The first ever Aborigine owner-managed resort opens this May in the north of Australia! Dugong Beach Resort on Groote Eylandt is an Australian paradise island, about 1.5 hours east of Darwin in the Northern Territories and previously unvisited by international tourists, even though in the far north of the country is when the weather is best during the British summer: not scorching, but plenty of sunshine hours and temperatures up to 29 degrees.
Thought to be the first tourism programme of its kind, owned and managed by an Aboriginal community, Dugong Beach Resort provides visitors with a unique indigenous experience with 4-star comforts.
Although there has never been tourism on Groote Eylandt, the Anindilyakwa-speaking people are keen to show off their way of life, their art and their history. Tours introduced to visitors include Historical Rock Art Sites, Shallow Water Hunting, a Bush Tucker Discovery and Emerald River Tour. Activity seekers will be spoilt for choice with golf, game and fishing, tennis, squash, basketball, dance, gym, netball, touch football and rugby also available on the island.
A stay at Dugong Beach could be combined with a visit to Kakadu National Park, known as Crocodile Dundee’s backyard. There’s no better authentic way to soak up the spirit of Australia than a camping-in-comfort trip, where crocodile sightings are guaranteed. These three day adventures take in the spectacular scenery of Ubirr Rock, the remote Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls (accessible only by four wheel drive vehicle).
The overnight campsites have showers, toilets and comfortable twin-share tents, and all meals and wine are included. For those adventurers who want some relaxation time on the beach, Port Douglas, also in the Top End, is highly recommended, offering a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and 4WD trips into the Daintree Rainforest.
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