Occupational Therapy Study Tour in the Northern Territory

Itinerary at a glance

• Day 1: Darwin (Sun, 23 May) Arrive Darwin and check into the Mantra Pandanas Darwin Hotel. Hear a talk on “A background to the tour and occupational therapy perspectives.” Continue to Mindil Markets and enjoy dinner and drinks in a private area in the market.
• Day 2: Darwin (Mon, 24 May) Take a walking tour with a specialist guide and visit Darwin Botanical Gardens. Visit Charles Darwin University and learn of the history of occupational therapy in the Northern Territory and how the subject is taught in Darwin from senior lecturer Nicole O’Reilly. Partner Programme to the Museum of Darwin. Visit the National Trauma Centre and hear occupational therapist Erica Bleakley talk about her work. Continue to Parliament House, an elegant example of tropical architecture, and take part in a tour. In the evening have drinks with local occupational therapists, followed by dinner on the waterfront.
• Day 3: Darwin (Tues, 25 May) On a bus tour explore the history of Darwin. Follow in the footsteps of pioneers and learn about the city’s history through the World War II bombings and Cyclone Tracy, to the current day. See many of the remaining buildings such as the old Court House and Police Station and the Old Palmerston Town Hall ruins. See hidden treasures including public artwork, architecture, historic buildings and memorials. Visit Territory Therapy Solutions and learn about practice in the Northern Territory from its owner, occupational therapist Julia Swenson. Meet with Felicity Pidgeon and hear about her experience as an occupational therapistworking with remote communities in the Northern Territory, and also India. Partners at leisure. Partners at leisure. Take a sunset cruise on Darwin Harbour Cruise with dinner and drinks.
• Day 4: Darwin / Katherine (Wed, 26 May) Drive to Katherine via Litchfield National Park, visiting the magnetic termite mounds en route.See beautiful Wangi Falls with the option to have a dip in the crystal-clear waters surrounded by lush vegetation. Arrive in Katherine and check into the Ibis Styles Hotel. In the late afternoon visit the pristine wilderness of Katherine and explore it from the water with a dinner cruise along the dramatic Nitmiluk Gorge. Learn about ancient Indigenous rock paintings and gain insight into the culture of the traditional owners of Nitmiluk, the Jawoyn people. Option to take a dip in Katherine hot springs in the evening.
• Day 5: Katherine / Kakadu (Thurs, 27 May) Visit the Community Allied Health Team and learn of their community OT work. Drive to Kakadu visiting Pine Creek en route. Explore Edith Falls and the dramatic landscapes of Kakadu as you drive through the park. Arrive and check into Cooinda Lodge. Dinner at the lodge.
• Day 6: Kakadu (Fri, 28 May) Optional Yellow Water sunrise cruise before breakfast. Cross Cahills Crossing and stop to see the many crocodiles. Continue to Gunbalanya and visit Injalak Arts and learn about the art and culture of the Kunwinjku, Mengerrdji and Erre Peoples. The communities use pandanus palms to weave beautiful baskets, dilly bags and mats. Visit the visitor's centre in Jabiru. Visit Ubirr Rock Sites for sunset before returning to the lodge.
• Day 7: Kakadu / Darwin (Sat, 29 May) Drive to Adelaide River and board a cruise. Learn about the floodplain ecosystem, the history, wildlife and some 40,000 years of human interaction with this stunning environment. Witness the power of the mighty Australian Estuarine (Saltwater) Crocodile as they jump out of the water to feed. Return to Darwin via Berry Springs and take a dip. Farewell dinner in the evening.
• Day 8: Darwin (Sun, 30 May) Depart Darwin.