3 Day Guided Tour of Kakadu and Katherine
Private tours are subject to a quote
This Top End Experience will immerse you in Australia’s spectacular North. On this guided tour, you will travel through the cultural, historical and geographical landmark locations. We will delve into the stories and the natural wonders of the region. Activities include bushwalking, scenic lookouts, exploring ancient rock art sites, cultural and wildlife cruises, swimming and hearing about the cultural stories and traditions. You will see for miles over Wetlands, Savannah Woodlands, Stone Country and Escarpment. You will witness the uniqueness of our tropical ecosystems and hear how we have worked with the land and elements in the Northern Territory for centuries. Offroad Dreaming share their knowledge of combined decades of experience in the area and we have the opportunity to join specialist activities where specific cultural, geographical and historical information is a valuable addition to your itinerary.
Highlights
Day One
Overnight: Kakadu, Jabiru, Anbinik Resort , camping Mardugal
Day Two
Overnight Katherine, Contour Hotel, camping Edith Falls
Day Three
Private multi-day tour details
- National Park entry fees
- Permits
- Chilled drinking water and snacks
- Picnic lunch
- Pick up from your Darwin accommodation at the start of the tour
- Return to your accommodation at the end of the tour
- Transport in a private, fully licensed, and permitted tour vehicle
- Private and public activities as per itinerary
- Guided tour of each location on your itinerary
- Breakfast except for Day One
- Dinners around the fire, except last day
- Tent
- Camping chair
- Bath towel
- Hand torch
- Purpose built off-road camping trailer
- Swag (Australian sleeping canvas covering with mattress included)
- Sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Pillow case
- Sleep sheet
- Cooking equipment
- Serveware for meals
- More spacious tents
- Stretcher to raise the swag mattress off the ground
- Dual layer swag mattress
- Eco sleeping bag
- Eco luxury bed linens
- Eco pillow
- Eco cooking equipment
- Ergonomic camping chair
- Functional and decorative lighting
- Room and breakfast is included
- Restaurant evening meal is at your own expense
- Swimwear
- Swim towel
- Walking shoes
- Refillable water bottle
- Sun hat and Sunscreen 30+
- Insect repellent
- Day pack for walks
- A light warm jumper for cool nights
- Lightweight waterproof clothing during the Shoulder Wet Season months (typically March, April, September and October)
- Luggage approximately 15kg, preferably soft bag
- Transport in well-maintained air-conditioned vehicle, with tinted windows for comfort and UV protection
- Alcoholic beverages
- Breakfast Day One
- Dinner last day
- Restaurant evening meals (unless otherwise stated)Incidentals eg fresh coffee at comfort stops
- Flights to and from Darwin
- Pre and post-tour overnight accommodation
- Travel insurance
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Destination
Our gallery
1
Day One
After an early morning start, we leave Darwin behind and cross the Adelaide River Floodplain, travelling East towards the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. Our first comfort stop is at Corroboree Park Tavern, where we will see the true spirit of the Top End Outback culture. We continue our journey into Kakadu along the Arnhem Highway and stop by the South Alligator River and spot wildlife that makes this mighty waterway their home.
After crossing the river, we arrive at the Mamukala Wetlands. An easy walk through the bush takes us to a bird hide situated right on the edge of the wetlands. Here there is a view and the potential of spotting some of the many bird species recorded in Kakadu. You can stop here under shelter and sit on the fixed benches, as you look through to spot birdlife abundant in this wetlands habitat. You can read about the many seasons the region transforms through.
A distance further, Gunbalanya Road, leads up into the North Eastern region of the park and takes us to Ubirr Rock. At the picnic benches and tables, your Guide will prepare and serve a freshly made, wholesome buffet-style lunch. After lunch, your guide leads you on a walk through the ancient, multi-level rock formations and through the rock art shelters, sharing their creation stories as you go. These shelters host some of the most outstanding rock art in the world and have significant importance to the Buninj clan. Climbing all the way to the top of the levels will give you a spectacular 360’ view over the Wetlands and Floodplains.
After letting the vastness of this Region sink in, we return to ground level and to the vehicle for a short drive to the East Alligator River. The East Alligator River is a natural border between Kakadu and Western Arnhem Land and here we meet our Bininj Guide, for the culturally guided Guluyambi cruise. Your Guide will share with you, first-hand knowledge of living along the river, and how the Bininj has worked with life along the river for thousands of years.
