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Days
5
Price from
1706AUD
PNTK5_ATA_2018

Journey to Australia’s Northern Territory and uncover the rich history and incredible landscapes of the Top End

The northernmost section of the remote Northern Territory, Australia’s Top End packs an unbelievable punch. This is where the tropics meet the Outback, sandstone escarpments are decorated with ancient First Nations rock art, and the national parks are bursting with plunging waterfalls, monsoon forests and breathtaking waterholes. This five-day adventure spends ample time at Kakadu National Park, Nitmiluk National Park and Litchfield National Park and includes exclusive access to Arnhem Land. Spend time with the Traditional Owners of Wulna Country, take a croc-filled cruise along the East Alligator River, check out the spectacular Jim Jim Falls and swim in the breathtaking locations on this unforgettable adventure through Australia’s far north.

Start
Darwin, Australia
Finish
Darwin, Australia
Destinations
Arnhem Land,Kakadu & Top End,Northern Territory
Style
Powered Camps
Theme
Explorer
Code
NTK5
Physical rating
Level 4: Some long and challenging walks in remote regions with limited communication & emergency services access.
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 8, Max 15

Why you’ll love this trip

  • See rocky red cliffs, monsoon forests, plunging waterfalls and some of the Top End’s best landscapes with visits to three national parks: Kakadu National Park, Nitmiluk National Park and Litchfield National Park. 
  • Travel across Cahill’s Crossing into West Arnhem Land to learn about First Nations Peoples way of life. 
  • Enjoy the flexibility of a private vehicle, the local knowledge of a passionate guide and the magic of camping under the great southern sky. 
  • Rumble through the Top End’s best-known World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park on an adventure stopping to check out the spectacular Jim Jim Falls. 
  • Hike through the rich greenery of Litchfield National Park, cooling off with swims in Florence Falls, Wangi Falls and Buley Rockhole. 

Is this trip right for you?

  • You’ll spend some nights of the trip sleeping in outback camping grounds. While conditions can be basic and facilities are minimal, this is all part of the adventure.  
  • You’ll need to pitch-in with preparing meals and cleaning. 
  • 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. 
  • 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 in the Top End remain mild. 
  • This trip has a strict luggage limit of 10kg. Excess luggage cannot be carried however, it can be stored at Darwin accommodation. 

australia_northern-territory_girls_swimming_edith-falls
australia_northern-territory_group_splashing_florence-falls
australia_northern-territory_swimming_gunlom-falls
australia_northern-territory_aboriginal_rock-art
australia_northern-territory_group_walking_jim-jim-falls

Itinerary
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Welcome to Darwin, the Northern Territory’s tropical capital. There’s no time to waste, so get cracking at 6.30 am and hit the road. We travel East along the Arnhem Highway to the Corroboree Billabong on the Mary River, for a cruise to learn about the Top End’s wetlands, and a very good chance of sighting a variety of birdlife and the saltwater crocodiles. After lunch we continue to the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land, Cahill’s Crossing, where the 4WD is utilised to traverse the croc-infested East Alligator River. Welcome to Arnhem Land. Learn about the cultural importance of the West Arnhem Land region as your Bininj guide takes you to restricted areas that First Nation ancestors have been visiting for thousands of years. Spend the afternoon learning about the region and its people’s history from your guide, before heading back to Kakadu for an overnight stay. 

Accommodation
  • Powered camps (with shared facilities) (1 night) 
Included Activities
  • Corroboree Billabong Cruise
  • Arnhem Land rock art and ceremonial sites 
Meals Included
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

Total walking time: about 1.5 hours (including stops for informative talks).
Total driving time: about 6 hours (approximately 350 km)

After fueling up with an early breakfast, head to Jim Jim Falls, Kakadu’s most iconic natural attraction. Take a challenging walk through monsoon forest and over boulders, then recharge with a cooling dip in the clear waters beneath the falls. After lunch head to Anbangbang, another incredible site that features ancient art on what was originally Warramal Land. Sadly, there are no surviving Warramal People, so the care of the site is maintained by the neighbouring Mirarr and Djok communities. This afternoon, you have the option of taking a scenic flight over Kakadu or visiting the Bowali Cultural Centre. 
Accommodation
  • Powered camps (with shared facilities) (1 night) 
Included Activities
  • Jim Jim Falls Walk
Optional Activities
  • Kakadu scenic flight – from $150 (AUD) 
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

Total walking time: about 2.5 hours
Total driving time: about 4 hours (approximately 120 km)

After breakfast, head to either Gunlom Falls or Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) for a swim in another pristine waterhole. Maguk flows down the steep walls of rugged gorges into a beautiful natural plunge pool, while the steep climb to the Gunlom Falls plunge pool is rewarded with sweeping views of Kakadu along with the larger pool which is found under the welcome shade of gum trees. Neither option will disappoint you. After a relaxing morning, it’s time to hit the road. Stop in the old gold-mining town of Pine Creek for lunch before continuing for another three hours to your private campsite on the doorstep of Nitmiluk National Park. Once comfortable, have dinner with the group before settling in under the stars for the night. 
Accommodation
  • Powered camps (with shared facilities) (1 night) 
Included Activities
  • Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) 
  • Gulom Falls 
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

Total driving time: about 5.5 hours (approximately 340 km) 
Total walking time: about 1.5 hours 

Spend the day exploring the deep Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and greater Nitmiluk National Park, a wonderland of colours, ancient rock art, waterfalls and wildlife. While here, you can explore the region on foot, or choose to take a cruise (optional) to get a different perspective of the Gorge. Keep in mind that these optional activities are seasonal and at your own expense. In the afternoon, travel to Edith Falls, a hidden oasis of clear, cool waters surrounded by bronze boulders. After a quick swim in the huge rock pools, continue to tonight’s camp located at the edge of Litchfield National Park, where dinner awaits. 
Accommodation
  • Powered camps (with shared facilities) (1 night) 
Included Activities
  • Edith Falls
Optional Activities
  • Katherine Gorge Scenic Cruise – from AUD 129
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

Total driving time: about 4.5 hours (approximately 350 km)
Total walking time: about 3.5 hours

After breakfast, head to Litchfield National Park. A bit of a local secret, Litchfield is awash with tropical rainforest, gorgeous waterfalls and crystal-clear waterholes. Visit Florence Falls, Wangi Falls or Bluey Rockhole, then tuck into a picnic lunch. Enjoy a stroll through the steamy rainforests and a refreshing dip in one of the park’s gorgeous swimming holes. In the afternoon, make the two-hour drive back to Darwin. 
Included Activities
  • Buley Rockholes
  • Florence Falls
  • Litchfield National Park
  • Wangi Falls
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information

Litchfield National Park occasionally closes attractions if they are considered unsafe to access. If Florence Falls, Wangi Falls or Bluey Rockhole are closed, activities will be substituted with other attractions.  

Total walking time: about 1 hour.
Total driving time: about 3.5 hours (approximately 250 km)

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Important notes

  1. Please refer to the COVID-19 Hub for the latest information on ATA’s COVID-related policies. Read details here
  2. Tour commences in Darwin on Day 1 at 6.30 am and finishes in Darwin (Day 5) at approximately 6 pm. Onward travel from Darwin must be booked for the following day.
  3. Strict luggage limit of 10 kg applies in Kakadu. Excess luggage can be stored at Darwin accommodation.
  4. This trip requires a sleeping bag

Essential trip information

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