Operates March to November - Monday – Friday (excluding Public Holidays)
Group Size 2-18
Check-in time 7:30 – General Aviation section, Darwin airport
Departs at 8:00 hours
Returns at 17:15 hours
Not Operating On: 02/04/10, 03/04/10, 05/04/10, 26/04/10, 03/05/10, 14/06/10, 23/07/10, 02/08/10
Tour Highlights
- Learn about the culture of the Tiwi Aboriginal people
- Meet some Tiwi Ladies at morning tea
- Witness a smoking ceremony and traditional dancing
- Local arts and crafts
- Detailed and informative commentary
- Bushtucker Walk
Due to "Bush Holidays" on the Tiwi Islands, the one day tour will be affected from 21 June - 18 July 2010. "Bush Holidays" runs for approximately 4 weeks of the year, where the Tiwi Island people take the children 'out bush' to teach them about hunting, gathering and traditional customs. This tour will not operate 21 June - 02 July 2010 due to no available Indigenous guides and minimal accessible touring content. Tours operating between 05 & 16 July will have slight changes to the tour inclusions and itinerary. Normal touring will resume from Monday 19 July 2010.
A day tour to Bathurst Island provides a unique and rare opportunity to experience a modern day Aboriginal community and learn about the history and the culture of the Tiwi People from a local resident’s perspective.
Itinerary
After a 30 minute scenic flight you arrive at Bathurst Island. Here you are met by your local Guide to be taken on a journey through the progressive, modern day Aboriginal community of Nguiu. Visit the museum with its interesting displays of traditional art and depictions of the Tiwi ‘dreamtime’ stories and Early Mission Precinct with its unique Tiwi style Catholic Church. Hear about the colourful history of the early mission days and learn how the Tiwi people have blended their culture with Christianity. Be taken through the successful arts and crafts centres and see where the artists work. You also have the opportunity to purchase Tiwi arts and crafts and screen-printed fabric at Island prices. At morning tea we spend time with some Tiwi Ladies enjoying billy tea and damper while they work on their weaving and painting. Your guides and the ladies also demonstrate their totem dances and perform a smoking ceremony to bless the visitors and explain the meanings behind them. Learn some of the complex rituals associated with the Pukamani (burial ceremony).
Set out for a scenic drive through the wilderness of Bathurst Island. Enjoy lunch and visit a local waterhole for a swim (bring swimmers and towel). Learn about traditional bush tuckers, bush medicine and natural fibers and dyes on your return to the community for your return flight to Darwin.
The tour departs from Direct Air at the General Aviation Terminal. Please reconfirm your tour 24 hours prior to departure by calling 08 89236523 as flight times can change
We supply
- Mini Bus or 4WD vehicle
- Morning tea
- Lunch
- Permits
- Airfares to and from Bathurst Island from Darwin
- Competent TIWI/NT Resident Guide
Passengers need (In a small bag, due to space limitations)
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Comfortable shoes
- Camera with plenty of film
- Swimwear & towel
- Insect repellent - cream or lotion (non aerosol)
Transfers
- Clients to make own way to/from Darwin Airport.
Special Note
- The roads can be dusty, not a place for your best clothes.
- A reasonable level of fitness is required.
| Tour Prices & Departures |
|---|
| 2010 |
|---|
| A$465 per person |
|---|
| Departs Daily except Sat & Sun (Apr to Nov) |
| 2011 |
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| A$465 per person |
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| Departs Daily except Sat & Sun (Mar) |
|
| Supplements |
|---|
| | | Price |
|---|
| Child Discount |
Save |
A$47 |
| Concession Card Holders |
Save |
A$5 |
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Return flight to Bathurst Island is included in the tour cost and must be purchased at time of booking
• Not Operating On: 02/04/10, 03/04/10, 05/04/10, 26/04/10, 03/05/10, 14/06/10, 23/07/10, 02/08/10
• Tour prices and dates are correct at the time of the website going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking.
• All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, please confirm all details at time of booking.
• For full terms and conditions, please refer to our Conditions page.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Bookings and Conditions
AAT – Australian Adventure Tours Pty Ltd, trading as Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris, Darwin Day Tours and Tiwi Tours (AAH) reserves the right to alter the itinerary or route of any of its tours and arrange alternative carriers if necessary. Tours may be cancelled if road, weather or other conditions dictate. No refunds will be given under these circumstances. Any personal expenses incurred by a passenger as a result of any delay, curtailment or alteration of any tour, whether caused by flooding, mechanical defect or any cause are the responsibility of the passenger.
Prices and Concessions
Prices are quoted in Australian currency, include GST and supersede all prices previously advertised. Please check the exact price of your tour at the time of booking. All prices are valid subject to government surcharges and taxes.
Child prices: Children 15 years and under are entitled to the child price when accompanied by at least one adult.
Concession Card Holders: Pension prices apply to Australian and New Zealand aged pensioners and Seniors Card holders (refer to appropriate price boxes for discount amount).
Single Rooms
Single rooms must be taken and the single supplement paid by clients travelling alone on those tours showing a single supplement price. Refer to the appropriate price boxes and please request at the time of booking.
Cancellations and Amendments
A cancellation fee of 50% applies if less than seven (7) days notice is given and a 100% cancellation fee applies for cancellations within 24 hours of travel. Refunds will not be given for any portion of a tour or itinerary not undertaken after the client has commenced travel.
Hotel Pick-ups
On most tours we will pick up from your hotel at the start of each tour. Pick up times vary and may be earlier or later than the time advertised in this brochure. This time will be confirmed at the time of booking. It is also recommended to contact our office to reconfirm your pick up time a day or two prior to travel.
