Darwin & Kakadu

The tour starts at 4.00pm on Tuesday 5 August, at the Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront.

The tour ends after breakfast on Sunday 10 August, at the Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront.

We gather this afternoon at our hotel for introductions, before an early dinner at Snapper Rocks overlooking the harbour. We then kick off our events this evening at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), enjoying VIP access to the iconic Country to Couture fashion runway. An annual showcase of First Nations textiles and fashion, the event builds on the growing design movement in remote Indigenous communities and has been presented alongside the DAAF since 2016. This high-energy runway session will present innovative collections from Indigenous designers and artists across Australia, as well as unique collaborations between Indigenous communities and well-known Australian labels. Overnight Darwin (D)

After a lecture in our hotel this morning, we make our way to the home of Fernanda and Henry Dupal, nestled in Darwin’s northern suburbs. In the garden we find Henry’s ceramic workspace and studio gallery, and underneath the classic elevated house with louvres to catch the tropical breeze is Fernanda’s studio, filled with vintage printing presses, letterpress type, and photographic equipment. We’ll also have the opportunity to create our own cyanotype print using a selection of paper cut stencils, digital negatives, local plants and other materials. Returning to the city centre, lunch is enjoyed at the sensational Hanuman Restaurant with a menu of Thai and Indian cuisine, before the afternoon is spent at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) – the NT’s premier cultural organisation. This evening we return to DAAF for the prestigious National Indigenous Fashion Awards. Recognising and showcasing excellence across six categories, the award ceremony is a unique opportunity for the Australian and international fashion community to connect to the world’s oldest living cultures. Overnight Darwin (B, L)

Darwin has seen its fair share of devastation, from the raid
of 1942 to Cyclone Tracy in 1974, and only a small handful of the original colonial structures have since survived. After wandering the informative displays at Darwin’s Military Museum this morning, we visit one of the few surviving buildings at the unique Burnett House, originally constructed in 1939. Today a National Trust property, our visit includes a tour of the gardens and its clever tropical design features. Lunch is then enjoyed at cafe in the heart of the CBD, before an afternoon at leisure on return to our hotel. Tonight we return to the Darwin Convention Centre to attend the Welcoming Ceremony of the 19th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, showcasing the work of emerging and established Indigenous artists from over 70 Indigenous-owned Art Centres located across Australia’s most remote regions. Overnight Darwin (B, L)

An early start this morning takes us to Darwin airport, where we fly by private charter to Gunbalanya in West Arnhem Land. Our first stop is the award-winning Injalak Arts Centre, where a local artist will take us through a screen-printing textile workshop. We then break for morning tea before taking a short but steep trek up Injalak Hill, one of the richest rock art sites in the world that have been home to Kunwinjku people since time immemorial. Lunch is enjoyed out on country where we venture into Kakadu National Park for a private cruise along the spectacular East Alligator River, taking in the wonderful pristine wilderness of this World Heritage landscape. With special permission of the local people, we’ll also disembark on the Arnhem Land side of the river for a display of traditional hunting and gathering implements. Our cruise concludes with a visit to the vibrant Marrawuddi Gallery before our return flight to Darwin. The evening is at leisure. (B, L)

The day is at leisure to return to the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, only a short walk from our hotel. There is the option to purchase artwork direct at the show, meet many of the artists in person and enjoy a program of material demonstrations, workshops and artists talks. This evening we meet for an early farewell dinner before attending our final event – the 21st National Indigenous Music Awards, held under the stars at Darwin’s historic Amphitheatre. The Awards bring together acts who are yet to make their mark on the world alongside those who have achieved international acclaim. Overnight Darwin (B, D)

The tour concludes after breakfast this morning. There are numerous options for returning to your home city. (B)