Kakadu Photo-workshop 10 - 24 July 2009

Last year, Charlie Waite and myself escorted a group of keen photographers to the Kimberley region of Western Australia. This year we have chosen to go to Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory to see a very different part of Australia and one that offers varied photographic opportunities as well as new challenges to be mastered.

 

10th : Day 1

Arrivals into Darwin during day and meeting up at the Darwin Mantra for dinner, introductions and briefing on the trip ahead.

Accom : Darwin Mantra

11th : Day 2

We leave Darwin and head south across the Elizabeth and Finniss
Rivers. We travel into Litchfield National Park along the more obscure “Top Road” stopping along the way at points of interest like the magnetic termite mounds found only in this region. We then put the 4-wheel-drives to work, travelling into the remote, less visited areas of the park. After a short 1.5km hike we reach Sandy Creek Falls a beautiful area surrounded by monsoon rainforest. There is time to explore this beautiful area, relaxing in the shade of the palm trees or swimming in the plunge pool. Before heading back towards the main road, we stop at Blyth Homestead to visit a piece of pioneering history. We overnight at the Batchelor Motel, the closest accommodation to the park.

Accom: Motel.

 

12th : Day 3

We travel across the top of Tabletop Ranges, and visit Tolmer Falls. We head to Buley’s Waterhole and spend time exploring around the multiple cascading waterfalls, before travelling to Florence Falls nestled amongst tropical rainforest. Swimming is quite safe in the Litchfield waterholes for those who feel the urge.

Accom: Motel.

13th :Day 4

We set off for Kakadu National Park via the southern Pine Creek road and head into the delightful waterhole of Gunlom which is where parts of Crocodile Dundee were filmed.

Accom: Gagadju Lodge Cooinda.

14th : Day 5

Up at dawn for a private cruise on the Yellow Waters Billabong looking for saltwater crocodiles and the abundent birdlife. The still waters are magical in the early light - we may be lucky and get a low mist in the cool air.

The rest of the day we will be conducting one on one clinics to see how you are getting on so far and to address any particular concerns you may have with your photography.

In the evening we can wander down to the waters edge to see the sun set over the billabongs.

Accom: Gagadju Lodge Cooinda.

15th : Day 6

Big day today. Early start and then a 2 hour drive out to Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls. Jim Jim plunges 300 feet into a deep pool and at this time of year there should still be plenty of water coming down. Twin Falls lies at the end of a short boat trip and consists of 2 cascades into a shallow pool surrounded by towering cliffs.

In the afternoon we will climb to a lookout and watch the sun set on the Arnhemland escarpment.

Accom: Gagadju Lodge Cooinda.

16th : Day 7

For those who are still keen we will head down to the Yellow Waters billabong boardwalk at dawn to see what the early light reveals.

Then we head to Nourlangie Rock to see the art sites and spectacular rocky outcrops. In the afternnon and evening we will visit Anbangbang Billabong and enjoy the last light from a lookout (see picture at top of page).

Accom: Gagadju Lodge Cooinda.

17th : Day 8

Morning clinics to answer those pressing photographic conundrums. Afternoon and evening cruise on Yellow Waters. Croc often emerge from the water in the evening and lie of the banks of the waterholes so this is a good time to see them. The paperbark trees look great in the low light so there will be plenty of photo material.

 

Accom: Gagadju Lodge Cooinda.

18th : Day 9

We'll travel, via the Cooinda Cultural Centre, to the northernmost part of the park at Ubirr, where there is an interesting walk through sandstone outcrops alongside the river and another superb collection of rock art galleries.

This is also the site of one of the best views over the classic Kakadu wetlands so we will be spending most of the day here until dusk, before heading back to Cooinda.

Accom: Kakadu Lodge, Jabiru.

19th : Day 10

Early rise and off back to Nourlangie Rock or Anbangbang Billabong for the early light. We'll go back to the hotel to checkout and have lunch before a 45 min drive to Jabiru to catch our afternoon flight to Mr Borradaile in Arhem land where we will spend 3 nights.

http://www.arnhemland-safaris.com

Accom: Safari-style permanent tent.

20th : Day 11

Mt Borradaile

We will have the opportunity to spend time in this protected, highly restricted region via the honorary custodian status conferred on Max and Philippa Davidson of Davidson's Arnhemland Safaris by the traditional landowners of the Mount Borradaile area.

Activities for include bird watching, billabong cruises, barramundi fishing, visiting rock art galleries, swimming in crocodile free rockholes, bushwalking, 4 wheel drive adventure, bush tucker appreciation, photography, exploring catacombs, investigating paperbark swamps and rainforest, wildlife spotting and viewing the exotic flora in this fascinating ecosystem. Or you can just lay back and relax in the tranquility of a remote, pristine wilderness environment that is unmatched in its beauty and diversity.

Accom: Safari-style permanent tent.

21st : Day 12

Mt Borradaile

Accom: Safari-style permanent tent.

22nd : Day 13

Mt Borradaile

Fly back to Darwin in the afternoon.

Accom: Darwin Mantra

23rd : Day 14

Today Charlie and Nick will each talk about the trip and critique everyone's images. Nick will conduct a printing seminar and will demonstrate computer techniques that will enable you to get the most out of your hard-won images.

24th : Departures from Darwin.

 

For prices, bookings and further details visit: Light and Land