Kakadu National Park Tour
Prepare for a 4-day Kakadu tour from Darwin. This guided tour allows you to explore Katherine, Kakadu National Park, and the surrounding area. You can witness the world’s oldest and best-preserved Aboriginal rock art, observe crocodiles on a river cruise, and immerse yourself in local culture and traditions. Explore the diverse landscapes of Kakadu, including monsoon forests and breathtaking escarpment country, which are home to a wide range of unique plant and animal species. You will stay in comfortable, air-conditioned accommodations in Kakadu and Katherine during your tour.
| DAYS | 4 |
| DEPARTS | 06:30 |
| RETURNS | 18:30 |
| Price | $ 1950 AUD |
Highlights
- Consider visiting Kakadu National Park, a designated World Heritage site.
- ExploreBowali&Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centres
- You can experience the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River, located on the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land.
- Watch forCrocsandBarramundiatCahills Crossing
- The Ubirr Rock offers stunning Aboriginal rock art and picturesque sunset views.
- Visitors may be guided through the exceptional Aboriginal rock art locations of Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) and Ubirr Rock, depending on conditions and seasonality.
- You can visit the beautiful waterholes in Kakadu and Edith Falls, which provide a serene environment with a waterfall and plunge pool for relaxation.
- Visitors can immerse themselves in Jawoyn culture during a NitNit Katherine Gorge cruise. An optional activity includes a scenic helicopter ride over Katherine Gorge and its surroundings. Additionally, visitors can learn from locals and experience art and culture at Katherine’s Top Didj Art Gallery.
What you can actually see!
Itinerary
Day 1: Darwin to Kakadu National Park
We leave Darwin and head to WakWak, a wetlands region an hour away. The scenery there is magnificent. We may see various birdlife and crocodiles. After that, we go to Kakadu National Park, about 300 km east of Darwin. We visit our accommodation and enjoy the park’s landscape and wildlife. Before going to the East Alligator region, we see the Bowali Visitor Centre to learn more about the park. There, we take a cultural tour of the East Alligator River. We hear creation stories, see birdlife, and hopefully spot crocodiles. We also visited Ubirr Rock, which has a well-preserved Aboriginal art collection. We climb up to see a breathtaking sunset. Finally, we go to our accommodation for dinner.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
The Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel offers a variety of accommodation options, including twin, double, and single rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Driving Distance: 420km
The hike distance is 1km and has a grade of 2-3.
Day 2: Kakadu National Park
Today, we will explore the cultural centres and art sites of the Kakadu and Arnhem Land areas. Our guided walk will take us through the Burrungkuy art site, where we can visit places like Kunwarddewardd Lookout, Anbangbang Billabong, and Nawurlandja. If the group is up for it, we can see the Naguluwurr art site. The landscapes here are breathtaking, with escarpments, stone country, woodlands, floodplains, and wetlands. Take time to appreciate the creation stories and artworks in the galleries, and learn about the local groups, traditions, and wildlife. After watching a beautiful sunset, we will return to our accommodation for dinner and rest.
Meals provided for this itinerary include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Accommodation options at the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel include twin, double, and single rooms with ensuite bathrooms. The driving distance is 150km, and the hike distance is 1km with a grade 2 level of difficulty.
Day 3: Kakadu - Katherine
In the morning, we prepare to travel southwest to Katherine and Nitmiluk. The road offers beautiful views of the Northern Australian bush. Look for wildlife like the red-tailed black cockatoo, agile wallabies, wild horses, and buffalo. We stop in Pine Creek to stretch our legs and enjoy refreshments, including homemade ice cream. Pine Creek has a rich history of the Overland Telegraph and the gold rush era. We can visit the Pine Creek Museum, Australia’s oldest prefabricated corrugated iron building. After checking in to our Katherine accommodation, we go to Nitmiluk National Park and Katherine Gorge. We take the NitNit Dreaming Two Gorge Cruise, which offers a glimpse into the area’s history and stories. The cruise takes us between sheer rock walls and allows us to spot wildlife. After the cruise, we return to Katherine to relax and prepare for our final day of exploration.
The itinerary includes three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and accommodation options at either Knotts Crossing Resort or Contour Hotel in Katherine, with choices of twin, double, or single rooms with ensuite bathrooms. The driving distance is 310km, and there is no hiking involved.
Day 4: Katherine to Darwin
This morning, we explored the Katherine area by visiting the Hot Springs for a soak and float. We then stop at the Top Didj Gallery, where you can see artwork created by local artists and explore the bush tucker and bush medicine gardens. After that, we continue our journey south to the stunning Edith Falls, where you can relax in the picturesque Top End surroundings. Enjoy a picnic lunch, take a refreshing dip in the large plunge pool beneath the waterfall, and take advantage of the opportunity to stay refreshed!
Upon your return to Darwin in the evening, after a refreshing swim, we will ensure that you are back in time to explore the famous Mindil Markets or enjoy a peaceful night at your accommodation, reflecting on your adventures and new friendships.
The meals provided are breakfast and lunch, the driving distance is 350km, and the hike distance is 1km with a grading of Grade 1.
Details
Pricing options
4 Day Kakadu Tours 4WD Adventure:
$1,950 per person *Twin Share Room
*Solo passengers who book this fare option will be paired in a room with another traveller, where possible, with the same gender, but this is not guaranteed.
Children between 12 and 17 must stay in a private room with a legal guardian or adult. Please note that Triple share or family rooms are unavailable, and due to the remote nature of the tour, ensuite facilities are not available at every property.
Not suitable for infants or children 11 years and under
Aditional Information
What's Included?
