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Escape on an outback safari from Darwin to Kakadu National Park

Journey into the Northern Territory's rugged Top End on this short but sweet four-day tour. Learn about Indigenous legends and customs during the Top Didj cultural experience, go bird and croc spotting in the lush Mary River and see traditional rock art in Ubirr. Climb high to look down on the Nardab Floodplain and then find refuge from the tropical heat in the swimming holes of World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Discover Aboriginal history at Nourlangie and cruise through the towering rock walls of Katherine Gorge. The reds of the soil and orange of the sunsets will leave you with a lasting impression of the Territory’s beauty and biodiversity.

Start
Darwin, Australia
Finish
Darwin, Australia
Destination
Australia
Style
Original
Theme
Overland, Short Breaks, Wildlife
Code
PNTY4C
Physical rating
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 1, Max 21

Why you'll love this trip

  • Explore the highlights of Australia's iconic Top End on this family-friendly adventure

  • Enjoy the flexibility of a private vehicle, the local knowledge of a passionate guide and the magic of camping under the great southern sky in comfortable permanent tents

  • Learn about the ancient culture and traditions of indigenous Australians during an interactive experience in Katherine.

  • The Mary River Wetlands feature a wealth of wildlife, including the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the southern hemisphere. Get up close to the snappy beasts on a river cruise

  • Discover the wonders of Kakadu National Park. See ancient indigenous rock art and take an optional flight over astounding landscapes

Is this trip right for you?

  • The conditions on this trip are of a higher standard than on most of our core trips. Because of this, the trip is particularly suitable for couples, families and those who are less agile.

  • While you'll be spending the nights at outback camping grounds on this trip, you'll be sleeping in permanent tents with furnishings, so you should be comfortable. Evening meals are also catered for.

  • While there will be lots of opportunities to get out among nature along walking trails, these are not particularly strenuous, and you'll often have various options to chose from.

Map of Kakadu Katherine & Litchfield Adventure including Australia
Group silhouette on Darwin beach at sunset
Northern Territory Waterfalls
Kakadu indigenous caveart

Itinerary
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Welcome to the Northern Territory! Your adventure begins in the tropical city of Darwin. Set off from Darwin and head south to Lichfield National Park, a huge sandstone plateau with dozens of waterfalls. Explore Florence Falls, Wangi Falls and the Buley Rockholes. After a picnic lunch, stroll through steamy rainforests and cool off with a dip in one of Litchfield's picturesque swimming holes. The day draws to an end with a wildlife cruise in the Mary River Wetlands, a network of waterways home to crocodiles and native bird species. Enjoy a meal before climbing into bed at the secluded Mary River campsite. All tents are twin-share and come with a proper bed.

Note: Total driving time is about five and a half hours (approximately 400kms)
Total walking time is approximately 45 minutes
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Litchfield National Park
  • Mary River cruise
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast this morning, head to Kakadu National Park and discover ancient Aboriginal rock art in Ubirr. Your guide will lead an interpretive cultural walk through the numerous rock galleries, before you climb to the top of a lookout for views over the Nardab floodplain. Head to either Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) or Gunlom Falls and cool off with a dip in the plunge pools. Tonight, relax by the pool at the Kakadu campground and enjoy a group dinner.

Note: Total driving time is about six and a half hours (approximately 550kms)
Total walking time is approximately two hours
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ubirr Rock
  • Kakadu National Park Fee
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

This morning you have the option to take a scenic flight over Kakadu (at your own expense). The flight takes in views over the Arnhem Land escarpment, vast flood plains and billabongs. Later spend time exploring Kakadu’s other major Aboriginal rock art site – Nourlangie (Burrunggui), while your guide provides a glimpse into how the local Aboriginal people live. After lunch head south and stop to visit the historic gold-mining centre of Pine Creek. Stop for a quick dip at Maguk or Gunlom Falls, before continuing on to Katherine, where you'll settle in for the night at a private campsite near Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge).

Note: Total driving time is about five and a half hours (approximately 400kms)
Total walking time is approximately one hour
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bowali Visitor Centre
  • Pine Creek Gold-Mining Centre
  • Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
Optional Activities
  • Flight (Fixed Wing Aircraft) over - Kakadu - from - AUD150
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Depending on the season, head out on a morning cruise along the inky waters of Katherine Gorge, or canoe between red rock walls that are up to 70 metres high (both of these activities are optional and at your own expense). This 23 million-year-old landscape was formed by the Katherine River, which flows from Arnhem Land out to the Timor Sea. After lunch we head to the beautiful Edith falls for one last refreshing swim in the huge plunge pool before we hit the road back to Darwin, where your adventure comes to an end on arrival. Perhaps enjoy one final group dinner in town and toast to your adventure with your new friends.

Note: Total driving time is about five hours (approximately 400kms)
Total walking time is approximately one hour
Included Activities
  • Edith Falls
Optional Activities
  • Katherine Gorge Scenic Cruise - AUD94
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Meals

3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

All Terrain vehicle

Accommodation

Permanent, furnished tented camp (with shared facilities) (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Litchfield National Park
  • Mary River cruise
  • Ubirr Rock
  • Kakadu National Park Fee
  • Bowali Visitor Centre
  • Pine Creek Gold-Mining Centre
  • Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
  • Edith Falls

Dates & availability

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Important notes

1. Tour commences in Darwin on day 1 at 6:50am and finishes in Darwin day 4 at approx 6pm. Onward travel must be booked for the following day.
2. Strict luggage limit of 10kg applies in Kakadu excess luggage can be stored at Darwin accommodation.
3. The opening and closing of attractions is dependent on National parks.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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Reviews

Our Kakadu Katherine & Litchfield Adventure trips score an average of 4.72 out of 5 based on 29 reviews in the last year.

Kakadu Katherine & Litchfield Adventure, June 2018

Tara Mathews

Review submitted 20 Jun 2018

4 Day Kakadu/ Katherine/ Litchfield Adventure, October 2017

Sabrina McCarroll

Review submitted 10 May 2018

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