KAKADU HIGHLIGHTS
- A Yellow Water Billabong wildlife cruise, home to a variety of wildlife
- Trek the diverse habitat of the escarpment, from cool Monsoon Vine Forest to the rugged stone country on top
- Stay in exclusive semi‑permanent campsites away from the crowds
- View some of the most beautiful indigenous rock art galleries
- Learn about the area with your expert guides
- Experience the iconic Twin and Jim Jim falls
- Swimming time in natural waterholes and gorges
- Visit Litchfield National Park
- Small group 4WD adventure
Pre Tour Stay
You may like to consider arriving a day before the tour starting date. The cost of the additional night/s of stay applies. Ask our travel team about this option, and the additional costs and subject to hotel availability.
DAY 1
Darwin
Welcome to Darwin! Arrive at the airport in Darwin and make your own way to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. There will be a pre trip briefing at 6pm at the hotel. Dinner this evening is at your leisure.
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Meals: n/a
DAY 2
To Kakadu National Park via Wulna Country
Our journey begins with a pick‑up from the hotel by 7:30am. We head off south‑east to Kakadu National Park. On the way we meet with Wulna Aboriginal elders for a traditional welcome to country, followed by morning tea, damper and a chance to discuss culture, or take a walk by the billabong. We then get off the sealed roads and transfer by 4WD along the old Jim Jim Road, passing some of the area’s great wetlands such as Red Lily Billabong.
In the late afternoon we take a cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong, home to an astounding variety of wildlife. We may encounter Brumbies, wallabies and goannas drinking from the waterside, salt‑water crocodile and thousands of birds including Magpie Geese, Brolga, Cormorants, Pelicans and one of Australia’s largest flying birds – the Black‑necked stork (Jabiru). The flat‑bottomed boat is guided by an expert wildlife guide.
We spend the evening at our comfortable semi‑permanent camp, located at Djarradjin Billabong, in the heart of Kakadu National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Traditional welcome by Aboriginal elders
- Morning tea
- 4WD along old Jim Jim Road
- Yellow Water Billabong cruise
- Overnight semi-permanent campsite, Dajarradjin Billabong Camp
DAY 3
Jim Jim and Twin Falls
Wake up to the dawn chorus of the multitude of birds of the Savannah and wetlands. We drive to Jim Jim and Twin Falls along a bumpy old track, to Kakadu’s most famous waterfalls. Our day is focussed on stunning walks within the World Heritage listed National Park. Our visits to Jim Jim and Twin falls aim for an active experience, walking beyond the reach regular tourist groups.
NB: Jim Jim and Twin Falls usually available after mid‑July. Prior to this we may visit alternative waterfalls such as Gubara. Keep in mind the thundering torrent usually depicted in the postcards is a phenomenon that only occurs during the wet season and this flow declines gradually through the dry season until it is a gentle, but still magnificent, trickle! We return to our semi‑permanent camp near Djarradjin Billabong.
Walking distance: 7km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Drive to Jim Jim and Twin Falls
- Stunning bushwalks
- Overnight semi-permanent campsite, Dajarradjin Billabong Camp
DAY 4
Nourlangie Massif and the Barrk Walk
An early start this morning in order to take in all the highlights of this adventurous walking day. After a scrumptious, nourishing breakfast we drive a short distance to Nourlangie massif and begin our stunning walk – the Barrk and Nourlangie circuit – traversing the crest of this quartzite plateau. Barrk is the indigenous name for the male black wallaroo, a member of the kangaroo family which lives in this area. The walk reveals the extraordinary diversity of habitats of the escarpment, from cool Monsoon Vine Forest to the rugged stone country on top.
We have the opportunity to visit the Warradjin information centre – a place full of fascinating traditional owner information and stories. In the late afternoon we return to Dajarradjin Billabong camp to relax around the campfire and enjoy another delicious evening meal.
Walking distance: 8‑12km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Drive to Nourlangie massif
- Walk the Barrk and Nourlangie circuit
- Visit the Warradjin information centre
- Overnight semi-permanent campsite, Dajarradjin Billabong Camp
DAY 5
Barramundi (Maguk) Falls and Gunlom Plunge Pool
Heading south we will explore some of the other stunning waterfalls and gorges of Kakadu. Maguk (Barramundi) Falls is reached via a stunning walk through the monsoon forest, opening out to a deep plunge pool lined with blonde quartzite cliffs. Keep your eye out for birds such as Rainbow pitas, Emerald doves and Spangled drongos as well as the endemic Anbinik tree – the biggest trees in Stone Country.
In the far south of the National Park we arrive at our semi‑permanent camp near Gunlom. Gunlom is a magnificent waterfall and plunge pool ringed by sandy beaches and pandanus palms, the perfect spot to relax. The sunset views from the swimming pool on top of the Gunlom Waterfall are some of the most iconic images of the Northern Territory – and it’s all just a short stroll from our comfortable camp!
Walking distance: 4km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Travel south
- Explore stunning waterfalls and gorges of Kakadu
- Stunning walk though monsoon forest
- Gunlom waterfall and plunge pool
- Overnight semi-permanent campsite, near Gunlom
DAY 6
Southern Kakadu Wilderness Walk
Over the day we will undertake our expedition by foot, deep into Southern Kakadu Buladjang Country. We aim to visit Motor Car Creek Falls areas and undertake a decent walk (up to 11 km), taking most of the day. The highlight is arriving at an unspoilt, stunning crystal clear waterhole and some outstanding views of the surrounding hills and woodland. We have the freedom to set the pace of the walk depending on the group and weather of the day.
Our walk takes us through open woodland past some remarkable Salmon Gums, glowing pink in the morning sun, before entering an area of pristine monsoon rainforest. Tonight, we can take in our last Kakadu sunset while enjoying pre‑dinner nibbles from the top of Gunlom Falls.
Walking distance: up to 11km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- On foot, deep into Southern Kakadu Buladjang Country
- Overnight semi-permanent campsite, near Gunlom
DAY 7
Litchfield National Park, return to Darwin
After our final night in the semi‑permanent camp at Gunlom, we pack up and make our way to Litchfield National Park. This smaller National Park is home to iconic magnetic termite mounds and mysterious clusters of weathered sandstone pillars known as The Lost City.
On our way we may enjoy a relaxing swim and our last scrumptious picnic lunch at one of the many waterfalls and gorges, before continuing north to Darwin. We expect to arrive back into Darwin and drop you at our group hotel around 5pm. Guiding services come to an end. Enjoy your last night out in Darwin.
Walking distance: 1km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
SNAPSHOT – WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Litchfield National Park
- Overnight Darwin
DAY 8
Darwin. End.
After breakfast, hotel check out. Make your own arrangements for your homeward journey or onward travel. We hope you’ve enjoyed your journey into the unique and unforgettable country of the Top End!
Itineraries may be subject to change, due to circumstances outside of our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance, we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
This itinerary is subject to change with any change in community regulations as well as governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control. If there is any itinerary change prior to departure of significance we aim to inform you prior to travel. Itinerary changes while on tour will be informed by your tour leader/guide while on tour.
