Yingana Arnhem Land Day Tour
YOUR EXPERIENCE PROVIDER
Top End Day Tours
Join us for a full day Arnhem Land experience. Yingana is Creation Mother to the local Bininj people of Arnhem Land a central figure in their Dreamtime. During the tour you will not only see the awe inspiring Rock Art Site, Injalak Hill in Western Arnhem Land but you will hear the story of Yingana, her role in the Dreamtime and learn about the incredible cultural significance of this art site.
Arnhem Land is a special place. It’s beauty and rich Indigenous culture means this is more than just an adventure, it is an opportunity to truly connect with Indigenous culture, Country and have a life-changing experience. As this area is Aboriginal Land access is granted via permit from the Traditional Owners the Bininj. The permit system in addition to regulating access, also provides guidance for visitors, ensuring their activities respect property, privacy, cultural beliefs and practices. We work closely with the community to create a respectful and mutually beneficial experience.
Insights into your experience
Our comfortable air-conditioned four-wheel drive vehicle traverses Cahill’s crossing with ease - this is the entry point into Arnhem Land. Now the real adventure begins. Leaving the bitumen behind, travel on unsealed roads as the landscape opens out to a diverse and vast mix of wetlands and towering escarpment known to the local Bininj people as the “stone country”.
Arrive at Injalak Hill and meet your local Bininj guide. The tour is taken at a slow pace enabling a truly immersive experience. Traditional Owners lead you through the stories of generations. Hear the story of Yingana, the creation mother, and how Warramurruggunddji is connected to Indigenous peoples from across Australia.
The Injalak Hill site includes some of Australia’s most significant rock art, depicting multiple aspects of Indigenous history and culture in this truly spectacular and incredibly significant site. Sit in the very spot where Elders have shared Dreaming stories for thousands of years ensuring the continuation of the world’s oldest living culture.
Next enjoy lunch atop Injalak Hill under a rocky overhang, a setting that is nothing less than breathtaking. Below is Magpie Goose Dreaming (a men’s ceremony site) with a backdrop of endless wetlands and the peaceful silence broken only by bird sounds. This is a great opportunity to talk one on one with the Aboriginal guides; our tours are all small groups so you are never far from the front however a chat over lunch is welcome.
Descending Injalak Hill, we then spend time at the Injalak Arts Centre. An art centre and gallery it is also a cultural meeting place central to Bininj culture and the Gunbalanya community. The centre's artists work across many mediums including painting, weaving and carving creating beautiful artworks. Meander through the centre, enjoy watching the artists work with varying techniques to create artworks in the unique Arnhem Land style. Sit under a tree with the women while they weave or just take time to explore and appreciate some of the world’s most highly regarded Indigenous art.
Our time is limited by tides as the water levels at Cahills crossing wait for no-one! Whether your tour finishes at Jabiru or you’re with us all the way back to Darwin we promise your Injalak Hill experience will be unforgettable.
Things to know
This full day tour operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from May to October each year
Pick up/Drop off is available from Darwin or Jabiru
This tour is taken at a leisurely pace so we can enjoy the art works, and the ascent to the top of the hill is carried out in stages with many breaks along the way.
This tour is suitable for active people between the ages of 5 and up with a good level of mobility and ability to climb multiple flights of stairs.
Cost includes:
- Arnhem Land entry permits and Aboriginal Guide
- Full day tour
- Hotel pick up and drop off from either Darwin city or Jabiru in Kakadu
- Visit to Gunbalanya's Injalak Arts and Craft Centre
- Guided walking tour of Injalak Hill
- A picnic lunch* atop Injalak Hill
- Afternoon tea with tea/coffee and snack
*Vegetarians and Coeliacs catered for with at least 24 hours notice.
What to bring:
- Sturdy walking shoes or boots
- One litre water bottle (iced water is available)
- Sunblock
- A hat
- Light, comfortable clothing
- Camera
- Medications and other personal requirements
- Binoculars
- Money or credit card if you wish to purchase any artwork or items at the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre
- A sense of adventure!
Meeting point
Location
Injalak Hill Rock Art Site, Western Arnhem Land
