Information

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What's Included: 

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• 4 nights camping at Tarntipi bush camp on Bathurst Island. 

• Hotel in Darwin at the beginning and the end of the trip.

• Ferry to and from the islands.

• Transportation while in Darwin and the islands.

• 2 female hosts.

• Tents on the island. 

• All food while on the islands

• Entry fees for Jumping Crocs tour

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Not Included:

• Flights

• Sleeping bag. 

• Dinners in Darwin​​​​

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Meeting point:

 

You can check into the hotel in Darwin anytime after 3pm on May 31st and the trip will officially start when we meet for dinner at 6pm. Darwin airport is only 15 mins drive from the hotel. You have options of Uber, taxis or airport shuttle bus to get there.

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Finish point:

 

We will arrive back to Darwin at about 5pm on the 6th and return to the hotel for a much earnt shower and cosy bed! We will say goodbye and finish our big adventure with a farewell dinner at a restaurant near the hotel. You can book your return flight any time on the 7th.​

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What to Bring:

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• Sleeping bag

• Head torch

• Toiletries

• Towel

• Swimmers

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellant

• Hat

• Long sleeve shirt/jumper (nights can be cooler)

• Loose fitting t-shirts

• Loose long shorts/loose shin length skirt (past knees)

• Water bottle

• Any personal medications (please let trip host know)

• Power bank (there will be no power at the bush camp)

• Journal/book

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***Luggage is limited to a small (approx 10kg) duffle bag per person.***

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EXPECTATIONS on Cultural Learning 

 

The delivery of Indigenous education can differ from the styles of Western education.This information will provide you with a set of criteria with which to evaluate your experience and learnings.

 

Knowledge Delivery

Tiwi education extends from an oral and visual tradition. Information and knowledge is delivered through stories. You might find the same stories are being told multiple times but if you listen carefully, you will realise that small pieces of information are being built upon with each retelling. You might also feel as though the stories do not relate to one another but as understanding grows, the connections will become more apparent. We encourage you to remain patient and open to learning.

 

Participatory Learning

Tiwi education invites participation. Experiences on country are the most effective way of engaging with Tiwi culture. Our cultural educators ask you to walk beside them. This means being open and receptive to the learning that occurs through activities such as fishing, hunting, and gathering firewood. Culture is intertwined in the routines of daily life. The program has been intentionally structured to be delivered to small groups for highly personalised and intimate engagement. We encourage you to participate as much as you can.

 

Time

Tiwi culture is thousands of years old and imparted to a person over the course of their lifetime. You might feel as though the delivery of knowledge is slow compared to what you are used to. We encourage you to notice your own assumptions about time and respectfully honour what you are being shown. 

 

Respect

Our cultural educators encourage people to develop curiosity and learn about Tiwi way. They like to share their language, land and culture. But please be aware there are certain cultural protocols that guide communication and sometimes simply ‘asking questions’ in search of answers will have limitations. There are boundaries on the types of interactions that can occur between men and women. There is also respect given to elders. Although participants are not expected to be familiar with these protocols, they are things to keep in mind when evaluating your experience.

 

Photography & Social Media 

Permission to take photographs needs to be requested from a Tiwi educator and consent provided. We ask that you ask permission before photographing the land or the children. In no circumstances is it appropriate to use photographs for commercial use. 

 

Clothing

Please avoid wearing any skimpy clothing or cut off shorts as this is not culturally appropriate on the Tiwi Islands. Recommended clothing consists of loose fitting longer Shorts or Trousers, loose fitting T-Shirts, loose fitting Skirts that are below the knees that you don’t mind getting a little dirty, wet or muddy. Trainers you don’t mind getting muddy, thongs/flip flops and hat. 

 

Quarantine

Before arriving or leaving, check clothing does not have any weed seeds clinging to the fabric

Strictly no soil or fungus on shoes 

 

No swimming in the oceans or rivers

The ocean and rivers are unsafe due to crocodiles but we will take you to fresh water springs where it is safe to swim. 

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Itinerary:

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The following itinerary is an accurate estimate of the activities that we will be doing during the trip. These activities, as well as the times, may vary due to weather conditions,  or by common consent of the group. 

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DAY 1 - SATURDAY, MAY 31st

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​Time for the adventure to begin! Today we'll check into our hotel and then head off to dinner together around 6pm. We'll all get to know each other and learn about what we'll be up to for the week ahead.

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Overnight at hotel in Darwin.

Meals included today: None

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DAY 2 -  SUNDAY, JUNE 1st

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​Before we head off to the islands we'll have a day to settle into our holiday and explore Darwin. We'll spend the morning getting up close and personal with the crocodiles just outside of Darwin and the afternoon checking out the Darwin museum and the town. But one of our favourites? The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets for dinner! Watch the amazing sunset over the beach and try a huge variety of cuisines from the food vans. Did someone say Laksa? MMmmm.​​

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Overnight at hotel in Darwin

Meals included today: Breakfast, Lunch.

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DAY 3 - MONDAY, JUNE 2nd​

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We'll board a ferry from Darwin this morning for our 2.5 hour journey to Wurrumiyanga (Bathurst Island, Tiwi). When we arrive on the island we'll have a guided tour around Wurrumiyanga community to see the history and modern living that makes this indigenous community of only 1500 people what it is today. We'll visit the museum, church and school before heading out of town to our own private bush camp for the next 4 nights. (No phone reception at the bush camp, however full reception 20mins drive away in community). After setting up camp we'll be welcomed into country with a smoke ceremony and have a meet and greet with the ladies. 

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Overnight at Tarntipi Campground

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

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DAY 4 - TUESDAY, JUNE 3rd​

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Today we begin our lessons in bush craft and head out to collect what we need to create our own personal baskets from natural fibres, collecting plants for weaving and roots for dying. Perfecting the art of stripping the plants ready for use is something that may take practice and dedication, however the reward being a beautiful souvenir to take home with you, your very own weaved basket. 

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Overnight at Tarntipi Campground​

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

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DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4th​

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Today we learn how the traditional owners of Australia survived for thousands of years on the Islands as we head out foraging for food, bush medicine and tools. We will spend the day walking through mangroves, beaches and forest to find seafood, plants and other edible food items to cook up or eat on the spot in natures very own supermarket. We might even jump in one of the most beautiful fresh water springs to cool off in the afternoon…. Don’t worry no crocodiles in this spot!

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Overnight at Tarntipi Campground

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

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DAY 6 - THURSDAY, JUNE 5th​

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Today we learn about spiritual customs, traditional ceremonies and preparations for cultural events. Some of the activities include giving thanks to land, traditional song & dance, finishing our baskets and a thank you dinner with our Tiwi guides. 

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Overnight at Tarntipi Campground

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

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DAY 7 - FRIDAY, JUNE 6th​

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After packing up camp we'll spend the morning tea/Lunchtime at the art centre screen printing a souvenir to take home and getting a private glimpse at how the beautiful, sought after Tiwi clothing fabrics are created. From there we'll visit the Tiwi Designs Art Gallery for more last minute souvenir shopping before boarding our ferry back to Darwin for our final night of tour. 

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Overnight at hotel in Darwin​

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

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DAY 8 - SATURDAY, JUNE 7th

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After having one last brekky together we say see you later. Until the next adventure!

Meals included: Breakfast