| Night
1 |
Your 'welcome aboard' is in the frontier city of Darwin. Embarkation is 1700 hours - time for a cocktail with your fellow adventurers before departure at approximately 1800. Dinner is served shortly after leaving port and then it's an overnight steam to the East Alligator River!
|
| Day
1 |
This morning the True North's favourite 'tender' will provide some not to be missed opportunities to fly over spectacular wetlands adjacent to the world famous Kakadu National Park. Back on the water there will be some hot fishing action in our 'other tenders' for both the novice and experienced angler alike - reef fishing, mud-crabbing and, of course, barramundi fishing are all on the agenda! If you've never heard of the elusive barramundi before - you'll soon know everything there is to know about this revered sport fish! A hard-hitting tenacious fighter prone to leaping from the water; barramundi are equally respected for their fine eating qualities and our guides are never short of a 'barra' story! Join your fellow adventurer for some 'up close' sightseeing in one of our comfortable expedition boats and take in the rugged beauty of Australia's remote top end as we visit Coopers Creek and Minimini Creek. Don't forget to keep an eye on those pesky crocodiles because you won't want to miss dinner tonight! A crisp white will be the perfect accompaniment to barra cooked just the way you like! |
| Day
2 |
Wake off the Coburg Peninsular and to another "not to be missed opportunity" in the ship's helicopter!
This time we explore the ruins of the ill-fated Victoria Settlement. The outgoing flight also visits Frenzy
Creek where sharks, eagle rays, dugong, turtle and crocodiles can all be seen in shallow waters and, on
the way back search for banteng cattle - they can only be found in the local wetlands! Our shore parties
will also visit the remote Black Point ranger station and interpretation centre. Join a walk to the nearby
wetland - our guides will help you identify some of the 85 species of mangrove found in Australia and
the bird watchers will encounter avian fauna of every imaginable colour! Squeeze in some more fishing
time and sample mouth-watering oysters direct from the rock - they don't get any fresher than this! Oh
yeah mate! At days end, the True North's alfresco bar will be the perfect spot for an 'outback sunset' and
our evening meal tonight will be traditional "Aussie Fare" in honour of the 1838 settlers.
|
| Day
3 |
Spend the morning exploring the picturesque Gouldburn Islands. There will be numerous opportunities
for reef fishing, bird watching and beachcombing. Then enjoy a leisurely lunchtime cruise back into
the coast for some more barra action! Visit sites frequented by the Macassans fishermen from Celebes
(Sulawesi) that came in search of prized trepang (sea slugs) long before the arrival of the English settlers,
explore the many mangrove creeks, or join the helicopter for an exhilarating view of the coast vista.
Finish the day with a cocktail before yet another unforgettable evening meal!
|
| Day
4 |
The barra will be on the bite early this morning and see every
kind of water bird on scenic flights over the Arafura Swamp
- possibly the largest paper-bark swamp in the world! Visit Elcho
Island where the Waramirri people will introduce their unique art!
|
| Day
5 |
Everyone on deck for 'action-stations' as we shoot the Gugari
Rip - a spectacular tidal surge that is sure to get the adrenalin
pumping! Then some light game fishing for mackerel and other
surface predators will keep the tempo up! Explore the outer
reaches of the Wessel Group in the helicopter and then join the
crew ashore at Jensen Bay for pre-dinner drinks and aperitif.
Perhaps the highly prized red emperor will be on the menu
tonight before the sometimes outrageous goings on at the
infamous "Captains Party".
|
| Day
6 |
This morning is your last chance to land "the biggest one yet"
as we prepare to leave Northern Territory waters. Reef fishing,
beachcombing and sightseeing opportunities will unfold all day as we explore the Wessel Islands
and Cape Wessel area. In the afternoon guests enjoying the first week only will disembark via
the ship's helicopter for Nhulunbuy (included) before joining a connecting flight to Darwin (also
included).
|