- 3 Nights Resort Accommodation (Kakadu Jabiru x2, Katherine x1)
- Includes: 3 x Breakfast, 4 x Lunch, 3 x Dinner
- Aboriginal culture and rock art viewing
- Cultural Boat Cruise on East Alligator River
- Kakadu Park permit pass fees
- Guided bush walking tours (~8.5km, grade 2-6)
- Accredited outback driver-guide
- Travel in air-conditioned off-road 4WD mini-coach
- Comprehensive commentary on the tour
- Pickup/ drop-off from selected inner-city Darwin points
What do you need to bring?
- 3L Refillable water bottle
- Hat, Sunglasses, Sunscreen
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- All weather clothing
- Insect repellent
- Money for food & beverages
- Camera
- Towel & toiletries
- Flashlight or torch
- Swimwear or bathers
Exclusions
- Any meals not previously indicated in the itinerary
- Travel insurance is highly recommended
- Pre/post-tour hotel transfers
- Additional personal expenses
- We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance
Tour notes
Weather
The weather conditions in the Top End can fluctuate rapidly and be quite intense at times. Temperatures can soar to over 40+ degrees Celsius in the dry season and drop dramatically in the evening. Before your journey, we recommend checking the average temperatures for the time of year you’re travelling and packing suitable clothing. In the case of rain or harsh weather, expect your tour to go ahead unless otherwise advised by the provider.
Important Notes
- Mandatory passenger details are required when booking: date of birth, gender, and phone number.
- We will try to cater to most dietary needs and food allergies. When booking, passengers MUST notify the tour operator of any special dietary requirements or medical conditions.
- A minimum moderate to advanced fitness level is required to complete the walks. The length of walks will be between 2km to 4km each day, often over steep rocky sections and in direct sunlight and high humidity. An approximate 8.5km walk is included in this tour. Embarking on walks will be at the guide’s discretion to ensure the safety of guests. Therefore, a medium/high fitness level and a doctor’s certificate are required for people over 70 years old (30 days before travel).
- An adult or legal guardian must always accompany children between 8 and 17 years old and stay in private twin rooms. Not suitable for infants or children seven years and under.
- All private rooms are subject to availability and on request.
- Limited storage space on our vehicle, baggage kept to 1 x 15kg travel bag, 1 x 5kg day bag. Not suitable for mobility-impaired travellers, wheelchairs, walkers or strollers.
- Itineraries may vary to adapt to seasonal changes, and occasionally, sites in the parks close or do not allow swimming. As safety is our top priority, we plan to ensure our guests have the most fun and best experience possible on tour.
- Guests are asked to participate in preparing meals, cleaning up, and vehicle unpacking/loading so everyone can relax after a long day of touring. It’s also a great way to get to know and connect with fellow travellers.
Pickup Location
2023 (Shoulder Season)
These departures may operate off a slightly different itinerary due to seasonal waterfall closures, which usually don’t open until late June.
- Departure 1 – Mon 1st May 2023
- Departure 2 – Thurs 4th May 2023
- Departure 3 – Mon 8th May 2023
- Departure 4 – Thurs 11th May 2023
- Departure 5 – Mon 15th May 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 6 – Thurs 18th May 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 7 – Mon 22nd May 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 8 – Thurs 25th May 2023
- Departure 9 – Mon 29th May 2023
- Departure 10 – Thurs 1st Jun 2023
- Departure 11 – Mon 5th Jun 2023
- Departure 12 – Thurs 8th Jun 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 13 – Mon 12th Jun 2023
- Departure 14 – Thurs 15h Jun 2023
- Departure 15 – Mon 19th Jun 2023
- Departure 16 – Thurs 22nd Jun 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 17 – Mon 26th Jun 2023
- Departure 18 – Thurs 29th Jun 2023
2023 (Dry Season)
These departures operate on the standard itinerary.
- Departure 19 – Mon 3rd Jul 2023
- Departure 20 – Thurs 6th Jul 2023
- Departure 21 – Mon 10th Jul 2023
- Departure 22 – Thurs 13th Jul 2023
- Departure 23 – Mon 17th Jul 2023
- Departure 24 – Thurs 20th Jul 2023
- Departure 25 – Mon 24h Jul 2023
- Departure 26 – Thurs 27th Jul 2023
- Departure 27 – Mon 31st Jul 2023
- Departure 28 – Thurs 3rd Aug 2023
- Departure 29 – Mon 7th Aug 2023
- Departure 30 – Thurs 10th Aug 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 31 – Mon 14th Aug 2023
- Departure 32 – Thurs 17th Aug 2023
- Departure 33 – Mon 21st Aug 2023
- Departure 34 – Thurs 24th Aug 2023
- Departure 35 – Mon 28th Aug 2023
- Departure 36 – Thurs 31st Aug 2023
- Departure 37 – Mon 4th Sep 2023
- Departure 38 – Thurs 7th Sep 2023
- Departure 39 – Mon 11th Sep 2023
- Departure 40 – Thurs 14th Sep 2023
- Departure 41 – Mon 18th Sep 2023
- Departure 42 – Thurs 21st Sep 2023
- Departure 43 – Mon 25th Sep 2023
- Departure 44 – Thurs 28th Sep 2023
- Departure 45 – Mon 2nd Oct 2023
- Departure 46 – Thurs 5th Oct 2023
- Departure 47 – Mon 9th Oct 2023
- Departure 48 – Thurs 12th Oct 2023
- Departure 49 – Mon 16th Oct 2023
- Departure 50 – Thurs 19th Oct 2023
- Departure 51 – Mon 23rd Oct 2023
- Departure 52 – Thurs 26th Oct 2023
- Departure 53 – Mon 30th Oct 2023