Day 1 - Best of the Top End

Around 6am we will pick you up from your accommodation in Darwin and make our way to Corroboree Billabong for an early morning cruise.  Corroboree Billabong is part of the Mary River, which is known to have the most Saltwater crocodiles compared to any other waterway in the world.  The cruise is a great opportunity to see the crocodiles in their natural habitat and observe the local bird life. 

After the cruise, we will travel to the world-famous Kakadu National Park which is half the size of Switzerland and consists of wetlands, rivers and sandstone escarpments.  We'll make a lunch stop on the banks of the South Alligator River; one of the only tropical waterways on the planet to have a catchment area fully protected within a National Park. 

After lunch, we’ll head up to the nearby Ubirr rock art complex to view the ancient art before enjoying the breathtaking sunset from the lookout over the Nardab floodplain.  We finish the day with a hearty meal back at camp. 

Meals: L, D

Day 2 - Best of the Top End

Today we journey across Cahill’s Crossing on the croc-infested East Alligator River into western Arnhem Land. The region is home to world-famous landscapes consisting of sandstone escarpments, ancient rock art sites, forests, floodplains and billabongs with birdlife.  We’ll meet Aboriginal artists at Injalak Arts & Crafts Centre in Oenpelli where you’ll see men painting and pandanus women weaving baskets.  There will be an opportunity to purchase art directly from the art centre.

Once back in Kakadu you’ll connect with a Guluyambi Cultural cruise.  An Aboriginal guide will provide an insight into their culture and local mythology, the river’s abundant food chain, traditional uses for many plants and animals as well as bush survival skills.  We’ll disembark on the Arnhem Land side of the river for a display of traditional hunting and gathering implements. 

As we return to camp, we’ll take a look at the controversial Ranger Uranium mine which sits 8km east of the township known as Jabiru.  The mine has been active for over 30 years and served as a lifeline to the town but operations came to an end in January 2021. 

Meals: B, L, D

Day 3 - Best of the Top End

Today we take the 4x4 track into Jim Jim falls. This is Kakadu’s tallest waterfall standing at 200m tall.  We’ll walk in taking a look at the flora and fauna before arriving at a huge plunge pool and a sandy beach.  We’ll take some time to relax here, go for a swim and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Our next stop will be the Warradjan Aboriginal Culture Centre.  Here, we will discover stories about Kakadu's traditional owners; known locally as the Bining.  This is a chance to learn about one of the longest continuous cultures on our planet, and an opportunity to read about their practices and traditions.  

On our way to camp will visit Yellow Waters; one of Kakadu's best-known billabongs and home to a variety of wildlife.  We'll learn about the importance of the billabong and its history as we take a walk along the viewing boardwalk.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 4 - Best of the Top End

We start the morning with a swim at Maguk (Barramundi gorge).  When we reach the gorge we’ll be greeted by a large cascading waterfall which flows all year-round.  The falls are nature’s version of an aquarium with around 60 species of freshwater fish found here.

In the afternoon, we’ll travel to the south of Kakadu to see one of Australia’s best natural infinity pools perched on the Arnhem Land escarpment.  You’ll have the opportunity to swim and relax among the beautiful surroundings before we make our way to camp.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 5 - Best of the Top End

Today we visit the historic mining town of Pine Creek.  The place is known for its gold rush which began when gold was discovered during the construction of the overland telegraph line in 1881.  We will see relics of the past and see into some of the old gold miner’s pits. 

After Pine Creek we travel to Edith falls in Nitmiluk national park for a refreshing dip; the falls sit on the traditional lands of the Jawoyn people which extends to the southern parts of Kakadu and Katherine Gorge.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 6 - Best of the Top End

Today we will explore Katherine gorge, made up of 13 separate gorges formed by the Katherine River.  We will hop onto a boat and take a cruise to the first gorge before jumping into our canoes and continuing to explore the gorge with our paddles.  This is a great way to get away from the crowds and submerge yourself in nature, spotting local wildlife and taking in the breathtaking scenery.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 7 - Best of the Top End

Today we make our way to one of the Top End’s most loved National Parks, Litchfield.  We will visit some of the sites away from the standard tour route and crowds; being in a modified 4x4 truck we can go where others can’t.  We’ll drive through several creek crossings to our first stop at Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek falls).  As we walk in you may think you’re back in the Jurassic period with the surrounding hills and creek-bed filled with Cycads (Cycas Calcicola) and native cypress pines.  You’ll be rewarded by a swim in a large plunge pool with water falling 103 metres from the escarpment above.

After our swim, we make our way to the historic Bliyth homestead, a great example of early life in the area.  The basic structure was built in 1929 by the Sargent Family who operated a tin mine nearby.

Our final stop on the trip back to Darwin is one of Litchfield’s largest and most popular falls, Wangi. 

When we arrive in Darwin you will be dropped at your chosen accommodation. 

Meals: B, L