Seven Spirit Bay is in the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, 570 kilometres from Darwin by 4X4, or 45 minutes by plane. The park is in Arnhem Land, on the Cobourg Peninsula, and includes land and marine areas. The park was established in 1974 as the first internationally recognized wetland area of major importance. It contains sandy beaches, dunes, grasslands, mangroves, swamps, lagoons, rainforest, coral reefs, and sea grass meadows and is one of the worlds untouched prestine areas still able to be seen. In the park are exotic birds, dugongs, dolphins, the largest herd of banteng (Indonesian cattle) an endangered species, and six marine turtles. (loggerheads, hawksbill, olive ridley, leathebacks and flatbacks). The park also contains the ruins of Victoria at Port Essington, built in 1838 it was one of the original British establishments in the north of Australia, but abandoned in 1849 due to hostile Aborigines, sickness, and isolation.
This is one of the true wilderness areas and as such retains an abundance of wildlife. Guided tours by foot or boat can take you to all the interesting places. Be careful if swimming, as the area has crocodiles, stone fish and box jelly fish. Ouch!!
|