6D5N Darwin Top End Highlights Guided Tour
- Duration: 5 Days (approx.)
- Location: Darwin
- Product code: 6NDRWTEHAA
6D5N Darwin Top End Highlights Guided Tour
(Departure Every Thursday, Subject to availability)
The vibrant Indigenous culture, friendly local characters and magnificent landscapes you’ll encounter on this Top End journey will leave you spellbound
This Northern Territory tour doesn’t shy away from dazzling wilderness areas. And many are on your itinerary this week. Get set for a parade of gorges, national parks, dreamy waterfalls and cool waterholes, all enveloped by ancient (and humbling) First Nations history.
- Travel Director
- Driver Guide and local Guides
Trip Overview
- Travel: 6 days, 1 country and 3 cities
- Accommodation: 5 nights
- Meals: 5 Full Breakfasts, 1 Dinner, 1 Farewell Dinner
- CODE: NDKD
✅ What's included
- Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver that are accredited with Kakadu National Parks
- 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site - Kakadu National Park - Including Aboriginal Rock Art sites
- Comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres
- Kakadu National Park entrance fees & Northern Territory Parks entrance fees included
- Kakadu's Yellow Waters Billabong Cruise & Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge Cruise
- Litchfield National Park Touring including waterfalls
✅ Fitness Requirements
Low level of fitness required.
- 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.
✅ Flight Information
Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price.
Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 1.30pm into Darwin Airport
Day 6 – flights to depart after 1.00pm from Darwin Airport
✅ What to bring
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
- Water bottle
- Warm layers in cooler months
- Camera
- Comfortable walking shoes
Day by day itinerary
6 Days Guided Holiday | Darwin to Darwin
Day 1: Welcome to Darwin
Welcome to Darwin
Darwin is the kind of place that excites all your senses. It’s always tropical, which means you have a constant glow. The aroma of Top End delights wafts from markets. The horizons are wide and sunsets blazing. Take in sights and attractions that tell stories of the NT capital’s history on a city tour. As the day begins to disappear, follow the lead of the colourful 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 but it is always hard to go past a Laska (own expense). What a tasty start to your getaway.
☪️ Accommodation: Travelodge Darwin Resort
Day 2: Darwin - Katherine
Darwin - Katherine
The ancient landscapes of Litchfield National Park are shaped by water, as you’ll fast discover when exploring this immense protected wilderness. There are 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. (Swimming is seasonal and opening is controlled by NT Parks). 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.
☪️ Accommodation: Contour Hotel Katherine
Included Meals: Full Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Nitmiluk Gorge
Nitmiluk Gorge
The region’s main attraction is its stunning Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, which carves the countryside in spectacular form. This awe-inspiring natural wonder features a series of gorges sculpted from ancient sandstone, offering breathtaking views and unique geological formations. Sit back and enjoy a cruise through this ancient landscape, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, home to the Jawoyn people, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about their rich cultural heritage and traditions. The cruise not only provides a visual feast but also enriches your understanding of the deep spiritual connection the Jawoyn people have with the land. In the afternoon, join Tom Curtain's award-winning Katherine Outback Experience to delve into the Northern Territory's unique pastoral history and culture.
☪️ Accommodation: Contour Hotel Katherine
Included Meals: Full Breakfast
Day 4: Katherine - Kakadu
Katherine - Kakadu
Today is your chance to reset your body’s natural rhythms with a morning dip in Katherine Hot Springs – because days are better when you begin them in thermal waters. These hot springs will have you relaxed in no time. Before venturing deep into Kakadu, you’re poised for refreshments with a short stopover in the film-set-like town of Pine Creek, where buildings date to the heady gold rush days. In Kakadu, you’ll take a guided walk to view ancient Aboriginal rock art at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie).
☪️ Accommodation: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Included Meals: Full Breakfast
Day 5: Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park
If you want a different perspective, sign up for a scenic flight over the national park, revealing just how wide, wild and wonderful this part of the world really is (own expense). 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 cruise guide will share the secrets of these ancient waterways. Top off your holiday sharing a Farewell Dinner with your Travel Director and travel mates.
☪️ Accommodation: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Included Meals: Full Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 6: Farewell from Darwin
Farewell from Darwin
Following your Kakadu tour, you may also spot enormous ‘salties’ lurking in river crossings you pass by. Plus you may also see them at Fogg Dam. But here you will definitely witness a cacophony of birds. This really is a twitcher's paradise. A fitting end to this epic wilderness journey.
Included Meals: Full Breakfast
Highlights
✅ Make Travel Matter
Nitmiluk Tours is a successful 100% wholly owned and operated Indigenous Tourism Operation within Nitmiluk National Park and is the exclusive provider for touring the breathtaking Nitmiluk Gorge by boat.
? Flexible Holidays
You’ll want to linger in Katherine, Kakadu and Darwin. It’s a good thing you’ve got free time to discover the steamy Top End 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 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.
