Share with friends

Great Escapes

Escape on an outback safari from Darwin to Kakadu National Park

Share with friends

4 Days

17 August - 20 August

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

Original

Theme

Explorer

Physical Rating

Ages

Min 15

Group Size

Min 1, Max 16

Inclusions:

Meals

3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Meals

3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners

Accommodation

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

Transport

Private vehicle

Activities

Litchfield National Park - 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 - Nourlangie Rock Art Site
Nitmiluk National Park - Edith Falls

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 1

Day 1: Darwin/Litchfield National Park/Mary River

Welcome to the Northern Territory! Your adventure begins in the tropical city of Darwin early this morning at 7am. 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

Litchfield National Park - 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.

Day 2: Mary River/Kakadu National Park

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.

Day 3: Kakadu National Park/Pine Creek/Katherine

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 guide 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 - Nourlangie Rock Art Site
Kakadu National Park - Scenic Flight - from - AUD$150 (Optional)

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

Day 4: Katherine Gorge/Darwin

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 - Edith Falls
Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge Cruise - AUD$105 (Optional)
Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge Canoe Hire - from - AUD$94 (Optional)

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.

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.