Day 1 - Tour Kakadu
Our 5 Day Kakadu tour begins by picking you up from selected accommodations at 6:30am. First up we get to view some fantastic bird life on the Marrakai Floodplain as we head down the Arnhem Highway on our way to Kakadu. We travel into Kakadu via the unsealed Old Darwin Road and take a break at White Lily Billabong for a chance to admire more congregations of fantastic birdlife amongst water lily covered floodplains. Next you can view various displays on Kakadu and learn about the Local Aboriginal people at the Warradjan Cultural Centre.
Our last port of call for the day before camp is at Barramundi Gorge where you can spend time exploring, rock climbing, relaxing or swimming in the waterfalls, the choice is yours. After a candlelit dinner in the heart of Kakadu, you can have a go playing the didgeridoo around the campfire. (Lunch, Dinner)
Walking: 4km's
Camp: Koolpin Gorge Campground (Minimal Facility Campground)
Day 2 - Tour Kakadu
Today we get "off the beaten track" exploring a very beautiful and delicate area called Koolpin Gorge. This remote location is located in the very southern end of Kakadu and there are only 3 companies in Australia who have Special Permits to enter this region. The southern end of the Park boasts some of the most stunning scenery in Kakadu.
Koolpin Gorge is an extremely sensitive area consisting of beautiful waterfalls, plunge pools and magnificent lookouts. We spend a full day hiking along Koolpin Creek where you can refresh yourself frequently in escarpment pools set amongst some of Kakadu's most spectacular scenery. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Walking: 12km's
Camp: Minimal Facility Campground
Day 3 - Kakadu Tour
If you are interested in getting "away from the crowds" then today you'll feel like you're in heaven. We travel for a couple of hours on a challenging 4WD track that leads us to one of Kakadu's most rugged and diverse environments. Unmarked on most maps, Graveside Gorge is a remote scenic area with beautiful waterfalls, plunge pools and great hikes.
Enjoy swimming in crystal clear water and exploring this unique gorge system with its dramatic landforms. Only 2 companies in Australia have Special Permits that allow access to this magnificent part of Kakadu National Park. Experience a full day of remoteness and isolation in a totally peaceful environment that remains untouched and never crowded. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Walking: 8 km's
Camp: Minimal Facility Campground
At various times during the year, Graveside Gorge will be closed to visitors and only open for use by the Traditional Owners of the area. During these short closures, the following destinations will be substituted:
Jim Jim Falls (top): A great hike known as the Barrk Marlam Walk will take you to the Top of Jim Jim Falls and reward you with a magnificent view down the gorge. Spend a while swimming, bushwalking and rock climbing then enjoy your lunch at the top of Jim Jim Falls away from the crowds! This walk will be done along with the walk to the Top of Twin Falls when Graveside Gorge is not open.
Nourlangie Rock: One of the most famous rock art and cultural sites in the world. The rock art concentrated in this area is magnificent, depicting mainly wildlife and Dreamtime stories and ranging in age from 40 years to as old as 20,000 years.
Anbangbang Billabong: Enjoy viewing many varieties of water birds on a floodplain, with Nourlangie Rock forming an impressive backdrop.
Nawurlandja Lookout: From the top of this stony outcrop, you obtain breathtaking views over central Kakadu and across to "Lightning Dreaming" on the Arnhem Land Escarpment.
Mamukala Wetlands: Offers the bird enthusiast (the winged kind) a paradise at various times of the year, the concentration of birds on this floodplain is an awesome sight.
Day 4 - Kakadu 4WD Tour
Today we head off-road and 4-wheel drive toward Twin Falls where you will get to enjoy an informative boat cruise with an Aboriginal Guide up Twin Falls Gorge. After a short walk down to the end of the gorge, you reach a beautiful white sandy beach at the base of Twin Falls which is simply spectacular. Enjoy relaxing on the beach for a while as you take in the scenery which can best be described as breath taking.
Keep a look out for local wildlife as we 4WD through creeks and sand on our way to the mighty Jim Jim Falls . A swim in the plunge pool at the base of Jim Jim Falls is sure to wake you up for the day as you cool down in the refreshing water. To reach the plunge pool, a 1km scenic walk through monsoon rainforest is taken and has excellent lookouts over Jim Jim Falls.
Take your time to admire the awesome sight of the sheer cliff faces that surround you from the base of the gorge. For the keen hikers, you'll get a return walk (7km) to the Top of Jim Jim or Twin Falls which both offer magnificent views down the gorge and allow swimming in rock pools at the top of the falls. These longer walks also really give you the chance to see Kakadu's diverse range of magnificent plant species.
One of our safari camp Special Permits in Kakadu allows us to choose a peaceful campsite only 30 minutes drive from Jim Jim Falls and ensures that the next morning you'll be waking to the sound of birds instead of the usual urban cacophony. In the evening you can spend some time stargazing under the southern skies. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Walking: 9 km's
Camp: Garnamar Campground (safari camp)
Day 5 - Kakadu Tour
What better way to start the morning than by sitting back and enjoying an Exclusive Aboriginal Cultural Experience operated by Kakadu Culture Camp. These are the Traditional Owners from Kakadu and are able to provide you with a rare insight into their lifestyle and culture. You can meet and chat with these Aboriginal Traditional Owners as part of a "hands-on" demonstration which gives you the opportunity to participate in fun activities such as spear throwing, didgeridoo lessons, weaving and listening to some great dreamtime stories. We are the only tour company able to offer you this exclusive, interactive cultural experience.
A cultural experience of a different kind awaits you next with some awesome paintings at Ubirr Rock. The concentration of Aboriginal art in Kakadu is magnificent and is recognised as one of the most famous rock art and cultural areas in the world. At Ubirr Rock you will see some fantastic Aboriginal Art sites and learn more about the Aboriginal lifestyle and culture. A short climb to the top of Ubirr Rock will reward you with a 360˚ view over floodplains and the Arnhem Land Escarpment - a spectacular sight.
We end our day's highlights with a Private Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise on Corroboree Billabong, a part of the Mary River system. You are bound to see an abundance of bird life and usually plenty of crocodiles on a 1.5 hour cruise that won't leave you disappointed. Watch the sunset as we head back to Darwin in the early evening at the end of your 5 Day Kakadu safari. Leave your tour with memories of spectacular scenery, magnificent waterfalls and having had lots of fun with a group of great people. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Walking: 3km's
- The above 5 day Kakadu itinerary should only be used as a guideline and tour guides may change it at their discretion to suit the specific interests of their group.
- The order of the itinerary may change when Graveside Gorge is closed.
- Kakadu tour itinerary may vary during June due to seasonal closures.
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