Explore
Kakadu Tours
Experience a unique 4-day Kakadu tour from Darwin. Explore Katherine and Kakadu National Park with a fully guided tour. Discover the world’s oldest and best-preserved Aboriginal rock art. Observe prehistoric reptiles like crocodiles on a boat cruise. Immerse in local culture, stories, and traditions. Explore monsoon forests and breathtaking escarpment country. Appreciate the fantastic biodiversity of Kakadu’s landscapes. Stay in comfortable air-conditioned accommodations in Kakadu and Katherine.
Highlights
- You can visit Kakadu National Park, a designated World Heritage site.
- ExploreBowali&Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centres
- You can experience the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River, located on the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land.
- Watch for Crocsand Barramundiat Cahills Crossing
- Ubirr Rock offers stunning Aboriginal rock art and sunset views.
- Visitors can be guided through two exceptional Aboriginal rock art locations, Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) and Ubirr Rock (conditions/seasonality permitting).
- Visitors can explore the stunning waterholes in Kakadu and Edith Falls, which provide a peaceful environment with a waterfall and plunge pool for relaxation.
- Experience Jawoyn culture through a NitNit Katherine Gorge cruise and have the option to take a scenic helicopter ride over Katherine Gorge. Learn from locals and explore Art and culture at Katherine’s Top Didj Art Gallery.
This itinerary is subject to change due to seasonal conditions and access restrictions in certain areas. The waterfalls are rarely open before late June. Kakadu National Park’s diverse landscape and extreme weather conditions require flexibility and adaptability. Use these itinerary highlights as a rough guideline only.
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Darwin - Kakadu National Park
We leave Darwin and head to WakWak, a wetlands region an hour away. The scenery there is stunning. We might see birds and crocodiles. After that, we will continue to Kakadu National Park, where we will check into our accommodation and enjoy nature. We visited the Bowali Visitor Centre to learn about the park and then visited the East Alligator region for a cultural tour. We join the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River, where we hear creation stories and see birds and crocodiles. We also visited Ubirr Rock, which has fantastic Aboriginal Art. Finally, we went back to our accommodation for dinner.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
The Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel offers various accommodation options, including twin, double, and single rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Driving Distance: 420km
The hike is a 1km loop with a grade of 2-3.
Day 2: Kakadu National Park
Today, we will visit cultural centres and art sites that showcase the stories of clan groups in Kakadu and Arnhem Land. We will be guided through the Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) art site areas, which include places like Kunwarddewardd Lookout, Anbangbang Billabong, Nawurlandja, and potentially the Naguluwurr art site. These locations offer stunning views of the landscape and diverse ecosystems. Take time to appreciate the creation stories and artworks in the galleries, learn about local traditions, and observe the plants and wildlife. After a beautiful sunset, we will return to our accommodation for dinner and rest.
Meals included are breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel accommodation options include twin, double, and single rooms with ensuite bathrooms. The driving distance is 150km, and the hike distance is 1km with a grade 2 difficulty level.
Day 3: Kakadu to Katherine
We prepare for our journey southwest towards Katherine and Nitmiluk. The road showcases the beautiful colours of the Australian bush. Watch for wildlife like Black Cockatoos, Wallabies, horses, and buffalo. We make a pit stop at Pine Creek, a historic town where we can stretch our legs and enjoy local refreshments. We can also visit the Pine Creek Museum. After checking in at our accommodation in Katherine, we head out for a cruise in Nitmiluk National Park and Katherine Gorge. The cruise provides a glimpse into the area’s history and stories. The rock walls and wildlife make for a stunning experience. After the cruise, we returned and relaxed in our comfortable accommodations, preparing for our final day of exploration.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided. Accommodation options include twin, double, and single rooms with ensuite bathrooms at Knotts Crossing Resort or Contour Hotel. The driving distance is 310km, and there is no hiking involved.
Day 4: Katherine to Darwin
We explored the Katherine area this morning, visiting the Hot Springs and the Top Didj Gallery. We then continued our journey south to Edith Falls, where we enjoyed a picnic lunch and relaxed by the waterfall.
After your swim, you will return to Darwin and have time to visit the Mindil Markets or relax at your accommodation, reflecting on your adventures and the friends you made.
Meals provided include breakfast and lunch. The driving distance is 350km, and the hiking distance is 1km, with a grade Grade 1.
Details
Pricing Options
4 Day Kakadu Tours 4WD Adventure:
$1,950 per person *Twin Share Room
*Solo passengers who book this fare option will be paired in a room with another traveller, where possible, with the same gender, but this is not guaranteed.
Children between 12 and 17 must stay in a private room with a legal guardian or adult. Please note that Triple share or family rooms are unavailable, and due to the remote nature of the tour, ensuite facilities are not available at every property.
Not suitable for infants or children 11 years and under
Aditional Information
What's Included?
