Not many non-Aborigines venture into the Aboriginal homeland that is Arnhem Land at Australia's Top End.
Occupying about 97,000 square kilometres of forests and spectacular rivers and gorges east of the Northern Territory capital of Darwin, Arnhem Land is sacred to the Aboriginal people.
Restricted entry
Mostly, people wishing to visit Arnhem Land only reach Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre in Oenpelli (Gunbalanya), which you can reach from the road to Ubirr in Kakadu National Park.
To venture into Arnhem Land requires getting a permit from the Aboriginal Northern Land Council.
Wilderness resort
Visiting and staying in at least one area of Arnhem Land has now been made easy by the Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Resort in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula.
You are flown in a light aircraft over the Arnhem Land landscape on a 45-minute air journey northeast from Darwin over Van Diemens Gulf to the Cobourg Peninsula.
You land at the Midjari private airstrip at Vashon Head and travel to Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Resort by safari vehicle.
Beaches and marine life
In the area are sandy beaches, dunes and associated coastal grasslands, mangroves, rainforest patches, swamps, lagoons, coral reefs, sea grass meadows and rich marine life.
The Cobourg Marine Park protects several rare species, including the dugong and marine turtles such as the loggerhead, hawksbill, green, Olive Ridley, leatherback and flatback turtles.
Aboriginal land
A Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge spokesperson says archeologists generally agree that Aboriginal people have been living in the area for 40,000 years.
The parks lie within the clan estates of the Iwaidja-speaking peoples of western Arnhem Land. Custodianship is shared between four Aboriginal clan groups, the Agalda, Ngaindjagar, Madjunbalmi and Muran.
Special permit
Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge has arranged for visitors to be granted a special permit by the Aboriginal tribal elders to set foot on these ancestral lands.
The lodge
At Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge, stay in what they call "habitats" with floor-to-ceiling louvres to let bird sounds and breezes in. Gardens surround outdoor private bathrooms.
A landscaped outdoor pool is just a splash away if you'd care to take a dip.
From the lodge, you have remarkable views over Coral Bay at the very top of Australia's Top End.
Rates and booking information
Check out current rates and booking information for Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge.
