West Arnhem Land

This morning you will be collected from your hotel to commence your 7 Day Seven Spirit Bay Short Break.

You will be transferred to Outback Spirit’s general aviation terminal where you will board your aircraft and take to the sky for a 45-minute scenic flight across Van Diemen Gulf (a weight limit of 130kg per guest applies). Once we reach the stunning Cobourg Peninsula, we will land at Vashon Head – the second most northerly point on the Australian mainland and home to Seven Spirit Bay’s airstrip.

Upon landing, enjoy a friendly meet and greet with the crew before taking a 20-minute 4WD trip to the lodge. Here you will enjoy a brief familiarisation of the lodge and surrounds before checking in to your unique and luxurious ‘habitat’ villa.

Later this afternoon enjoy sunset drinks before indulging in exceptional, innovative cuisine with a focus on local flavours and produce. (D)

OVERNIGHT: 5 nights Seven Spirit Bay

On the lodge’s doorstep is a marine wonderland like no other. Dolphins, whales, dugong, manta rays and crocodiles can be encountered on a myriad of marine adventures, and an abundance of fish makes for memorable angling experiences.

There are adventures galore to be had and during your stay at Seven Spirit Bay you can do as much or as little as you desire.

Each day the management team will discuss the range of activities available to you. Most activities are half or three quarters of a day in duration, which allows for a bit of relaxation time around the resort from mid-afternoon.

Over the next few days, you can participate in activities such as:

Marine Wildlife Cruises – spot wildlife as you cruise in Coral or Trepang Bays aboard Seven Spirit Bay’s custom-built adventure craft, MV Arafura. Barramundi Fishing – try your hand at Barramundi fishing in Trepang Creek or an alternative creek depending on where the fish are active.

Bluewater Fishing – in the estuaries and blue water of the Cobourg Marine Park Sanctuary, you can fish in search of golden snapper, mangrove jack and more.

Nature Walks – with an iconic setting and an abundance of bird life in excess of 200 species, you are sure to immerse yourself in the serenity and remoteness of Seven Spirit Bay on a guided nature walk.

4WD Wilderness Adventures – head off on an adventure to Gunners Quoin, Vashon Head, or the magnificent Nipa Palms, only found growing in three locations in Australia, with Trepang Creek being one of them.

Marine adventure to Port Essington – historical tour of Victoria Settlement where you can explore the old buildings while learning about the harsh living conditions experienced during early British occupation (full details shown on Day 5 of your 7 Day Seven Spirit Bay Short Break). (B,L,D)

Please note, all activities are weather and tide dependent.

Do as little or as much as you wish today.
Take an adventure by water or on land. The choice is yours. (B,L,D)

Wake to the sounds of nature, make yourself a tea or coffee in your Habitat Villa and sit on your deck to soak up this unique location surrounded by native tropical forest.

Join an adventure or simply relax in the facilities of the lodge or in the cool water of the palm fringed swimming pool. (B,L,D)

Early morning, we cruise down Port Essington and retrace the course of the early mariners’ square riggers, passing landmarks such as Gunners Quoin, Turtle Rock, Observation Cliff, and Record Point en route to Victoria Settlement.

Established in 1838, Victoria Settlement was the third attempt by the British at a northern settlement, after Fort Dundas on Melville Island and Fort Wellington at Raffles Bay. Conceived to facilitate trade with Asia, the settlement consisted of 24 houses and a hospital, which certainly saw its fair share of patients due to rampant disease and malnutrition.

After you have disembarked on the beach, we will take a fascinating 3-hour tour of the Settlement and learn about what life was like in this remote and unforgiving outpost. There is an optional extension to the walk which leads to lonely gravestones in the forest, almost forgotten by history. After some refreshments on the beach, we will then make our way back to the lodge for lunch.

This afternoon there will be a range of activities on offer. Alternatively, you can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. (B,L,D)

Please note that the day of the Victoria Settlement trip will be determined by the tides and weather and will be advised by management on arrival into camp.

Bid farewell to Seven Spirit Bay this morning and travel to Vashon Head for our 45-minute scenic flight (a weight limit of 130kg per guest applies) back to Darwin.

Upon arriving in Darwin, we head to the city to check in to the Hilton Garden Inn Darwin located on the picturesque Esplanade.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your leisure before boarding the Charles Darwin for a delicious Territory-style sunset dinner cruise and celebrate a truly amazing break! With beautiful views of the Top End city, there is no better way to experience Darwin’s renowned sunsets than from onboard the Charles Darwin. (B,L,D)

OVERNIGHT: 1 night Hilton Garden Inn Darwin

Your 7 Day Seven Spirit Bay Short Break comes to an end this morning.

Enjoy an early breakfast at your hotel before checking out and making your way to the lobby of DoubleTree by Hilton Esplanade Darwin, 116 The Esplanade, Darwin ready to check in for your journey aboard The Ghan Expedition.

Settle into the comforts of The Ghan, relax in your cabin, or mingle with fellow travellers in the Outback Explorer Lounge. Enjoy lunch ahead of your Off Train Experience in Katherine. In a region renowned for jaw-dropping natural assets, the incredible Nitmulik Gorge. (B,L,D)

OVERNIGHT: 3 nights The Ghan Expedition

Your arrival into Alice Springs after breakfast provides you with time to explore this iconic town in the red heart of Australia. Your Off Train Experience choices today include visiting the spectacular Alice Springs Desert Park and Reptile Centre, walking Simpsons Gap, or exploring the historic Telegraph Station and Royal Flying Doctor Service. In the evening, dine under a blanket of stars at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. (B,L,D)

From your morning stop at Manguri, you’ll venture into the weird and wonderful opal mining township of Coober Pedy, where more than half of the residents live underground. Here, you’ll enjoy a day of discovery, and a gourmet lunch in the most unique of locations: underground. Dinner is served back on the train, where you can enjoy a nightcap as your journey continues. (B,L,D)

This morning, you’ll see a dramatic change in landscape as the rich ochre tones of the outback make way for the green fields of South Australia. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as you pass through the majestic Flinders Ranges before your arrival into Adelaide, completing one of the world’s great rail experiences. (B)