1. Home
  2. Oceania
  3. Australia
  4. Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield Adventure
Map of Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield Adventure including Australia

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. Spend time with the Traditional Owners of Wulna Country to learn about their culture, 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 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
Basix
Theme
Explorer
Code
POSK
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

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

  • Learn about the ancient culture and traditions of The First Peoples of Australia during a cultural experience in Litchfield National Park.

  • 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 traditional rock art and take an optional flight over astounding landscapes

Is this trip right for you?

  • Your accommodation on this trip is in permanent tented camps. However this isn't a basic camping experience, as you'll be treated to creature comforts, with proper beds with bedding and linen, electricity, and cooling fans inside your tent. Please note that facilities are shared, including toilets and shower blocks, which are a short walk from the campsite.

  • This trip requires a moderate level of fitness as it involves a lot of walking, allowing you to truly enjoy the surrounding nature. Some hikes are longer and more challenging than others. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing.

  • On some days of the trip, you’ll spend several hours driving through very sparse areas of Australia. Sit back and enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. Think of it as a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie.

  • Temperatures in the Top End can be extreme. During the day the weather can be hot (and the Australian sun is strong) so please bring appropriate clothing, use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures really drop, so ensure you have base layers and warm clothing.

Australia, Kakadu National Park, falls
The sunset at Mary River
Australia, Northern Territory, Mary River, traveller group
Crocodile on the Mary River wildlife cruise
Group of travellers swimming in Florence Falls, Litchfield NP

Itinerary
Expand All Collapse All

Welcome to the Northern Territory! 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). You'll meet your group early this morning to set off from Darwin and head south to Litchfield 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. We then hit the road to Wulna Country, where your Limilngan-Wulna hosts – the land’s Traditional Owners – will greet you with a Cul Cul or ‘Welcome to Country’. Learn about their culture during bush tucker talks and didgeridoo and basket weaving demonstrations. Enjoy a camp dinner before climbing into bed at a private campsite in the Mary River region.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pudakul Cultural Experience
  • Litchfield National Park - Highlights, including Florence Falls, Wangi Falls & Buley Rockholes
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today's first meeting and pick up will take place at the Cavenagh Hotel at 7am this morning. It’s very important that you are on time today as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time, and then head out to Litchfield National Park right away. We recommend you arrive a day earlier. Total driving time today is approximately 5.5 hours (approximately 400 km), and the total walking time is approximately 45 minutes. Please note that all tents are twin-share and come with a proper bed.

After breakfast this morning, head onto the water on a wildlife cruise in the Mary River Wetlands, a network of waterways home to crocodiles and native bird species. Then head into Kakadu National Park proper and discover ancient Aboriginal rock art in Ubirr. Your leader 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. Tonight, relax by the pool at the Kakadu campground and enjoy a group dinner.
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mary River - Mary River Wetlands Cruise
  • Kakadu National Park - Ubirr Rock Art Cultural Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is approximately 6.5 hours (approximately 550 km), and the total walking time is approximately 2 hours.

This morning head to Bowali Visitors Centre. Here 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 leader provides a glimpse into how the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live. After lunch head south and stop to visit the historic gold-mining centre of Pine Creek and its Gold Mining Centre. 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).
Accommodation
  • Permanent tented camp (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pine Creek - Gold Mining Centre
  • Kakadu National Park - Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
  • Kakadu National Park - Bowali Visitor Centre
  • Kakadu National Park - Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site
Optional Activities
  • Kakadu National Park - Scenic Flight - from - AUD150
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is approximately 5.5 hours (approximately 400 km), and the total walking time is approximately 1 hour

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 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.
Included Activities
  • Nitmiluk National Park - Leliyn (Edith Falls)
Optional Activities
  • Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge Cruise - AUD105
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Total driving time today is approximately 5 hours (approximately 400 km), and the total walking time is approximately 1 hour. Arrival into Darwin will be at approximately 6pm. Please take this into consideration when booking onward transportation. We recommend you spend an additional night in Darwin.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

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

Included activities

  • Pudakul Cultural Experience
  • Litchfield National Park - Highlights, including Florence Falls, Wangi Falls & Buley Rockholes
  • Mary River - Mary River Wetlands Cruise
  • Kakadu National Park - Ubirr Rock Art Cultural Walk
  • Pine Creek - Gold Mining Centre
  • Kakadu National Park - Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
  • Kakadu National Park - Bowali Visitor Centre
  • Kakadu National Park - Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site
  • Nitmiluk National Park - Leliyn (Edith Falls)

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield Adventure trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

Prices may go up, so secure your trip today!
Jump to a departure month

Important notes

START & END TIMES
The tour commences in Darwin on Day 1 at 7am and finishes back in Darwin on the final day (Day 4) at approximately 6pm. We recommend you arrive a day earlier, and onward travel must be booked for the following day.

LUGGAGE LIMIT
A strict luggage limit of 10kg applies on this trip. Excess luggage should be stored at your accommodation in Darwin.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is currently NOT available on this trip.

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.

View Essential Trip Information

Reviews

Go to dates