darwin, the Beagle Gulf and the Tiwi Islands. Enjoy an enroute stop to the township of Wurrumiyanga, a local community on Bathurst Island. Connect to the Tiwi Island Culture as you embrace on an Indigenous arts and cultural experience. Journey through a local museum depicting their dreamtime stories, visit an old church, meet the Aboriginal community and pop by an arts centre gaining insight into their complex rituals and unique traditions. While here, have a go creating a screen-printed tea towel or t-shirt, a unique and memorable souvenir to treasure of your adventure ahead. Upon arrival, transfer to Tiwi Island Retreat, where you will be greeted with a welcome drink and safety briefing before being shown to your room. Once you are settled, head down to the incredible 12-metre (39ft) waterfront pool or to the spacious outdoor and bistro and bar. Or, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, find out why Tiwi Island Retreat is known as one of the Northern Territory’s best fishing, adventure and Indigenous arts and cultural hubs. There is an activity or tour to suit every taste! |
Tiwi Island Retreat Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
Wake up in island paradise! Head out onto the water today to experience some of the Northern Territory’s most remote, pristine fishing. Your adventure begins boarding a fishing vessel for a truly unique and unforgettable fishing experience. Journey up the channels targeting the legendary Barramundi, catching mud crabs and other species of fish. Be captivated exploring the island’s secrets fishing spot amongst the pristine mangroves as you cruise through the estuary. Be treated to your catching as your hosts will prepare, clean and cook your catch to your liking to have you dining like a king. If you would prefer a different activity or tour, there are several other options to choose from. Try your hand at deep sea fishing or perhaps a heli fish adventure tickles your fancy (at an additional cost). The choice is yours! |
Tiwi Island Retreat Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
Today savour the moments of this pristine island paradise doing as little or as much as you please. Start your morning with a relaxed and gentle 1 hour walk on an Island Walkabout. On a self-guided adventure, immerse the trails in the eyes of the Traditonal owners of the land and connect to country. Leave your footprints and find treasures at your own pace and company. Perhaps another trip out sea is what you desire. A paradise for fishing, try your hand again on another world class fishing adventure. Catch tropical species including Blue Salmon, Queenfish, Golden Snapper, Mangrove Jack and many more! Sail to some of the most remote pristine fishing environments in the world all onboard a deep-sea custom-built catamaran. Of course, indulge in the freshest feast showcasing your catch of today! Those with a penchant for pampering can forego these activities and simply laze by the outdoor deck with a cocktail in hand or perhaps soak all day in the 12-metre pool. Absorb the tranquillity of this remote beachfront location in all its glory. Celebrate your final night with a beach bonfire to cap off a magical journey. |
Tiwi Island Retreat, Bathurst IslandBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Take your time waking up and enjoy your final breakfast at the retreat. After check out, transfer to your charter flight back to Darwin. Make sure to look out the window to soak up the last of those amazing views before touching down at Darwin Airport. From here, you may choose to stay at the airport to commence your onward journey or else transfer back to your Darwin CBD hotel. |
NoneBreakfastDates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please enquiry group bookings or private departures.
More Info
The start and finish point for this tour is Darwin, Northern Territory.
Darwin International Airport (DRW) receives scheduled flights from other destinations in the Northern Territory, Australia and South East Asia.
Darwin is warm year-round, with a dry season Apr–Oct. Wet season (Nov–Apr) can bring flooding, especially Jan–Mar.
The Tiwi Islands, meanwhile, offer an idyllic, year-round retreat with a tropical climate and average temperature of approximately 31 degrees Celsius. However, it is worth noting that the Islands also experience distinct wet and dry seasons, with 90% of rain falling between November and April.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
