With a total area of 97,000 square kilometres, which includes Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land is home to the region's largest predator – the saltwater crocodile – dugong and nesting turtles, as well as hundreds of bird species.
One of the Top End's most spectacular natural destinations, its beautiful and diverse scenery includes rugged coastlines, sandy beaches , remote islands, rivers teeming with fish, towering escarpments and Garig Gunak National Park. Prolific wildlife includes hundreds of bird species including jacana, azure kingfishers, magpie geese, brolga and jabiru. The region is one of the world’s best fishing destinations and you can join a bluewater fishing charter to catch red emperor, Spanish mackerel and coral trout, or cruise inland on a tidal estuary in search of the famed barramundi.
The region takes its name from the Dutch East India Company ship named after the city of Arnhem, which in 1623 rounded what its captain subsequently named Cape Arnhem, to sail into the Gulf of Carpentaria. This area has been continuously occupied by indigenous peoples for tens of thousands of years, and it is here that the oldest-known stone axe – believed to be 35,500 years old – was found. It was declared an Aboriginal Reserve in 1931, and remains one of the largest in Australia – famed for the art and the traditions of its indigenous inhabitants.
Northeast Arnhem Land is home to the Yolngu, one of the country’s largest indigenous groups, who maintain a vigorous traditional culture. Arnhem Land is also notable for Aboriginal rock-art – some of the finest examples are found at Ubirr Rock, Injalak Hill, and in the Canon Hill area.
This special journey through Australia’s tropical Outback – the Top End – is for curious adventurers with a taste for wilderness and wildlife. During your stay in Arnhem Land at Kakadu and Mary River National Parks, you’ll walk and visit rock art sites, and learn about the Top End’s remarkable fauna. Find out more about Kakadu Wildlife Bonanza
Flying over Kakadu National Park, and into Bamurru plains and Arnhem Land, gives you a fantastic bird’s-eye view of the incredibly rich biodiversity. The coastal floodplains of Northern Australia are home to prolific birdlife, while Kakadu and Arnhem Land are the heartland of its indigenous culture. Find out more about Wings over the Top End
Arnhemland Safari Lodge began in 1986, when the area’s traditional owners approached Max Davidson about setting up a venture at Mount Borradaile in the heart of Arnhem Land. It has since evolved to offer accommodation and facilities that complement the wilderness experience, plus a range of activities. Find Out More about Davidson’s Arnhemland Safari Lodge
