3 Day Guided Tour of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks

On this guided tour, you will travel through the cultural, historical and geographical landmark locations of Kakadu and Litchfield.

3 Day Guided Tour of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks

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
  • South Alligator River
  • Mamukala Wetlands
  • Ubirr Rock Art Site
  • Guluyambi Cultural Cruise
  • Overnight: Cooinda Lodge
Meals included: Lunch & Snacks
Day Two
  • Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
  • Ikoymarrwa (Moline Rockhole)
  • Pine Creek
  • Adelaide River
Overnight: Mount Bundy Station
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Snacks
Day Three
  • Litchfield National Park
  • Magnetic & Cathedral Termite Mounds
  • Florence Falls
  • Buley Rockhole
  • Wangi Falls
  • Berry Springs
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Snacks

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
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, 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 swim 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 into 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.
To continue South towards Ikoymarrwa (Moline Rockhole), we must take an hours-long drive. Moline is a beautiful little swimming spot hidden in the Southern Hills of Kakadu. Access is restricted here and we are one of a few operators who have the privilege to take guests to Ikoymarrwa. Here you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty and swim in the waterfall-fed plunge pool below. This magnificent spot is yet another chance to experience for yourself, the beauty and tranquillity of the Outback Top End of Australia.
Refreshed after visiting these beautiful swimming spots, we leave Kakadu behind and make our way towards the Stuart Highway and Pine Creek. The historical Gold Mining Town on the Old Railway Line makes for an interesting comfort stop.
Our next destination is Adelaide River, a settlement located on the banks of the river with a rich wartime history. The beautifully maintained war cemetery and pub with its shady lawns make Adelaide River a popular stopover. A short drive from here as we make our way to Mount Bundy Station, a small working cattle property offering unique station-style accommodation. (camping and accommodated rooms available)
Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, morning & afternoon snacks Overnight: Mount Bundy Station (camping and accommodated) Camping only - evening meal included Hotel only - Evening meal at the Adelaide River Inn (at your own expense)  
3
Day Three
Leaving Mount Bundy Station behind, we make our way towards Batchelor. The township of Batchelor sits just to the east of the park and is commonly known as the Gateway to Litchfield. Originally a mining town, Batchelor played a significant role in the pioneering history of the Top End and during the Second World War. From Batchelor, we continue to travel on and enter Litchfield National Park. Today is spent in Litchfield National Park, which is a lush, Savannah Woodland and Monsoon Forest nature reserve. In Litchfield, we are spoiled for choice, from the many waterfalls, swimming holes and adjacent walking trails available for us to enjoy.
First, we will stop by the impressive Cathedral and Magnetic Termite Mounds. Here we can get up close with the mound structures and hear about the significant role termites play within the unique tropical ecosystem of the Top End.
Heading further into the Park, we travel up onto the Table Top Range and visit Florence Falls. Here you will have the option to swim in the fresh, cool, plunge pool and walk along Shady Creek walk through the monsoon forest. The scenic viewing platform high above Florence Falls provides great photo opportunities of the panoramic views of the falls and the waterhole and plunge pool below. From the viewing platform, we can walk down the steps into the flowing waters below. The twin waterfalls are quite a site to see. They flow steadily all year round and feed into a deep rock pool, which is great for those who love a good swim, whilst also providing shallow rock pools for those who prefer to dip in their feet.
After a fresh picnic lunch, prepared and served on location, we make the short drive to Wangi Falls. Here you will see the water from the twin falls, cascade over the rock escarpment into the large pool below. There are various walking tracks, including a Monsoon Forest loop walk that takes you up and over the falls and a less strenuous walk through the monsoon forest to a treetop viewing platform. After taking in the views and cooling off in the crystal clear plunge pool (seasonal restrictions apply), we start to make our way back towards the Tropical City of Darwin via Berry Springs, returning early in the evening.
Meals included: breakfast, morning and afternoon snacks, and freshly prepared picnic buffet-style lunch.  

Guidelines for your travel with us here in Australia’s Top End:

Offroad Dreaming will host your visit through the Northern Territory.  Offroad Dreaming Guides will use their knowledge, training and experience, along with our exceptional customer service standards, to share some of the quality experiences and activities the Top End offers.  Our Guides are fully licensed and accredited, and first-aid qualified. They hold knowledge certification and Ochre cards where required.  All our Guides are hand selected, with appropriate experience and references.  We will work with you to find the right Guide for your group.

You will not need to bring any food with you.

We provide fresh snacks and meals based on whole food ingredients, which can be amended to cater for special dietaries when required. Chilled, filtered drinking water is provided. Please bring a refillable water bottle.

Itinerary Changes

Throughout the day, if you would like to amend the itinerary or spend more or less time at each location, please consult with your Guide, who can restructure the day as you go.

Footwear

Please be aware of the walking distance of each trek and take a full water bottle with you each time. You will walk on bush tracks with loose dirt, sticks and stones. Suitable supportive footwear is recommended.

Travel Distances

Distances between locations in the Northern Territory can be vast. Itineraries are designed to minimise driving times as much as possible. Your drive will be broken up with regular comfort stops, and you are welcome to discuss additional stops with the Guide at any time. Some of our larger vehicles also have onboard toilet facilities.

The Vehicle

Offroad Dreaming has a variety of their own 2 Wheel Drive and 4 Wheel drive vehicles available for your transport. We will allocate you the most suitable vehicle depending on your group size and itinerary. We also work with other local vehicle providers when additional or extra sizes of vehicles are required. All vehicles are fully accredited, licensed, and insured to carry passengers and fitted with specific tour vehicle plates and are maintained to a high standard. Our vehicles are not wheelchair accessible.  Small walking aids can be stored in the back of the vehicle or trailer, depending on group size or vehicle.

Wildlife

Wildlife, such as wallabies, birds, snakes, frogs and lizards, can be spotted and observed throughout the region, which is made up of Savannah Woodlands, Monsoon Forest and sandstone formations.  We do not approach wildlife but will have the opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat.  Most of our wildlife is not naturally aggressive and generally does not approach humans unless provoked. Many species of snakes inhabit the Top End of Australia. Not all are venomous. Your Guide is fully trained to manage any health and safety requirements. Spider bites can cause mild sickness. Their bites are not fatal. Estuarine crocodiles do inhabit our waterways. Regular water surveys are carried out in designated swimming spots. Please observe swim safety signs at all times. Your Guide will also be available with safety updates.

Subject to change

Your itinerary may be subject to change due to cultural, seasonal and/ or environmental conditions. We aim to replace unavailable activities and locations with suitable alternatives.

Seasonality

Our Dry Season runs from May to October, and the weather is typically dry with light winds. Daytime temperatures average in the mid-30s, with low humidity and mild nights ranging from 15-25°C. November to April is the Wet Season in the Top End, tropical storms bring long-awaited rain, and the bush comes alive. Days can be sunny and dry and not adversely affected; however, it is monsoon season, and the rains can cause localised flooding, resulting in temporary road closures.  We are given advance notice of upcoming weather events and will make appropriate amendments to your itinerary.  In extreme cases, we may have to cancel.  Temperatures can range from 20-30°C overnight and up to the high 30s and 40s during the day.  Humidity levels often reach 80% or more, causing the temperature to feel hotter than it is.