Tour Participation
On an Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris tour which has overnight accommodation, children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Clients with disabilities are welcome on our tours providing they are accompanied by an able-bodied companion and do not require special assistance from Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris personnel. Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris reserves the right to refuse to carry anyone if it is felt the individual cannot cope with the requirements of coach tour travel and who may require services and facilities that Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris cannot guarantee will be available. You agree to not hold Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris responsible for any decision made by Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris or any service provider to refuse to carry you, provide any facilities or accommodation to you or to provide any service to you. It should be noted that some Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris tours operate in a modular format, consequently you may mix with and meet many different people during your holiday.
Tiwi Islands
Whilst the communities have invited you to visit their homes, please respect the privacy of individuals and families during your visit. All permits to visit will be arranged by Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris. No alcohol is available on these tours and cannot be transported to, nor consumed anywhere near the tour area. Tours may be altered due to cultural reasons at any time.
Travel Insurance
Clients are strongly advised to take out travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances (e.g. cancellation and curtailment expenses, loss of luggage etc). Your licenced travel agent will be pleased to assist with your requirements.
Luggage Allowance
One medium soft bag or suitcase not exceeding 12kg in weight, plus one small day pack which can be carried on board. If your luggage exceeds this limit, we ask that you make alternate arrangements for the excess to be forwarded to the termination point of your tour. In many locations you will be required to carry your own luggage as porterage is not available.
Smoking
Government regulations prohibit smoking inside tour vehicles within Australia. Please restrict smoking to the ample stops en route.
Clothing and What to Bring
Dress in the Northern Territory is usually casual, so bring comfortable, casual clothing. Remember, in the southern part of the ‘Territory’ – i.e. Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Alice Springs – nights in winter (May to August) can be cold, frosts do occur and occasionally a cold wind blows, so bring warm clothing to suit. The days are usually sunny and warm. Around Darwin and Katherine tropical conditions apply, so come prepared. Remember to bring strong, non-slip walking shoes. This is a must. Also, sun hats, sunscreen, swim wear and towel and a personal water bottle are recommended.
Important
Scenic Flights, Boat Cruises, Helicopter Flights, some 4WD Tours, Camel Rides, Hot Air Ballooning, etc.
These excursions are not operated by Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris, nor by persons or companies associated with Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris. These activities involve inherent risk of injury, death, accident, delay and loss, and the client assumes all such risk with regard to any misadventure, death, injury, delay or loss which occurs during, or as a result of any such activity.
Kings Canyon Safety Information
During the hotter months temperatures can reach and exceed 36° C or 97° F. At these times the Watarrka National Park Rangers strongly advise that visitors do not take part in the Kings Canyon Rim Climb. In this drier desert climate heat exhaustion, over these hotter months, is a very high possibility and a danger in such remote regions. To ensure the safety and enjoyment of our clients we offer a guided walk along the Kings Canyon creek-bed as a suitable alternative on such days.
Top End Wet Weather Information
During the wet season in the Top End of the Northern Territory (November to April) heavy rain and flooding can preclude access to Ubirr, East Alligator River and Arnhem Land. Alternative touring will be arranged.
Uluru Climb Information
Throughout the year the Uluru (Ayers Rock) climb may close unexpectedly due to Aboriginal cultural reasons or inclement weather conditions prevailing at the time such as high temperatures, rain, strong winds, storms, low lying clouds or insufficient light.
Refunds are not given in these cases.
General Conditions
This brochure represents the entire agreement between the client and Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris, who is the tour operator. Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris will be responsible to the client for supplying the services and accommodation as described in this brochure, except where such services cannot be supplied, or the itinerary used is changed due to delays or other causes of whatever kind or nature beyond the control of Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris. In such circumstances, we will do our best to supply comparable services, accommodations and itineraries, and there shall be no refund in this situation. Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris and its agents act only as agent for the client and upon the express condition that Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris shall not be liable or responsible for any direct, indirect, consequential or incidental damage, injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity of any kind, which may be occasioned by reason of any act or omission of any third party (including without limitation, any act, inaction or breach of contract of any third party, which is to or does supply any goods or services for this trip). Without limiting the foregoing, Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris does not own or operate any third party suppliers of services such as hotels, restaurants, transportation companies, sightseeing companies or local tour operators. Aussie Adventure Small Group Tours & Safaris is not responsible for any injury, death, loss or expense due to overbooking of accommodations, default of any third parties, sickness, weather, strikes, acts of God, Government, acts of terrorism, criminal activity, war, quarantine, force majeure events or any other cause beyond its control. All such risk, loss and expense must be borne by the client. Occasionally, it may be necessary to alter or amend itineraries, accommodation and sightseeing arrangements from those published. This may be due to road, weather and other operational needs prevailing at the time, and is always made in the best interests of your comfort. Any personal expenses incurred by a client as a result of any delay, alteration or curtailment of any tour, whether caused by mechanical defect, strikes or any other cause are the responsibility of the client (we strongly recommend all clients take out travel insurance. (See your licensed travel agent). The operator is unable to guarantee exact arrival and departure times, and is not liable for any failure to make connections with any other service, or guarantee the operation of any particular service. In the case of breakdown or other unforeseen circumstances, the operator reserves the right to substitute vehicles other than specified, to ensure the operation of a tour. These vehicles will be modern touring vehicles and may not have some of the features described. Please note that if you arrange for payment through an unaccredited agent, the unaccredited agent is not our agent for the purpose of receipt of monies. Receipt of deposits and subsequent payments by the travel agent does not constitute receipt of those monies by us, and the travel agent has no authority, expressed or implied, to receive monies on our behalf. There is no liability on our part, in respect of any monies paid to your travel agent. The company reserves the right to cancel any ticket or booking, or to refuse to carry any client where payment has not been received by the company within the specified time. The company reserves the right to amend or cancel tours at any time.
