1 Kakadu Trek
The Bininj and Mungguy people have called Kakadu home for more than 50,000 years, and rock art throughout this world heritage site provides one of the longest historical records of any human beings on the planet. While most visitors see the art sites at Nourlangie and Ubirr rocks, there are thousands of other galleries across this almost 20,000 sq km national park that are rarely accessed. On Australian Wilderness Adventures’ eight-day Kakadu explorer trek, you journey through the world’s largest open-air art museum, its priceless works displayed on cliffs, cave walls and lofty eyries throughout this strange and beautiful landscape. australianwildernessadventures.com.au
2 Tiwi Islands sailing trip
This three-day sailing trip on the 50ft catamaran Sundancer, accompanied by a guide from the coastal Larrakia people, is an opportunity to experience the culture of the Tiwi Islands, 80km north of Darwin, and meet with artists from the Pirlangimpi and Wurrumiyanga communities. At galleries and art centres on Bathurst and Melville islands the artists share the creation stories behind their bark paintings, decorated fabrics, ceramics and traditional pukumani burial poles. Visitors also spend time with elders learning about Tiwi beliefs and history. saildarwin.com.au
3 Painting in Katherine
On his award-winning cultural experience in Katherine, three hours south of Darwin, artist Manuel Pamka talks about his traditional upbringing and his people’s ancient belief systems. Guests create their own simple rarrk, or crosshatch painting – a style emanating from Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory’s north-east – using fine brushes made from reeds. There are also demonstrations of Pamkal fire-lighting skills, utilising only wood and dry grass, and the secret to propelling a spear with a woomera, a wooden pivot. topdidj.com
4 Mbantua dinner tour, Simpsons Gap
Bob (Penunka) Taylor is a professional chef and an ambassador for his people, the Arrernte. Guests are driven out along the Western MacDonnell ranges close to Alice Springs, through shadowy Simpsons Gap national park at dusk, where Taylor conjures up an outdoor feast using native ingredients on a mulga wood campfire. Among the offerings are a bush tomato and native basil dukkah dip, tender barbecued kangaroo fillet and a wattle-seed and white chocolate pudding. All this, combined with Taylor’s openness and the spectacular outback setting, makes for an unforgettable evening. rttoursaustralia.com.au
5 Pudakul Cultural Tours
Less than an hour’s drive from Darwin Pudakul Cultural Tours open a window to the culture of the Limilngan-Wulna people of the Adelaide and Mary River region. The tours feature members of the local community (Wairuk). The two-hour experience includes a spearmaking and throwing display, a guided bush tucker and natural medicine walk, and lessons in how to play the didgeridoo. Sharing their knowledge of the area’s woodland and wetlands, and the wildlife that frequents them, Pudakul’s guides deliver a slice of life that’s as entertaining as it is authentic. pudakul.com.au
How to get there
With Malaysia Airlines, the holiday begins as soon as you board. Its cabin crew know Australia better than most and will be able to tell you about the best places to visit. Flying on Malaysia Airlines to Australia from London Heathrow offers quick, convenient connections to six Australian gateways via its hub Kuala Lumpur.
There are twice-daily A380 flights from London Heathrow with connections to Sydney and Melbourne, plus daily flights to Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Planes go to Darwin four times a week. Prices for return flights from London to Australia start from just £649. For more information and to book visit malaysiaairlines.com