On return from your cruise, we travel to your campsite or hotel, where we will have time to check in or set up camp and enjoy an evening meal and a good night's sleep.
Camping Only - Mardugal Campground. Meals included Lunch, campsite dinner, morning and afternoon snacks
Hotel Only - Cooinda. Lunch, morning and afternoon snacks
2
Day Two
After breakfast this morning, we pack up camp/ check out and travel South along the Kakadu Highway to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). From the Highway an unsealed road leads us through a tall stand of eucalyptus, opening up to an impressive display of large Cathedral Termite Mounds, before arriving at the parking area for Maguk. From here we prepare for a walk and swim. The walk is approximately two kilometres return, along the creek, through a monsoonal and paperbark forest and over the rocky banks of the creek. We will spend our time swimming in the pristine spring-fed waters of Maguk, a large elongated plunge pool, sitting between the tall gorge walls and beneath a waterfall.
After immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Maguk, we will make the walk back to the parking area, where your Guide will prepare and serve a fresh, wholesome picnic, buffet-style lunch.
After lunch, we make our way out of Kakadu towards Pine Creek, a historical old Gold Mining town, where we will stretch our legs and take a quick comfort stop before continuing South, as we follow the Stuart Highway into the Northern Western region of Nitmiluk National Park.
We will spend the rest of the afternoon at Leliyn (Edith Falls). Edith Falls is known as Leliyn in the local Aboriginal Jawoyn language and is situated in the northwestern region of Nitmiluk National Park. Edith Falls is a series of cascading waterfalls and rock pools. The lower pool is vast and magnificent to see. We will take the 30-minute walking trail that leads to the upper rock pools, where we will spend our time swimming and exploring these connecting rock pools, fed from the main waterfall itself.
Camping only: We will stay in the Katherine Region for our overnight stay. We locate ourselves in the Edith Falls campground where we set up camp and enjoy another campsite-cooked dinner.
Hotel only: We will drive to the Contour Resort Hotel to check into our rooms. Hotel guests will sample their accomplished menu in the hotel restaurant and experience their genuine customer service. (Restaurant dinner is at your own expense)
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch, morning and afternoon snacks
Camping only - Evening meal is included.
Overnight: Katherine, Contour Resort, or Edith Falls Campground
3
Day Three
After breakfast this morning, we travel East from Katherine and re-enter the Nitmiluk National Park. This morning we join the Nit Nit Dreaming cruise through the Nitmiluk Gorge, in the Southern Region of the Park. Here the mighty Katherine River runs off the Arnhem Land plateau and out into the low country, carving and sculpting the Nitmiluk Gorge. The magnificent cliff facing is the backdrop for your cruise this morning.
On return from your cruise, we will travel back through Katherine to the Hot Springs. The Katherine Region hosts a number of these naturally forming thermal pools. These thermal springs are situated on the banks of the Katherine River and consist of a series of clear pools framed by native vegetation. A swim here is not only relaxing but also rejuvenating. This is a spot for travellers and Top End locals alike, to immerse in the wonders of nature and enjoy the Tropical lifestyle. While you are relaxing in the springs, your Guide will be preparing your buffet lunch, for you to enjoy by the side of the pools.
After lunch, we begin the journey back North, along the Stuart Highway, towards the Tropical city of Darwin.
We will stop in the historical WWII township of Adelaide River. This town is situated on the Northern Banks of the river, alongside the railway line and just off the Stuart Highway. It was on the frontline for the defence force of Northern Australia in the 1940s and today hosts and maintains a Commonwealth cemetery and a number of significant historical and military sites. Your Guide will walk you through this important location and share with you how the history of WWII has stayed strong with us in the Top End and how we commemorate these historical events today.
An hour and a half drive from Adelaide River and we will arrive back in Darwin City. We will have an early evening return to your accommodation, where you can enjoy some of the City’s many restaurants combining worldwide cuisines with our local produce.
We will stop in the historical WWII township of Adelaide River. This town is situated on the Northern Banks of the river, alongside the railway line and just off the Stuart Highway. It was on the frontline for the defence force of Northern Australia in the 1940s and today hosts and maintains a Commonwealth cemetery and a number of significant historical and military sites. Your Guide will walk you through this important location and share with you how the history of WWII has stayed strong with us in the Top End and how we commemorate these historical events today.
An hour and a half drive from Adelaide River and we will arrive back in Darwin City. We will have an early evening return to your accommodation, where you can enjoy some of the City’s many restaurants combining worldwide cuisines with our local produce.
