5 Day Guided Tour of the Top End (Dry Season)
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:Mardukul/Cooinda
Day Two
Overnight: Mardukul/Cooinda
Day Three
Overnight: EdithFalls/Katherine Contour Resort
Day Four
Overnight: Mt Bundey Homestead, Adelaide River
Day Five
Early evening return to Darwin
Private multi-day tour details
- National Park entry fees
- Camping fees
- Permits
- Chilled drinking water, snacks and freshly prepared
- Picnic lunch daily
- Pick up from your Darwin accommodation at the start of the tour and return to your accommodation on the last day
- 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 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
- Recommended hotels are depending on availability
- 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
Your Offroad Dreaming Guide will meet you at your Darwin accommodation for a 07:30 departure. Leaving the city behind, we travel towards World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. Heading East, we make a comfort stop at Corroboree Park Tavern, a typical Territorian Tavern off the side of the Arnhem Highway.
Upon arrival in Kakadu, our first destination is the Mamukala Wetlands. Nestled into the paperbarks is an enclosed observation platform that allows us to quietly view the abundant birdlife that thrives amongst the vegetation. Alongside the spacious, seated viewing point is a wall mural that illustrates the many seasonal changes that occur throughout the year. Each season brings with it varying weather patterns and species of life with it.
We will take the bush track back from the observation shelter and from here we will make our way into the North Eastern Region of Kakadu, to the multi-level art galleries of Ubirr Rock. The walk at Ubirr takes us through a series of sandstone formations and rock art galleries, which have provided shelter to the traditional owners for thousands of years. As we continue through the levels, it leads us up to Nadab Lookout, offering spectacular 360-degree views over the Nadab Floodplains, Ubirr and Arnhem Land. The climb can be challenging for some, and for those in your group who prefer to stay on ground level, there is plenty of art to see there and your Guide can point out the best shady spots, to relax and await the return of your party.
Mid-afternoon we will take the short drive to the East Alligator River, a natural border between Kakadu and Western Arnhem Land. Here we meet a Bininj Guide who takes you on the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise, giving an insight into their culture and local mythology. You will hear how the river is an abundant food chain for traditional plants and wildlife. Your Guide will share the many uses their people have for the plants along the riverside and will spot animals and wildlife as you go. They will share bush survival skills, passed down through the generations. We will make a turn at the infamous Cahills crossing, where the crocodile lazes across the crossway and swim in the deep waters. Your Bininj Guide will invite you onto the banks of Arnhem Land, and show you a demonstration of their cultural skills before your boat will transfer you across the water back to the boat ramp.
On return from your cruise, we travel South and set up camp or check in to your accommodation for the night.
Overnight: Mardukal Campground or Cooinda Lodge
2
Day Two
On the morning of day two, we will enjoy a hearty breakfast before making our way to the Nanguluwur Gallery. Here a 3.4-kilometre return walk through open Savanna Woodlands, leads us to one of Kakadu’s more isolated rock art sites. You will be shown through the works, by your Offroad Dreaming Guide, who will share their creation stories and historical and cultural value. A further walk through the site takes us to the Nawurlandja Lookout, where we can enjoy spectacular views of this Tropical terrain.
Later this morning we will make the short drive to nearby Anbangbang Billabong which is situated at the base of Nourlangie Rock and crowded with water lilies. This small wetland is a haven for waterbirds during the dry season. This is an ideal birdwatching opportunity. Here your Guide will prepare a buffet lunch, next to the brimming billabong, as you spot wildlife and relax in this scenic location. We have enough time to relax over lunch and enjoy the stunning views of the Billabong, the Savanna Woodlands and the Arnhemland Escarpment.
In the afternoon, we will spend time in the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Here you will find displays, demonstrated in mixed media, which showcase the tools and instruments, craft techniques, bush tucker and art. alongside a shop where you can choose from Didgeridoo, books, cards and botanicals and more.
Later this afternoon your Guide will transfer you to the Yellow Water Billabong, where you will join a 2-hour sunset cruise. On this tranquil mesmerising experience, you can experience this magical time of day, where the changing colours from the sky, reflect off the water's surface, creating a cascade of shades as the night’s darkness draws in. You will see native Kakadu wildlife and birdlife whilst hearing about the rich and diverse history of Kakadu.
Camping only:
Your Guide will head back to the campsite and prepare a campsite dinner, from fresh, wholesome ingredients, before heading back, to collect you on your return.
Hotel only:
A short drive to your accommodation will give you time to freshen up and enjoy the delicious, gourmet-prepared meals, from the hotel restaurant. (Dinner is at your own expense)
Overnight: Mardukal Campground or Cooinda Lodge
3
Day Three
This morning we pack up and travel south to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). A two-kilometre return walk leads us through paperbark and monsoonal forest along the creek. The walk in will see you trekking through the scattered rock beds, across the creek and over small boulders. Good footwear and a hat is definitely a must, as you will stop and marvel along the way at the creekside floral gems and the ever-changing views and lookouts at each turn. After the challenging but not difficult walk, we arrive at the magnificent waterhole, where we will spend the next expanse of time, walking, lounging and swimming. The main entrance to the lower pool is a gentle gradient through the water and leads you in, to swim amongst the deep pristine waters, or dip in the shallower parts, as you enjoy the beautiful tropical weather and the lulling sounds of nature in this truly breathtaking location. Depending on time, and the conditions, there is an option to climb to the upper pool, where the view over the rock face, lower plunge pool and cliff facing is something to remember.
You will have plenty of time to enjoy the waters of Maguk, as your Guide prepares your buffet lunch, of fresh, wholesome ingredients, perfect for that after-swim energy boost, we will need to make our way back to the vehicle.
Our next location for the afternoon, is further South of Ikoymarrwa (Moline Rockhole), a flowing waterfall and rockpool. Ikoymarrwa is a restricted access area and we are privileged to be one of the few operators who have a special permit to take visitors. It is a short walk from the car park to the plunge pool and the waterfall is known as one of Kakadu’s hidden gems. While here we can walk across the naturally formed walkways and swim in the luscious, fresh water hole.
From here we travel to the historical gold mining town of Pine Creek before continuing south on the Stuart Highway to Nitmiluk National Park.
Overnight: Edith Falls Campground or Contour Hotel Katherine
4
Day Four
This morning we continue travelling South to the Katherine Region. To the east of the town is Nitmiluk Gorge, also a part of Nitmiluk National Park. First this morning, you will join the Nit Nit Dreaming Gorge Cruise. Here the Katherine River flows between the sheer backdrop of Nitmiluk Gorge, providing an atmospheric location where the magnificence of the location is ever-present. The Jawoyn people lead this cruise, as we travel through the waterway, across gorges and highlighting places of historical, geographical and cultural significance as we go. As you travel through this vast river system, that breeds tropical life, you will begin to appreciate how lucky we are that the peoples of the Top End care and nurture the landscapes of the Top End and share their knowledge, in turn protecting their heritage.
The Katherine Region hosts a number of our naturally forming thermal pools. We will spend time this afternoon, at Katherine Hot Springs. 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, immersing in the wonders of nature and enjoying the Tropical lifestyle.
Before departing Katherine, we enjoy a freshly prepared picnic lunch and then head north to 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.
Late afternoon we continue the journey North, where we will stop for the night at Mount Bundy Station, a working cattle station that hosts maintained original accommodation and camping options.
Overnight: (Camping or accommodated - Mount Bundy Station, Adelaide River
5
Day Five
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 spoilt 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.