To ensure your holiday is filled with memorable experiences, we have included a range of quality Optional Excursions for you to choose from and partake in, if you wish, during your holiday. The excursions can be booked on tour through your Travel Director. Our more popular optional experiences can be reserved at the time of your booking. Subject to availability.
Kakadu Air Scenic Flights
Experience Info
One of the best ways to experience Kakadu is on a 30 minutes scenic flight in a fixed-wing aircraft, which allows you to see the amazing escarpments, waterways and wetlands. You will be amazed by the vastness and varied landscape that can be best experienced from the air. An experience not to be missed. *Please Note: This optional experience can be reserved at the time of your trip booking. Please enquire with your travel agent or reservations team member. Subject to availability.
Pricing Info:
- Adults: AU$ 159.00
- Children: AU$ 130.00
How to Book?
Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour.
Darwin Harbour Cruises - Charles Darwin Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise (Post Tour Only)
Experience Info
The Dinner Cruise aboard the ‘Charles Darwin’ is a great way to get a bird’s eye view of the famous Darwin Sunset whilst enjoying a delicious Territory Style Buffet with Australian seafood and local produce all in air conditioned comfort. This two hour cruise on the ‘Charles Darwin’s’ Captains Deck (main deck) also includes great commentary and offers the best value for money dinner cruise on Darwin harbour. This Sunset cruise is the perfect way to end your Darwin experience. (Return transfers can be organised at extra cost). To partake in this experience you will require an additional post tour night accommodation or a flight that departs after 8pm on the day of the tour.
Pricing Info:
How to Book?
Optional Experiences are enhancements to your tour and can be booked through your Travel Director while on tour.
Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort. The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:
Travelodge Darwin Resort
Located in the heart of the CBD, Travelodge Darwin Resort is an inner city oasis, close to everything in town while providing privacy in a lush setting.
Contour Hotel Katherine
Situated near Katherine Town Centre, and is the perfect location for exploring Nitmiluk National Park.
Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
The indigenous owned accommodation is uniquely shaped to represent Kakadu's most famous inhabitant, the saltwater crocodile. Relax in the recently refurbished rooms, unwind in your private courtyard, by the shaded outdoor pool.
May
Departure: Thursday May 22, 2025
Return: Tuesday May 27, 2025
- Adult Twin: $2,608
- Single Room: $3,408
June
Departure: Thursday Jun 5, 2025
Return: Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
- Adult Twin: $2,768
- Single Room: $3,608
Departure: Thursday Jun 19, 2025
Return: Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
- Adult Twin: $2,768
- Single Room: $3,608
July
Departure: Thursday Jul 3, 2025
Return: Tuesday Jul 8, 2025
- Adult Twin: $2,768
- Single Room: $3,608
Departure: Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Return: Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
- Adult Twin: $2,768
- Single Room: $3,608
Departure: Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Return: Tuesday Aug 5, 2025
- Adult Twin: $3,228
- Single Room: $4,078
August
Departure: Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Return: Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
- Adult Twin: $2,768
- Single Room: $3,608
September
Departure: Thursday Sep 4, 2025
Return: Tuesday Sep 9, 2025
- Adult Twin: $2,768
- Single Room: $3,608
2026 Available Dates & Prices (As of 3 February 2025)
May
Departure: Thursday May 21, 2026
Return: Tuesday May 26, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,228
- Single Room: $4,078
Departure: Thursday May 28, 2026
Return: Tuesday Jun 2, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,228
- Single Room: $4,078
June
Departure: Thursday Jun 4, 2026
Return: Tuesday Jun 9, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,388
- Single Room: $4,268
Departure: Thursday Jun 11, 2026
Return: Tuesday Jun 16, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,388
- Single Room: $4,268
Departure: Thursday Jun 18, 2026
Return: Tuesday Jun 23, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,388
- Single Room: $4,268
July
Departure: Thursday Jul 2, 2026
Return: Tuesday Jul 7, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,388
- Single Room: $4,268
Departure: Thursday Jul 9, 2026
Return: Tuesday Jul 14, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,388
- Single Room: $4,268
Departure: Thursday Jul 16, 2026
Return: Tuesday Jul 21, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,388
- Single Room: $4,268
Departure: Thursday Jul 23, 2026
Return: Tuesday Jul 28, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,388
- Single Room: $4,268
Departure: Thursday Jul 30, 2026
Return: Tuesday Aug 4, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,388
- Single Room: $4,268
August
Departure: Thursday Aug 13, 2026
Return: Tuesday Aug 18, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,388
- Single Room: $4,268
Departure: Thursday Aug 20, 2026
Return: Tuesday Aug 25, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,388
- Single Room: $4,268
Departure: Thursday Aug 27, 2026
Return: Tuesday Sep 1, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,388
- Single Room: $4,268
September
Departure: Thursday Sep 3, 2026
Return: Tuesday Sep 8, 2026
- Adult Twin: $3,388
- Single Room: $4,268
