1 Day Tiwi Island Cultural Tour-Incl. return air ex DRW

Learn about the Tiwi people and their unique culture - a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit a modern day Aboriginal community. A One Day tour will provide you with an insight into the Tiwi People's rich culture and lifestyle. Tiwi Island Tours is an award winning Aboriginal Guided tour highly recommended and sought after by travellers from all over the world.
Return flights to Bathurst Island is included in the tour cost and must be purchased at time of booking

1 day, Priced from A$465
Sightseeing Tour, Departs from & returns to Darwin
Tour code TIB1

Itinerary

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.

Prices & Dates

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.