7 – day Cobourg / Tiwi Islands

Highlights

• enjoy the beauty of Garig Gunak Barlu (Cobourg) National Park
• visit historic Victoria Settlement in Port Essington
• Meet the local Tiwi artists at Munupi Arts and Crafts Centre

Prices include all meals, accommodation on board, all shore excursions and use of fishing gear, binoculars and other equipment aboard.

See Image Galleries

Day 1
Embark at Cullen Bay Marina in Darwin at about 0900 for a briefing and morning tea prior to departure through the lock at 1000. Sail north east through the Vernon Islands then overnight to our anchorages at Garig Gunak Barlu (Cobourg) National Park.

Enjoyed every minute – delicious food, brilliant sailing, an opportunity for exploration of land and water, great opportunity to learn about Indigenous community and Tiwi culture. A truly memorable trip and an excellent opportunity for relaxation. PS Coffee made with love is to die for!
Tony and Cath, Port Macquarie NSW

Day 2

Opportunity to relax, fish and explore parts of Garig Gunak Barlu (Cobourg) National Park.

Day 3
East to Vashon Head at the entrance of Port Essington then south to Black Point Ranger Station and a visit to the Information Centre for the Garig Gunak Barlu (Cobourg) National Park. Sail further south into Port Essington to visit Victoria Settlement before anchoring for the evening in the lee of the sand spit at Record Point.

Day 4
Sail past the cultured pearl leases at Knocker Bay and the exclusive Seven Spirit Bay Resort at Coral Bay before again passing Vashon Head and heading west to Melville Island (one of the two islands that make up the Tiwi Islands) where we will anchor for the night at the mouth of the Johnston River.

Day 5
Sailing further to the west we pass the community of Milikapiti (Snake Bay) before rounding Cape Van Diemen and entering the Apsley Straits. We anchor tonight near the community of Pirlangimpi (Garden Point).

Day 6
Going ashore in the morning we will walk through the community to the Munupi Arts and Crafts Centre to meet with local Tiwi artists. Guests will have an opportunity to purchase art or craft from the Centre later in the day. Activities may include a visit to the local school, instruction in Tiwi painting and weaving, swimming in a fresh water waterhole, trying some bush tucker or just talking about Tiwi culture. We will return to the boat for sundowners and dinner and anchor a few miles south of the community.

Day 7
We will motor south through the Apsley Straits, passing the largest community in the Tiwi Islands at Nguiu on Bathurst Island then set sail for Darwin across the Timor Sea some 40 nm to the south. We will complete this 7 day adventure with dinner at one of the many restaurants at Cullen Bay.