Nestled in the heart of the Australian Wilderness lies Arnhem Land...
Wild, spiritual, and remote are words that can be used to describe the dramatic and rugged landscapes of one of Australia’s best-kept secrets, the beautiful Arnhem Land. From shallow billabongs to monsoonal wetlands, and from the Gulf of Carpentaria to tropical rainforests full of fascinating animals, this otherworldly place is just waiting to be explored on our tours and holidays in Arnhem Land. Follow your guide as you connect with the traditional owners of this land, the Yolgnu Peoples, and learn how to craft, paint, hunt, and weave just like they do. Share in their stories and enjoy the peacefulness that comes from being in the vast but awe-inspiring Aussie wilderness.Â
Our Arnhem Land tours
8 Days
From
4300
Travel through the rugged landscapes of Kakadu National Park, Katherine and Litchfield...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
Things to do in Arnhem Land

Visit the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre in Yirrkala
If you loved watching and learning how the Yolgnu Peoples craft their art, then you’re going to love walking among more of their work at the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre. Completely controlled by the Indigenous community in Yirrkala, this cultural hub showcases and sells contemporary art by Yolgnu artists with pieces like larrakitj (memorial poles), nuwayak (bark painting), and yidaki (didgeridoo) on display.Â

Participate in cultural activities with Yolngu Peoples
Interacting with and learning from the Yolngu Peoples is, hands down, one of the best experiences on our Arnhem Land tours and holidays. Not only will participating in activities such as painting, weaving, and hunting give you a glimpse into what life is like for the traditional owners of this land, but it will also allow you a deeper understanding of how these communities connect to country and why it’s so important.Â

Trek through the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park
Arnhem Land is full of beautiful and breathtaking landscapes and the rugged and remote Garig Gunak Barlu National Park is no exception. Whether you want to trek your way through the bush and stop to admire native scrubland at every turn, listen out for the calls of birds as they flit between the trees, admire the peaceful coastline, or visit the ruins of a failed Victorian settlement, it’s easy to get lost in the magic and history of this fascinating National Park.Â

Listen to the traditional owners of Arnhem Land
The traditional owners have lived on this remote and magical country for millennia, continuing to work and live as their ancestors did, and as soon as you step foot onto Arnhem Land, it’s easy to see why this spiritual place holds so much meaning and cultural connection for the Yolgnu Peoples. With your group, take the opportunity to learn about the history and stories of this country firsthand from the people who know it best.Â

Explore Bremer Island (Dhambaliya)
We might forgive you for not automatically thinking of Bremer Island’s magnificent coastline when asked about Australia’s best beaches, but one trip here is enough to ensure you’ll never forget its pristine waters and golden, sandy shores. While this largely untouched island might be lacking in size, it has an abundance of beauty with several walking trails waiting to lead you through towering sand dunes and pristine beaches no camera will ever do justice. This magical island is also home to four of the world’s seven sea turtle species so keep your eyes peeled for flippers and multicoloured shells as you’re admiring some of Mother Nature’s best work.Â

