Best of the Top End & Kakadu

Best of the Top End & Kakadu

4 Days Starting and ending in Darwin

Visiting: Darwin, Litchfield National Park / Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Kakadu National Park / Darwin

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

PZKK

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

15-99 years

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

From: $1945

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Admire the magic of Litchfield National Park and cruise through Kakadu National Park on this four-day Top End adventure. Darwin will provide a gateway to the natural wonders of the Northern Territory, and it’s not long before you’re roaming the vast treasures of Litchfield National Park. Stop for a swim at Wangi Falls and settle in for a picnic next to Florence Falls. A visit to Kakadu National Park comes with a cruise up the East Alligator River with an Aboriginal guide and the significance of Ubirr, all setting the scene for a spectacular trip north.

Highlights

  • Refresh yourself with incredibly scenic swims in the natural pools of Litchfield National Park, with stops at Wangi Falls and Florence Falls.

  • Take part in a cultural weaving class at the arts centre near Jim Jim Creek and hear fascinating stories about the significance of weaving to the local culture.

  • Marvel at ancient First Nations rock art at Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), and learn more about the wildlife and histories of the respective areas.

  • Visit the entrance Mikkinj Valley – named for its stunning red lilies – and enjoy a stop for lunch amongst the billabongs, wildlife and towering escarpment.

  • See Litchfield’s Magnetic Termite Mounds – an icon of the Northern Territory scenery standing 2 m tall and close to 100 years old.

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Greening Australia. Donations help them tackle Australia’s complex environmental challenges, restoring landscapes at scale – in ways that work for communities, economies and nature.

  • Hop aboard a cruise up the East Alligator River with an Aboriginal guide who’ll provide a unique insight on the cultural significance of the landscape, the local mythology, and the plants and animals that live there.

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Country Needs People. Donations help them support Indigenous land and sea management in Australia. Intrepid will double your impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Darwin

Location: Darwin

Accommodation: Hotel

Welcome to the Top End! 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) with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, take some time to get acquainted with the capital of the Northern Territory. You may like to take a dip in the Darwin City Lagoon – a protected bay with a net that keeps out crocs and other unwelcome creatures. A visit to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is also a must for a taste of the state’s culture, history and art. After the meeting, enjoy a restful evening before an early start and exciting day tomorrow.

Day 2: Litchfield National Park / Darwin

Location: Litchfield National Park / Darwin

Accommodation: Darwin

Meals Included: lunch

Today, drive into the magnificent Litchfield National Park. Situated on a huge sandstone plateau, the park is home to stunning waterfalls, secret swimming spots and towering rocky pillars. Your first stop will be the Wangi Falls, where you’ll be able to take a short loop walk or go for a plunge in the picturesque natural pool. Then it’s off to the dramatic Tolmer Falls and Florence Falls. Hidden amongst monsoon forest, you'll have a picnic lunch next to a bubbling creek. The last stop for the afternoon is Litchfield’s famous Magnetic Termite Mounds, which are up to 100 years old and unique to the northern parts of Australia, before returning to Darwin for the evening.

Included Activities:
-Litchfield National Park - Wangi Falls
-Litchfield National Park - Tolmer Falls
-Litchfield National Park - Florence Falls
-Litchfield National Park - Termite Mounds

Day 3: Kakadu National Park

Location: Kakadu National Park

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: lunch, dinner

Rise bright and early, have breakfast and drive towards Kakadu National Park this morning. Covering an enormous 20,000 sq km, the park is a world of its own. Stop for at the Mamukala Wetlands (and see if you can spot the wetland birds, then drive on to Ubirr, one of Kakadu's rock art gems, where you’ll learn more about the local First Nations history and stories from your leader. Later in the afternoon hop aboard a cruise up the East Alligator River (despite the name, you won’t see any alligators – this is crocodile country) and take in the wonderful pristine wilderness of this World Heritage landscape. You’ll be joined by an Aboriginal guide who’ll provide a unique insight on the cultural significance of the landscape, the local mythology, and the plants and animals that live there. You'll also have the chance to disembark on the Arnhem Land side of the river. After, continue to your Kakadu accommodation for an included dinner with your group.

Included Activities:
-Kakadu National Park - Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River
-Kakadu National Park - Ubirr Rock Art Cultural Walk
-Kakadu National Park - Mamukala Wetlands

Day 4: Kakadu National Park / Darwin

Location: Kakadu National Park / Darwin

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

Your final morning at Kakadu National Park begins with a drive to a local cultural arts centre at Jim Jim Creek. Here, depending on availability, you may be able to take part in a cultural weaving class, learning the craft and listening to local stories about the significance of weaving in the local culture. After lunch, a drive will take you to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), famous for its World Heritage-listed rock art created by the Bininj people. There are various short walks available while you’re here, each offering a different perspective on the wildlife, art and natural features of the area. Then, a drive north will take you back to Darwin where your adventure will finish. If you’d like to extend your stay in Darwin, just speak to your booking agent.

Included Activities:
-Kakadu National Park - Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (3 nights)

  • Litchfield National Park - Wangi Falls

  • Litchfield National Park - Tolmer Falls

  • Litchfield National Park - Florence Falls

  • Litchfield National Park - Termite Mounds

  • Kakadu National Park - Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River

  • Kakadu National Park - Ubirr Rock Art Cultural Walk

  • Kakadu National Park - Mamukala Wetlands

  • Kakadu National Park - Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site

  • Kakadu National Park - Weaving or damper making workshop

  • Meals

    1 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinners

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

  • International Travel

Transport

  • Private vehicle

Accommodation

  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Important Information

  • START & END TIMES
  • The trip starts in Darwin with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm on Day 1 at our joining point hotel. The trip finishes on the last day on arrival in Darwin at our finish point hotel by 4pm. Accommodation is not included on this day but can be booked on request.
  • SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
  • A Single Supplement can be booked if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability.

Mode of Transport

  • Private vehicle

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    Temperatures in Australia's Top End can be extreme, so you will need to be well-prepared with clothing for the weather. Depending on the time of the year, daytime can be very hot (and the Australian sun is very strong year-round) so always use sun protection and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures can really drop, so bring sufficient warm clothing.

    On some days of the trip, you'll spend many hours driving through very remote areas of Australia. Sit back and enjoy landscapes that you would miss in any other form of travel. The days can be long, but we want to fit as much of this amazing place in as we can in 4 short days!

    As sunrise and sunset times as well as weather conditions vary throughout the year, we the order of activities may change to ensure you have the best experience possible. On occasion, the First Nations experiences may not be available should our guides have other cultural commitments, in which case we will include alternative activities.

    If you are looking for a camping-based trip in the Top End you might like our 4-day Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield Explorer trip. Search trip code PZRK on our website.

    Want to explore Australia's Northern Territory further? Consider adding on our Best of Uluru & Kings Canyon trip. See trip code PZKR on our website for details.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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