- 3 Nights Resort Accommodation (Kakadu Jabiru x2, Katherine x1)
- Includes: 3 x Breakfast, 4 x Lunch, 3 x Dinner
- Aboriginal culture and rock art viewing
- Cultural Boat Cruise on East Alligator River
- Kakadu Park permit pass fees
- Guided bush walking tours (~8.5km, grade 2-6)
- Accredited outback driver-guide
- Travel in air-conditioned off-road 4WD mini-coach
- Comprehensive commentary on the tour
- Pickup/ drop-off from selected inner-city Darwin points
Exclusions
- Any meals not previously indicated in the itinerary
- Travel insurance is highly recommended
- Pre/post-tour hotel transfers
- Additional personal expenses
- We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance
What do you need to bring?
- 3L Refillable water bottle
- Hat, Sunglasses, Sunscreen
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- All weather clothing
- Insect repellent
- Money for food & beverages
- Camera
- Towel & toiletries
- Flashlight or torch
- Swimwear or bathers
Important Notes
- Mandatory passenger details are required when booking: date of birth, gender, and phone number.
- We will try to cater to most dietary needs and food allergies. When booking, passengers MUST notify the tour operator of any special dietary requirements or medical conditions.
- A minimum moderate to advanced fitness level is required to complete the walks. The length of walks will be between 2km to 4km each day, often over steep rocky sections and in direct sunlight and high humidity. An approximate 8.5km walk is included in this tour. Embarking on walks will be at the guide’s discretion to ensure the safety of guests. Therefore, a medium/high fitness level and a doctor’s certificate are required for people over 70 (30 days before travel).
- An adult or legal guardian must always accompany children between 8 and 17 years old and stay in private twin rooms. Not suitable for infants or children seven years and under.
- All private rooms are subject to availability and on request.
- Limited storage space on our vehicle, baggage kept to 1 x 15kg travel bag, 1 x 5kg day bag. Not suitable for mobility-impaired travellers, wheelchairs, walkers or strollers.
- Itineraries may vary to adapt to seasonal changes, and occasionally, sites in the parks close or do not allow swimming. As safety is our top priority, we plan to ensure our guests have the most fun and best experience possible on tour.
- Guests are asked to participate in preparing meals, cleaning up, and unpacking/loading vehicles so everyone can relax after a long day of touring. It’s also a great way to get to know and connect with fellow travellers.
Weather
Tour Pickup Location
2023 (Shoulder Season)
These departures may operate off a slightly different itinerary due to seasonal waterfall closures, which usually don’t open until late June.
- Departure 1 – Mon 1st May 2023
- Departure 2 – Thurs 4th May 2023
- Departure 3 – Mon 8th May 2023
- Departure 4 – Thurs 11th May 2023
- Departure 5 – Mon 15th May 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 6 – Thurs 18th May 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 7 – Mon 22nd May 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 8 – Thurs 25th May 2023
- Departure 9 – Mon 29th May 2023
- Departure 10 – Thurs 1st Jun 2023
- Departure 11 – Mon 5th Jun 2023
- Departure 12 – Thurs 8th Jun 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 13 – Mon 12th Jun 2023
- Departure 14 – Thurs 15h Jun 2023
- Departure 15 – Mon 19th Jun 2023
- Departure 16 – Thurs 22nd Jun 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 17 – Mon 26th Jun 2023
- Departure 18 – Thurs 29th Jun 2023
2023 (Dry Season)
These departures operate on the standard itinerary.
- Departure 19 – Mon 3rd Jul 2023
- Departure 20 – Thurs 6th Jul 2023
- Departure 21 – Mon 10th Jul 2023
- Departure 22 – Thurs 13th Jul 2023
- Departure 23 – Mon 17th Jul 2023
- Departure 24 – Thurs 20th Jul 2023
- Departure 25 – Mon 24h Jul 2023
- Departure 26 – Thurs 27th Jul 2023
- Departure 27 – Mon 31st Jul 2023
- Departure 28 – Thurs 3rd Aug 2023
- Departure 29 – Mon 7th Aug 2023
- Departure 30 – Thurs 10th Aug 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 31 – Mon 14th Aug 2023
- Departure 32 – Thurs 17th Aug 2023
- Departure 33 – Mon 21st Aug 2023
- Departure 34 – Thurs 24th Aug 2023
- Departure 35 – Mon 28th Aug 2023
- Departure 36 – Thurs 31st Aug 2023
- Departure 37 – Mon 4th Sep 2023
- Departure 38 – Thurs 7th Sep 2023
- Departure 39 – Mon 11th Sep 2023
- Departure 40 – Thurs 14th Sep 2023
- Departure 41 – Mon 18th Sep 2023
- Departure 42 – Thurs 21st Sep 2023
- Departure 43 – Mon 25th Sep 2023
- Departure 44 – Thurs 28th Sep 2023
- Departure 45 – Mon 2nd Oct 2023
- Departure 46 – Thurs 5th Oct 2023
- Departure 47 – Mon 9th Oct 2023
- Departure 48 – Thurs 12th Oct 2023
- Departure 49 – Mon 16th Oct 2023
- Departure 50 – Thurs 19th Oct 2023
- Departure 51 – Mon 23rd Oct 2023
- Departure 52 – Thurs 26th Oct 2023
- Departure 53 – Mon 30th Oct 2023