Best of the Top End & Kakadu

Trip Type: Explorer
Australia | 4 D | 1 - 12 People
Starts From:

NZD 2,359.00 /Person

Admire the magic of Litchfield National Park and cruise through Kakadu National Park on this four-day Top End adventure.

Best of the Top End & Kakadu

Admire the magic of Litchfield National Park and cruise through Kakadu National Park on this four-day Top End adventure. Darwin will provide a gateway to the natural wonders of the Northern Territory, and it’s not long before you’re roaming the vast treasures of Litchfield National Park. Stop for a swim at Wangi Falls and settle in for a picnic next to Florence Falls. A visit to Kakadu National Park comes with a cruise up the East Alligator River with an Aboriginal guide and the significance of Ubirr, all setting the scene for a spectacular trip north.

Welcome to the Top End! Your adventure begins in Darwin (Gulumerrdgen in the language of the local Larrakia people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Darwin is now located) with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, take some time to get acquainted with the capital of the Northern Territory. You may like to take a dip in the Darwin City Lagoon – a protected bay with a net that keeps out crocs and other unwelcome creatures. A visit to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is also a must for a taste of the state’s culture, history and art. After the meeting, enjoy a restful evening before an early start and exciting day tomorrow.

Today, drive into the magnificent Litchfield National Park. Situated on a huge sandstone plateau, the park is home to stunning waterfalls, secret swimming spots and towering rocky pillars. Your first stop will be the Wangi Falls, where you’ll be able to take a short loop walk or go for a plunge in the picturesque natural pool. Then it’s off to the dramatic Tolmer Falls and Florence Falls. Hidden amongst monsoon forest, you'll have a picnic lunch next to a bubbling creek. The last stop for the afternoon is Litchfield’s famous Magnetic Termite Mounds, which are up to 100 years old and unique to the northern parts of Australia, before returning to Darwin for the evening.

Rise bright and early, have breakfast and drive towards Kakadu National Park this morning. Covering an enormous 20,000 sq km, the park is a world of its own. Stop for at the Mamukala Wetlands (and see if you can spot the wetland birds, then drive on to Ubirr, one of Kakadu's rock art gems, where you’ll learn more about the local First Nations history and stories from your leader. Later in the afternoon hop aboard a cruise up the East Alligator River (despite the name, you won’t see any alligators – this is crocodile country) and take in the wonderful pristine wilderness of this World Heritage landscape. You’ll be joined by an Aboriginal guide who’ll provide a unique insight on the cultural significance of the landscape, the local mythology, and the plants and animals that live there. You'll also have the chance to disembark on the Arnhem Land side of the river. After, continue to your Kakadu accommodation for an included dinner with your group.

Your final morning at Kakadu National Park begins with a drive to a local cultural arts centre at Jim Jim Creek. Here, depending on availability, you may be able to take part in a cultural weaving class, learning the craft and listening to local stories about the significance of weaving in the local culture. After lunch, a drive will take you to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), famous for its World Heritage-listed rock art created by the Bininj people. There are various short walks available while you’re here, each offering a different perspective on the wildlife, art and natural features of the area. Then, a drive north will take you back to Darwin where your adventure will finish. If you’d like to extend your stay in Darwin, just speak to your booking agent.

Meals
1 Breakfast(s), 3 Lunch(s), 1 Dinner(s)

Transport
Private vehicle

Accommodation
Hotel (3 nights)

Included Activities

  • Litchfield National Park - Wangi Falls
  • Litchfield National Park - Tolmer Falls
  • Litchfield National Park - Florence Falls
  • Litchfield National Park - Termite Mounds
  • Kakadu National Park - Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River
  • Kakadu National Park - Ubirr Rock Art Cultural Walk
  • Kakadu National Park - Mamukala Wetlands
  • Kakadu National Park - Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site
  • Refresh yourself with incredibly scenic swims in the natural pools of Litchfield National Park, with stops at Wangi Falls and Florence Falls.
  • Marvel at ancient First Nations rock art at Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), and learn more about the wildlife and histories of the respective areas.
  • Hop aboard a cruise up the East Alligator River with an Aboriginal guide who’ll provide a unique insight on the cultural significance of the landscape, the local mythology, and the plants and animals that live there.
  • See Litchfield’s Magnetic Termite Mounds – an icon of the Northern Territory scenery standing 2 m tall and close to 100 years old.

Temperatures in Australia's Top End can be extreme, so you will need to be well-prepared with clothing for the weather. Depending on the time of the year, daytime can be very hot (and the Australian sun is very strong year-round) so always use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures can really drop, so bring sufficient warm clothing. On some days of the trip, you'll spend many hours driving through very remote areas of Australia. Sit back and enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel. The days can be long, but we want to fit as much of this amazing place in as we can in 4 short days! As sunrise and sunset times as well as weather conditions vary throughout the year, we the order of activities may change to ensure you have the best experience possible. On occasion, the First Nations experiences may not be available should our guides have other cultural commitments, in which case we will include alternative activities. If you are looking for a camping-based trip in the Top End you might like our 4-day Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield Explorer trip. Search trip code PZRK on our website.  Want to explore Australia's Northern Territory further? Consider adding on our Best of Uluru & Kings Canyon trip. See trip code PZKR on our website for details.

Departing

Finishing

Booking Enquiry

Destination Details
Australia | 4 D | 1 - 12 People
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Australia
Trip Finishes:
Australia
Countries Visited:
Australia
map

More Experiences From Australia