Days
5
Price from
1514AUD
3KA_ATA_2024

The 5 Day 4WD Kakadu Tour explores Kakadu National Park at its best.

This tour visits the special permit areas of Koolpin Gorge as well as seeing Jim Jim Falls, Maguk, Ubirr Rock and Gunlom Falls. Included is a wildlife cruise on Yellow Waters at sunset.


Start
Darwin, Australia
Finish
Darwin, Australia
Destinations
Kakadu & Top End
Theme
Code
5KA
Physical rating
Ages
Min 8
Group size
Min 5, Max 12

Why you’ll love this trip

  • Join an exclusive small group tour on a 4WD vehicle, and gain access to some of the best attractions in the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.
  • Due to exclusive permits we only have a group size of 12 passengers.  
  • Territory Expeditions has exclusive permits allowing you to experience some the wonders of the park, without the crowds. 
  • Overnight in the park for all four nights of the tour.

 

Is this trip right for you?

  • This tour is not for everyone – it’s best suited for adventurers that are fit, active and up for a challenge. You’ll spend all nights of the trip sleeping in our exclusive camps in either unpowered permanent camps or swag camping with tents. While conditions can be basic and facilities are minimal, this is all part of your adventure. You will need to pitch-in and help the guide out preparing meals and cleaning, to ensure that you can spend more time at all of the attractions.
  • This trip requires a high level of fitness, as it involves some longer walking. Please bring sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, minimal clothing, and some swim wear – there are some great waterholes to chill-out in.
  • 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, a hat and drink plenty of water. In the evenings temperatures are warm-to-mild. There may be some mosquitoes after rains, so bring some repellent and light full-length clothing.
  • This trip has a strict luggage limit of 10kg in the luggage compartment, and an additional smaller bag that can be put under the seat. Excess luggage cannot be carried on the tour, however it can be stored at most Darwin accommodation providers. 

 

Itinerary

Pick up from 8.00am at select locations in Darwin. After a short stop at Bark Hut, we continue along the Arnhem Highway to the World Heritage listed National Park of Kakadu. The park is about half the size of Switzerland, so there’s a lot to see over the next five days! We’ll stop near East Alligator River for the chance to spot more of those prehistorical predators (crocodiles, not alligators) and maybe some flying foxes too.  

Later in the afternoon we take a short walk up to Ubirr, viewing some of the amazing First Nations rock-art, then continue to the top of the escarpment to view the unlimited panoramic views across to Arnhem Land and the Nardob Floodplains. We then drive to our exclusive camp for the night at our Mardukul camp, which is located inside Kakadu National Park, and very close to the big attractions that will be featured over the coming days.   

Accommodation 
  • Unpowered Permanent-tented Camp (with shared facilities) (1 night) 
Included Activities 
  • Cahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River 
  • Ubirr Rock 
Meals Included 
  • Lunch 
  • Dinner 
Special Information 

Total walking time: about 1.5 hours (including stops for informative talks). Total driving time: about 4 hours (approximately 380 km).

It’s a slow but epic drive along the dirt track to Jim Jim Falls, one of the most revered and photographed features in the park. It’s one of the key reasons we operate short wheel-based 4WD’s in this part of the world – to get access to remote locations such as the end of Jim Jim Falls Road. From here, you’ll leave the truck and need some nimble footwork to clammer over boulders on your way to a stunning waterhole, which is surrounded by sheer cliffs. The water cascades in slow motion from 200 metres above, providing spectacular views of Jim Jim Falls. It’s the best place imaginable to either have a swim, marvel at the views, or get some sun by basking on the falls’ very own beach.  

We visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre to learn about the living culture of the Binnij and Muyguyy Peoples, followed by the Yellow Waters Sunset Cruise. On the cruise see a variety of wildlife including birdlife and crocodiles before the suns drops down behind the iconic floodplains. He’ll then head back to our exclusive camp in Northern Kakadu for our evening dinner. 

Accommodation  

Unpowered Permanent-tented Camp (with shared facilities) (1 night) 

Included Activities 
  • Jim Jim Falls 
  • Warradjan Cultural Centre 
  • Yellow Waters Sunset Cruise 
Meals Included 
  • Breakfast 
  • Lunch 
  • Dinner  
Special Information 

Total walking time: about 4 hours (including stops for informative talks). Total driving time: 4 hours  (approximately 350km)

A big day ahead of us with our first stop at Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). After a 40-minute walk along a creek bed, you’ll be rewarded with a swim in a stunning plunge pool surrounded by steep rocky cliffs. We then let our 4WD truck do all the work as we drive to the Southern end of the park to Gunlom Falls – a large emerald-coloured waterhole, hidden by the surrounding eucalypt and melaleuca trees.  

We then make our way to our private camp in Jawoyn Country located in the Southern End of Kakadu.  

Accommodation  

Swag camping with tents (with shared facilities) (1 night) 

Included Activities 
  • Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) 
  • Gunlom Falls 
Meals Included 
  • Breakfast 
  • Lunch 
  • Dinner 
Special Information 

Total walking time: about 4 hours (including stops for informative talks). Total driving time: 4 hours  (approximately 350km)

The full day will be spent exploring the Southern region of Kakadu at a place called ‘Jarrangbarnmi’ or Koolpin Gorge. With a variety are plants and wildlife species, Jarrangbarnmi requires very special permits, and therefore can only be accessed and explored on a regular basis by Territory Expeditions.  

Take your lunch and join the guide for a 2km trek up the gorge to explore rugged cliffs, picturesque waterfalls, and the series of swimmable plunge pools along the way. Keep an eye out for the elusive ‘Gouldian Finch’ and the ‘Barrk’, a species of wallaby, which are also found in the region. For many passengers that have been fortunate to join this tour, the day spent at Jarrangbarnmi is the least well-known, but by far the most favourite day on the feedback forms.  

Special Note

Territory Expeditions have maintained a great relationship with the Traditional Owners of Kakadu National Park. The team remains incredibly grateful that passengers can continue to explore and enjoy such a beautiful place. 

Accommodation  

Swag camping with tents (with shared facilities) (1 night) 

Included Activities 

Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) 

Meals Included 
  • Breakfast 
  • Lunch 
  • Dinner 

Today is the opportunity to visit some other hidden features of the Southern End of Kakadu National Park. One of the features will undoubtably be Ikoymarrwa (Moline Rockhole). This secluded waterhole also requires a special permit which Territory Expeditions has for its passengers to enjoy. Ikoymarrwa is a spring-fed waterhole which means that the water will remain clear and fresh for a swim through-out the Dry Season. He set our sights for Darwin, stopping at the historic town of Pine Creek along the way. Estimated time of arrival is 5pm. 

Included Activities 

Various walks and swims as listed 

Meals Included 
  • Breakfast  
  • Lunch 
Special Information 

Total walking time: about 1.5 hours (including stops for informative talks). Total driving time: about 4 hours (approximately 350km)
 

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Important notes

  • Tour commences in Darwin on Day 1 from 6.30 am and finishes in Darwin Day 3 at approx 5pm. Onward travel from Darwin must be booked for the following day.
  • Strict luggage limit of 10 kg applies in Kakadu. Excess luggage can be stored at Darwin accommodation.
  • This trip requires a sleeping bag. BYO or arrange to hire one ($20 pay on board)

Essential trip information

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