7-DAY KAKADU & ARNHEM LAND ITINERARY - Only $2,699
You'll have the opportunity to cool off in Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
DAY 1 - Kakadu and Arnhem Land
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 enter into 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 will go on a short walk to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) and enjoy a swim under the waterfall. Our final stop for the day will be our campsite.
Highlights: Corroboree Billabong and Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
Opportunity to swim? Yes
Meals provided: L, D
Take a swim in the large pool beneath Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park
DAY 2 - Kakadu and Arnhem Land
This morning we 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 take a moment to watch the wildlife as it plays around the water.
Our next stop will be the Warradjan Aboriginal Culture Centre. At the centre 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.
Later in the day we'll lock the hubs into 4-wheel drive and take the dirt track into Jim Jim Falls, where we can cool off under Kakadu’s highest waterfall before making our way to camp for the night.
Highlights: Yellow Waters Billabong, Warradjan Culture Centre and Jim Jim Falls
Opportunity to swim? Yes
Meals provided: B, L, D
A woman weaving a pandanus basket at Injalak Arts & Craft Centre
DAY 3 - Kakadu and Arnhem Land
Today we journey across Cahill’s Crossing on the crocodile infested East Alligator River into Western Arnhem Land. The region is home to world famous landscapes consisting of sandstone escarpment outcrops, ancient rock art sites, forests, floodplains and billabongs with birdlife. Meet Aboriginal artists at Injalak Arts & Crafts Centre in Oenpelli where you’ll experience men painting and pandanus women weaving baskets. There will be an opportunity to purchase art directly from the art centre source.
Once back in Kakadu you’ll connect with a Guluyambi Cultural Cruise. An Aboriginal guide provides guests with 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. Disembark on the Arnhem Land side of the river for a display of traditional hunting and gathering implements.
From the cruise, we’ll head up to the nearby Ubirr rock art complex and take in its galleries as well as enjoy the breathtaking sunset from the lookout over the Nardab floodplain. We finish the day with a hearty meal back at camp.
Highlights: Cahill's Crossing, Injalak Arts & Crafts Centre, Guluyambi Cultural Cruise and Ubirr Rock
Opportunity to swim? No
Meals provided: B, L, D
Neville from Guluyambi Cultural Cruise with a spear
DAY 4 - Kakadu and Arnhem Land
This morning we take a look at the old controversial Ranger Uranium mine which sits 8km east of the township known as Jabiru. The mine was active for over 30 years but operations came to an end in January 2021.
After learning about the local industry we will take a morning walk along the edge of the East Alligator River to look for the Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon and the Black Wallaroo, both of which are only found in the Arnhem Land escarpment.
We'll continue our journey north through Arnhem Land and into Garig Gunak Barlu Park where we’ll conquer the dirt road to reach the remote and picturesque Cobourg Peninsula. Along the way you'll have the chance to spot local wildlife including the world's only remaining wild herds of Banteng buffalo.
We will set up camp in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park where we will spend the next three nights.
Highlights: Ranger Uranium mine, East Alligator River walk, spotting wildlife and the Cobourg Peninsula
Opportunity to swim? No
Meals provided: B, L, D
The historic ruins of the Victoria Settlement at Port Essington
DAY 5 - Kakadu and Arnhem Land
We start our day with a morning cruise to the historic Victoria settlement at Port Essington. You'll be taken on a guided tour through the ruins once inhabited by white settlers; and you'll learn about the Makassar people who visited the area and traded with the local aboriginals.
After the tour on Port Essington we'll get back on the boat and spend time spotting the rich sea life in the protected pristine waters of the marine park. We'll be able to admire the colourful rocky cliffs, sandy white beaches and sparkling waters which attract fisherman from all over the world. We'll even have our own opportunity to make a catch for dinner! Later, we'll return to camp and watch an unforgettable Arnhem Land sunset.
Highlights: Victoria settlement and fishing the coastal waters of Garig Gunak Barlu Park
Opportunity to swim? No
Meals provided: B, L, D
Smith Point Beacon in Garig Gunak Barlu National Park
DAY 6 - Kakadu and Arnhem Land
Today we will take the truck and explore the sites of Garig Gunak Barlu Park by land. We'll make a stop at Smith Point Beacon, a stone structure which sits on the northern most point of mainland Northern Territory. We'll take a look inside the information centre and learn more about the early Macassan trepangers who visited the coastline as far back as the seventeenth century in search of Trepang (sea cucumbers).
From the information centre we'll take a trip to see the wetlands; the area was the first in Australia to be recognised as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
We'll also take a walk around Caiman Creek spotting animals and birdlife, and collect local shellfish and mussels before returning to camp.
Highlights: Smith Point Beacon, Ramsar wetlands and Caiman Creek
Opportunity to swim? No
Meals provided: B, L, D
DAY 7 - Kakadu and Arnhem Land
Today we take the road south, back through western Arnhem Land and into Kakadu National Park. We'll take a look around the Bowali Visitor Centre in Jabiru which doubles-up as the headquarters of Kakadu National Park. This is a chance to learn more about the park and the work they do, as well as view their exhibits.
In the afternoon we'll make a stop at the Mamukala Wetlands & Bird Hide. This is a fantastic place to see some of the 280 species of birds found in the national park. We'll then continue our journey back to Darwin but not before a stop at Fogg Dam; a remnant from the early rice project days and a great place to see loads of wildlife.
We'll roll into Darwin in the afternoon and drop you off at your accommodation.
Highlights: Bowali Visitor Centre, Mamukala Wetlands & Bird Hide and Fogg Dam
Opportunity to swim? No
Meals provided: B, L
Ancient rock art in the Arnhem Land escarpment
INCLUSIONS
Corroboree Billabong Wetland cruise
Entry pass to Kakadu National Park
Arnhem Land permit
Injalak Arts & Crafts Centre
Guluyambi Cultural Cruise
Cruise to Port Essington (Victoria Settlement)
All camping fees, national park fees, meals (as shown above (B) breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner)
transport, experienced guide/truck driver, camping equipment (swag & tent)