Explore the Northern Territory Australia: Darwin to Litchfield & Kakadu

Itinerary in brief:

• 2 nights Darwin
• 2 nights 'Top end' group tour
• 2 nights Darwin

Day 1: Arrive Darwin

On arrival in Darwin, you’ll be greeted and taken by private transfer to your hotel in central Darwin where you will check in for a 2-night stay.

The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the city, why not head to Smith Street Mall and check out the shops, there are several Aboriginal art galleries to explore here as well as plenty of pearl stores, pearling takes place off the coast of Darwin and in the nearby regions, so this will be a perfect souvenir of your trip to the 'Top End'.

Day 2: Darwin

Today is a free day for you to enjoy Darwin, why not head to the lagoon or wave pool for some relaxation or visit the local crocodiles at Crocosaurus Cove, if you’re feeling brave you can even enter the ‘Cage of Death’ for an up-close encounter! Scenic flights and boat cruises offer a chance to see more of the remote wilderness surrounding Darwin or why not take a trip to the nearby Tiwi Islands and learn more about Aboriginal culture in an authentic environment.

On Sundays and Thursdays during dry season be sure to head to Mindil Beach Sunset Market near the Marina, with quirky stalls and tons of street food on offer, watching the sun set on the beach with a beer in hand is a Darwin tradition! 

Day 3: Darwin to Kakadu National Park

Your tour leader will collect you from your hotel early this morning to embark on your 3 day ‘Top End’ adventure. Head out to the Wetlands Region for a Crocodile & Wildlife Cruise on the Mary River Wetlands, a great opportunity to spot a huge range of Top End birdlife, not to mention some fresh and salty apex predators… crocodiles!

We journey on to Kakadu National Park visiting the Bowali Visitor Centre which offers a beautiful introduction to the Park’s landscape and wildlife. After some relaxation at camp, we journey north to *Cahills Crossing on the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land. We will visit one of the best-preserved collections of Aboriginal Rock Art in the world at Ubirr rock upon sunset. This incredibly significant site showcases many styles of Rock Art and allows us to climb up high for a sunset that will blow you away looking out over the Nadab Floodplain. After a big day, we head back to our cozy camp and prepare dinner together, enjoying an evening with our fellow travellers.

Day 4: Kakadu National Park

An early start today as you head out to Kakadu National Park in a 4WD ideal for the outback terrain. Today we’ll spend the day soaking up the spectacular natural beauty of the area, hiking through lush monsoon rainforests, swimming in pristine plunge pools and waterfalls surrounded by steep escarpments and rocky cliffs.

We generally visit Twin Falls or Jim Jim Falls when seasonally accessible, alternatively, we will stop in at Barramundi Gorge (Maguk) or other waterfalls such as Yurmikmik (Motor Car Falls). There are many factors affecting accessibility although your guide will ensure you get the best experience possible.

Time permitting, we stop at Nourlangie Rock, another indigenous rock art site where archaeologists have uncovered works dating back over 20,000 years old. We explore the evolving social, cultural and environmental changes to the area over time before making our way back to camp for a hearty dinner and a well-earned rest.

Day 5: Kakadu National Park to Darwin via Litchfield National Park

Travelling south through Pine Creek, a small pioneering town in the Katherine region outside of Kakadu National Park, famous for its discovery of gold in the 1970’s. We stop for a quick refreshment break at the Adelaide River before our journey leads us to Litchfield National Park.

We spend the afternoon immersed in Litchfield’s natural oasis of waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments. We’ll spend time in any combination of Buley Rockholes, Wangi Falls or Florence Falls for a refreshing soak in picturesque rock holes and waterfalls.

Discover the uniquely impressive Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds before making our way back to Darwin, arriving back to your accommodation at approximately 7:00pm.

Day 6: Darwin

Spend today at leisure in Darwin.

Book a scenic flight or boat cruise for a chance to see more of the remote wilderness surrounding Darwin or why not take a trip to the nearby Tiwi Islands and learn more about Aboriginal culture in an authentic environment.

Head down to the beach and check out the Mindil sunset markets (running on Thursdays and Sundays in the dry season) browse boutique craft stalls, dine on delicious street food and watch the sun go down with a cold beer in hand, a perfect end to your trip to the ‘top end’.

Day 7: Depart Darwin

A driver will collect you this morning and take you to the airport by private transfer for your onward travels.

Why not combine this trip with a visit to Indonesia? Bali is a short 2.5-hour flight from Darwin, so you could add on some beach time with our 8-day Bali trip?