Top End & Kakadu Adventure

Trip Type: Explorer
Australia | 6 D | 1 - 16 People
Starts From:

NZD 2,625.00 /Person

Take in the treasures of Kakadu, Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks and more magical Top End moments on this six-day adventure.

Top End & Kakadu Adventure

Take in the treasures of Kakadu, Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks and more magical Top End moments on this six-day adventure. From your starting point in Darwin, you’ll soon sample the incredible sights of Kakadu National Park. Cruise down the Yellow Water Billabong and tour the fascinating First Nations rock art at Ubirr. Then it’s on to the contrast of Katherine, where the red expanses of the outback meet the flowing waters of the Katherine River. Finally, the wonders of Litchfield National Park await – all the idyllic swimming holes will leave you spoiled for (a refreshing) choice.

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), capital of the Northern Territory. A welcome meeting at 6 pm will give you a chance to meet your fellow travellers, then you’re free to spend an evening resting before your early start tomorrow. If you arrive early, you might like to take a dip in the Darwin City Lagoon, or visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory for a taste of the state’s culture, history and art.

Rising bright and early this morning, head towards Kakadu National Park. Covering an enormous 20,000 sq km, the park is truly bountiful in its biodiversity. After a chance to stretch your legs on a short walk at Mamukala Wetlands, stop for a picnic lunch by the river at Cahill's Crossing. Then, hop aboard a cruise down the East Alligator River (despite the name, you won’t see any alligators – this is crocodile country). You’ll be joined by a First Nations guide who’ll provide a unique insight on the cultural significance of the landscape, and the plants and animals that live there. After your cruise, set off on the Ubirr walk with your leader. The 1 km loop will lead you past incredible examples of First Nations rock art and to an awe-inspiring lookout point. Tonight, chill at your accommodation of get to know your fellow travellers over a few card games.

This morning, drive 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, offering a different perspective on the wildlife, art and natural features of the area. Your exploration of the natural wonders of Kakadu National Park will continue with an Indigenous-owned cruise along the Yellow Water Billabong. As you glide through the wetlands and tributaries of the South Alligator River, keep an eye out for the area’s rich wildlife – eagles, jabirus, brolgas and plenty of crocodiles all call the billabong home. When you’re back on dry land, you’ll visit the local cultural centre and, depending on the time of day, you may be able to join a weaving or damper making class.

Say farewell to Kakadu National Park and head out on a short drive to Katherine. Along the way, you’ll stop at the historic gold mining town of Pine Creek, then the idyllic Leliyn (Edith Falls). At the falls, there’ll be a chance to take a short hike along the upper pools circuit, go for a swim and stop for lunch. Later, continue to Katherine – a town where the outback meets the tropics. When you arrive, you’ll drop into the Arts and Culture Centre for an introduction to the rich heritage of the area, before making your way to your accommodation for the night.

Start the day with a visit to Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge – a truly impressive series of sandstone gorges sculpted by the Katherine River. Here you’ll have some free time to choose your own adventure – maybe take a cruise down the river to marvel at the dramatic scenery, as local guides provide the historical and cultural context of the region’s flora and fauna. Alternatively, you could head out on foot with your leader and explore Nitmiluk up close. Later, head back to Katherine for lunch and a refreshing dip in the natural hot springs.

For the final day of your Top End adventure, drive to the magnificent Litchfield National Park. Sitting on a huge sandstone plateau, the park is home to stunning waterfalls, secret swimming spots and towering rocky pillars. Your first stop will be Litchfield’s famous Magnetic Termite Mounds, then you’ll visit the Buley Rockhole – a series of shallow rock pools perfect for a quick dip. Then, walk to Florence Falls for a picnic lunch and another swim. If that’s not enough, the amazing Wangi Falls also provide a picturesque spot for a swim. Then, it’s time for the drive back to Darwin. Say goodbye to your newfound friends as your adventure comes to an end when you arrive. If you’d like to spend more time in Darwin, just speak to your booking agent.

Meals
5 Breakfast(s), 3 Lunch(s),

Transport
Private vehicle

Accommodation
Hotel (3 nights), Twin/Double rooms with shared facilities (2 nights)

Included Activities

  • Kakadu National Park - Picnic Lunch at Cahills Crossing
  • Kakadu National Park - Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River
  • Kakadu National Park - Ubirr Rock Art Site Walk
  • Kakadu National Park – Yellow Water Cruise on the South Alligator River
  • Kakadu National Park - Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) main gallery and shelter walk
  • Katherine – Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre
  • Nitmiluk National Park - Leliyn (Edith Falls) Upper Circuit Walk & Swim
  • Nitmiluk National Park - Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge walk
  • Katherine - Hot Springs
  • Litchfield National Park - Magnetic Termite Mounds
  • Litchfield National Park - Buley Rockhole
  • Litchfield National Park - Wangi Falls
  • Spot eagles, crocs and more of Kakadu National Park’s rich wildlife on an Indigenous-owned river cruise along Yellow Water Billabong.
  • Marvel at ancient First Nations rock art at Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) and learn more about the wildlife and histories of the respective areas.
  • Glide or walk along the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge – a maze of waterways spanning over 12 km carved out of ancient sandstone.
  • Refresh yourself with incredibly scenic swims in the natural pools of Litchfield National Park, with stops at Wangi Falls and Buley Rockhole.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Country Needs People. Donations help them support Indigenous land and sea management in Australia. Intrepid will double your impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

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 6 short days! Stay in comfortable beds every night of the trip, with hotel accommodation for three nights and a resort with shared facilities facilities for two nights. Temperatures in the Top End can be extreme. During the day the weather can be very hot (and the Australian sun is very strong) so please bring appropriate clothing, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures really drop so make sure you check the forecast and have a suitable sleeping bag and warm clothes for the climate. As sunrise and sunset times as well as weather conditions vary throughout the year, 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’re looking for a shorter, camping-based trip in the Top End, you might like to consider the 4-day Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield Explorer. Search trip code PZRK on our website. Alternatively, if it is more comfort you are after, search for Best of the Top End & Kakadu (PZKK).

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Destination Details
Australia | 6 D | 1 - 16 People
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Australia
Trip Finishes:
Australia
Countries Visited:
Australia
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