Trips

Kakadu and Ubirr

There’s a lot to the Northern Territory beyond its iconic red rock and dust – it’s also a place full of water and wildlife. Start today by entering the lands of a classic Aussie animal – the saltwater crocodile. After a pickup from the accommodation, head to Corroboree Billabong – part of the Mary River wetlands. See how many you can spot on a wildlife cruise – it shouldn’t be hard, the species found here is the biggest in the world. Afterwards it’s on towards Kakadu National Park, stopping by the bank of East Alligator River for a picnic lunch and some croc and flying fox spotting. Next, make a stop at one of the most unforgettable art galleries in the world – Ubirr. Learn about the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander groups that have lived here for more than 50,000 years with a viewing of its ancient rock paintings. Your guide will explain the cultural significance of this artwork before we clamber up a rocky escarpment for 360-degree views across the Nardab floodplain and Arnhemland. Tonight we’ll camp in an exclusive safari camp at Garnamarr – at the base of the escarpment and within the National Park. There’s only one way to end a day like this – a Great Aussie BBQ with a chance to try our taste plate of Crocodile, Buffalo and Kangaroo, followed by zipping yourself up in a swag. It’s like your own personal sleeping bag and tent in one handy roll. Notes: Walking distance today is around 6 kilometres.

Jim Jim Falls and Barramundi Gorge

Rumbling around the Outback in a 4WD – it doesn’t get much more Aussie than that. That’s exactly what we’ll do after breakfast this morning as we drive out into Kakadu to Jim Jim Falls. The twin falls that cascade 200 metres down are said to be the jewel in the crown of Kakadu, and they’re surely one of this trip’s highlights. Take a 1- kilometre walk through monsoonal vine forest to the base of Jim Jim Falls’ towering sandstone cliffs, and soak up the views of another of Kakadu’s natural wonders. Then it’s on another of Kakadu’s hidden gems – Maguk (Barramundi Gorge), where the pools plunge and the water falls. A 1-kilometre walk through towering paperbarks is rewarded with a dip in those perfect pools. After you’ve swum yourself out, it on to the whole world of wilderness that is Litchfield National Park. Notes: Walking distance today is around 4 kilometres.

Litchfield National Park

Litchfield might be near to Darwin, but we’re definitely in the heart of the wilderness here. The park is named after a Top End explorer but has long been important to the Mak Mak Marranunggu, Werat and Waray people. A collection of top-notch waterholes and waterfalls, Litchfield is somewhere you definitely want to have you swimming gear on hand for. Stop by the large falls and sunbathing rocks of Wangi Falls, before we make our way to Tolmer Falls for some spectacular views over the park. Relaxing or splashing about in the multiple plunge pools of Buley Rockhole is on the menu before a picnic lunch, then a final dip in the monsoon forest double- plunge cascade of Florence Falls. After we’ve had our final fill of swimming, we’ll head back towards Darwin, stopping to admire the building skills of termites, who’ve constructed the Giant Cathedral Termite and Magnetic Termite mounds. Appreciate the desert colours one last time as this Northern Territory adventure comes to an end back in Darwin around 5:30pm. Notes: Walking distance today is around 2 kilometres.