Discover interesting native wildlife
Sea turtles aren’t the only creatures that roam the waters of Arnhem Land though with fresh and saltwater crocodiles, water pythons, dugongs, and snubfin dolphins also cruising beneath the waves of billabongs, creeks, and oceans throughout the region. You’re also likely to spot various other mammals such as bilbies, wallabies, and bandicoots on your adventure, as well as snakes, frogs, lizards, and many different shorebirds. Be mindful that there are several endangered species that call Arnhem land home and move carefully through dense rainforests and covered wetlands as some animals can be dangerous when feeling threatened or disturbed.Â
Arnhem Land tour reviews
Arnhem Land FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises). However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy
The best way to travel to Arnhem Land is by flying from either Cairns (CNS) or Darwin Airport (DRW) to Gove Airport (GOV). Each airport has daily flights into Arnhem Land with the flight time around 1 hour and 40 minutes and 1 hour and 10 minutes respectively. If you're travelling from a different part of Australia like Melbourne, Sydney, or Adelaide, you can connect in either Cairns or Darwin and then fly onto Gove Airport.Â
While the rest of Australia recognises 4 different seasons throughout the year, the Yolngu Peoples (the traditional owners of Arnhem Land) actually recognise 6 different seasons categorised by the weather, when flowers and other plants bloom, and when foods foraged from the land are most abundant. These seasons are from January to early March, March to April, May to August, September to early October, October to December, and then from late December to January. Each season experiences slightly different weather patterns but you can expect the months of December - February to be wet and full of thunderstorms and the months of June - August to be very warm with little to no rain.Â
The temperatures in Arnhem Land are always warm, even during the wet season, so packing a reusable water bottle and having it with you at all times is a good idea. You should also pack some comfortable and sturdy hiking/walking boots as there are several different landscapes throughout Arnhem Land including thick bushland, rainforests, coastlines, and wetlands. You should also pack sunscreen to protect you from the sun's UV rays, a first-aid kit, a few snacks to recharge on your adventures during the day, and plenty of weather-appropriate clothes.
There isn't one 'best time' to visit Arnhem Land with each month or season of the year providing something different to do and explore. If you're travelling during the wet season (December to February), expect the rivers, billabongs, creeks, and lakes to be flowing with water and various animals to be out and about but it will also be extremely humid and the chance of rainfall is high. If you're travelling during the dry season (June to August), you can expect high but temperate temperatures without humidity and little to no rainfall.Â
Travellers who come to Arnhem Land in search of fascinating and interesting animals to admire are in luck. Arnhem Land is home to a variety of animals from reptiles to mammals, and from marine life to birds, making it one of the best places in Australia to marvel at different species in their natural habitat. Below is a list of animals you can expect in Arnhem Land:Â
- Salt and freshwater crocodilesÂ
- Hawksbill turtlesÂ
- Black wallaroos
- Dugongs
- Brown falcons
- Dolphins
The Yolngu Peoples, who have been living and working on this land for more than 60,000 years (and still do to this day), are the traditional owners of Arnhem Land. Several famous Indigenous artists have come from Arnhem land such as Glen Namundja who is famous for his bark paintings and for creating Australia's first yidaki (didgeridoo). In fact, the majority of people who live in Arnhem Land today are Indigenous Australians who still paint, carve, weave, and hunt in the same way their ancestors did before them.Â
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.
Read more about Australia
Nov 09, 2021
Raise a toast: 11 of the best Barossa...
Feel on cloud wine at these Barossa Valley wineries.
Dec 18, 2021
The 7 best day walks in Freycinet...
Discover the beauty of Freycinet National Park on these fantastic walking tracks.
Jan 20, 2022
6 of the best Northern Territory...
You'll never run out of fascinating natural wonders to explore in the Northern...
Feb 16, 2022
12 things to add to your Eyre...
The Eyre Peninsula ticks all the boxes for an ocean-meets-outback adventure.
Nov 06, 2021
A foodie’s guide to Margaret River
There are few places where you can go from surf to cellar door.
Nov 06, 2023
10 must-visit beaches in South Australia
Grab a pen, because these beaches are about to be scribbled on your bucket list.
Sep 17, 2021
11 fun things to do in Airlie Beach
This lively beach town offers a little something for everyone.
Nov 21, 2021
A foodie’s guide to Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island is a paradise for foodies, wine lovers and craft beer connoisseurs...
Sep 04, 2023
22 new ways we’re creating positive...
Our not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, is welcoming 22 new partners in 2023....
Apr 08, 2018
Why travelling Australia taught me...
Lauren Wigham's perceptions of Australia were skewed, and she completely...
Jul 12, 2023
The top 10 destinations to travel in...
From the iconic Incan ruins of Peru to the rolling Saharan dunes of Morocco, here...
Apr 14, 2022
6 First Nations bush foods you need...
Australia has a fascinating culinary history, and if you haven’t tasted First...
Aug 14, 2022
9 Byron Bay restaurants to get your...
Because exploring beautiful scenery is hunger-inducing...
Nov 23, 2021
4 epic things to see in the Bungle...
We could wander through the Bungle Bungles range all day. And here's how.
Jun 23, 2021
Family fun for every age in Australia...
Even if your family has already seen a lot of Australia and New Zealand, these kid...
Mar 17, 2019
Heading Down Under? Here’s how to see...
If your only experience of Australia is an old Simpsons episode and Fosters beer...
Aug 09, 2023
What not to do at Uluru
There are plenty of do's at Uluru, but there are also some don't's.
Feb 20, 2020
7 reasons you should explore the east...
Australia is an amazing country. Here are seven reasons to add Intrepid's Sydney...
Dec 14, 2015
The world’s best city rivalries: why...
Whether it’s based on landmarks, music, fashion, food, sport, literature, location...
Feb 07, 2016
Meet the couple that crossed the...
Trina and I sat on my mum’s couch in Manchester, listening to a family friend try...
Jun 21, 2023
Everything you need to know before...
You can't just rock up to Uluru (pardon the pun). Here's all the important stuff...
Aug 31, 2021
11 amazing things to do on K’gari ...
This ever-changing sand island promises an amazing outdoor adventure whether it's...
Jan 12, 2022
Reconnect: Explore Australia and...
Discover family holidays featuring life changing Aboriginal and Torres Strait...