6D5N Darwin Top End Highlights Guided Tour

Darwin is Australia’s only tropical capital city and is the largest city in the Northern Territory. It is a former frontier outpost and the gateway to Kakadu National Park.

Highlights: 

Flexible Holidays

You’ll want to linger in Katherine and Darwin, the steamy capital of the Top End. It’s a good thing you’ve got free time to explore at your leisure.

Iconic Sites

If you love the great outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. Discover the wilds of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, as well as Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge.

Natural Wonders

Litchfield National Park is shaped by water, from its lakes and rivers to its waterfalls and waterholes. And there’s nothing quite as invigorating as taking a dip.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 1: Arrive in Darwin

Darwin is the kind of place that excites all your senses. It’s always steamy, which means you have a constant glow. The aroma of tropical fruits wafts from markets. The horizons are wide and sunsets blazing. And the locals… Well, they’re as colourful as your outlook. You’ll meet some of them on a Darwin city tour taking in sights and attractions that tell stories of the NT capital’s unexpected history. As the day begins to disappear, follow the lead of locals to the Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Your Travel Director will give you the lowdown, highlighting the eclectic range of cuisine on offer – expect everything from Greek to Japanese. What a tasty start to your getaway.

Hotel: Travelodge Darwin Resort

Day 2: Darwin - Katherine 

The ancient landscapes of Litchfield National Park are shaped by water, as you’ll fast discover when exploring this immense protected wilderness on a Litchfield tour. There are lakes and rivers, waterfalls and waterholes. Get set to visit Florence Falls, then take a dip in the gin-clear pool of Wangi Falls, this dreamy setting enveloped by monsoon forest. The landscape is also shaped by termites. The national park is pocked with enormous termite mounds, which are architectural feats complete with tunnels and nursery chambers. Small creatures with a big vision.  

Hotel: Contour Hotel Katherine, 2 Nights

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3:  Nitmuluk ( Katherine ) Gorge

Katherine is a little bit tropical, a little bit outback, and a whole lot gorgeous. The region’s main attraction is its gaping Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, which carves the countryside in spectacular form. Sit back on your boat and enjoy a cruise through this ancient landscape, home to the Jawoyn people for millennia. You’ll learn about First Nations culture with an Jawoyn guide, and will tempt your tastebuds with some bush tucker. Support the community by picking up paintings by Jawoyn artists  Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Katherine - Kakadu 

Today is your chance to reset your body’s natural rhythms with a morning dip in Edith Falls – because days are better when you begin them with your head under water. This series of cascades in Nitmiluk National Park will set your pulse racing. Before venturing deep into Kakadu, you’re poised for refreshments – we recommend a mango smoothie – in the film-set-like town of Pine Creek, where buildings date back to the heady gold rush days. In Kakadu, you’ll take a guided walk to view ancient Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie.

Hotel: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, 2 Nights

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Kakadu National Park

If you want a different perspective, sign up for an optional scenic flight over the national park, revealing just how wide, wild and wonderful this part of the world really is. Australia is home to some of the oldest art in the world, and much of it decorates rock walls at Ubirr – this jaw-dropping site protects Aboriginal rock paintings and carvings dating back more than 20,000 years. If you thought that was impressive, wait till you see the view over Kakadu from the top of the escarpment. This afternoon, there’s nothing between you and nature, the dramatic escarpments, waterholes and abundant wildlife of Kakadu looming large. Speaking of large, there are saltwater crocs to spot while you drift away on a Yellow Water Billabong cruise. Your local guide will share the secrets of these ancient waterways. Top off your holiday sharing a Farewell Dinner with your Travel Director and travel mates.  

Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 6: Farewell from Darwin 

Following your Kakadu tour, this is your last chance to spot enormous ‘salties’ lurking in river crossings you pass by. You won’t see them at Fogg Dam, but what you will witness is a cacophony of birds. This really is a twitchers paradise. A fitting (and slightly noisy) end to this epic wilderness journey.  

Included Meals: Breakfast

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Package Includes :

• Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver that are accredited with Kakadu National Parks

• Local Specialists (Guides)

• 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site - Kakadu National Park

• Centrally located premium hotels

• Kakadu National Park entrance fees

Dining

• 5 Full Breakfasts

• 1 Dinner

• 1 Farewell Dinner

What to Bring

• Warm layers in cooler months

• Water bottle

• Camera

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat

Fitness Requirements

• Kakadu – Nadab Lookout - Medium Level of Fitness Required

The climb to the top of Nadab Lookout at Ubirr in Kakadu National Park will not be suitable for all guests. To get to the lookout guests are required to scale up uneven rocky paths and steps to get to the lookout. There is an alternate route on a fairly flat gravel path for those unable climb to the top so they will not miss out on Rock Art.