Top End Tour - from Darwin

A 5 day 4WD adventure from Darwin through the tropical wetlands and untamed wilderness of the Northern Territory.

DARWIN TO DARWIN - Self Drive

DAY 1
DARWIN - KAKADU (210 kms)

Pick up your Avis 4WD vehicle either at the Darwin Airport Depot or Darwin City Depot and commence drive to Kakadu National Park. Travelling from Darwin for 25 kilometres you may want to stop at Fogg Dam where you can see a myriad of birdlife year round. After a short drive you may want to stop at the Windows of the Wetlands Visitors Centre for an introduction to Kakadu National Park.

Continue along the Arnhem Highway to your accommodation for the next two nights staying at the AURORA KAKADU. It is the 1st property inside the National Park from Darwin. This afternoon, you may wish to visit Ubirr Rock which is approximately 80 kms from your hotel.

KAKADU NATIONAL PARK – Towering over the park’s wetlands is the huge 500km long Arnhem Land escarpment which was created about 2 billion years ago. This ancient landscape will leave you with a feeling of majesty and awe. Its natural geological features, including rock formations, powerful waterways, towering cliffs, spectacular waterfalls and quiet, peaceful streams and lagoons, as well as it’s diverse wildlife, and unique plant life, together with some of the country’s best Aboriginal art galleries, add up to a truly magnificent area. The value of Kakadu’s treasures is also reflected in the park’s World Heritage listing, awarded for both cultural and natural significance.

JABIRU is the centre of Kakadu’s residential hub. The town, originally built for workers from the Ranger Uranium Mine, also houses many of the park employees. The Ranger Uranium Mine is 4km further on and tours of the mine are conducted regularly. The Bowali Visitor Centre and Park Headquarters – is located on the edge of Jabiru on the Kakadu Highway. This Centre provides everything you need to know about the park.

UBIRR ROCK is situated 40km from Jabiru and is where the main road crosses the East Alligator River into Arnhem Land (which is accessible only with a permit). Ubirr, reached by sealed road on this side of the river, is one of the main accessible art sites in the park. A 1km easy walking circuit trail leads from the car park. There are various art styles here, including the stick-like Mimi figures, some estimated to be up to 20,000 years old, but the more recent, dramatic, x-ray style is the most striking. Whilst at Ubirr, climb to the top of the rocky escarpment for splendid views out over the Kakadu countryside. You will also get a panoramic vista over the nearby billabongs of the Arnhem wetlands and the huge Arnhem Land escarpment, which lies across the East Alligator River.

DAY 2
KAKADU

Today enjoy a full day exploring Kakadu National Park. Following are some places of interest:

YELLOW WATERS – located virtually in the centre of the park, Yellow Waters is a magnificent billabong on the South Alligator River. Boat cruises on this beautiful stretch of water are popular. The cruises depart from Gagudju Cooinda Lodge. Please make bookings with reception. Also located here is the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. This excellent centre gives a good insight into local Aboriginal culture with artefacts and locally produced works of art available for sale.

NOURLANGIE ROCK – 33 kms south of Jabiru are the Nourlangie Rock and Anbangbang rock shelter, art sites of great significance to the traditional owners. The main galleries here include some excellent artwork with signboards explaining the figures and the stories behind them. The main circuit trail of 1.5km is a relatively easy stroll of about one hour.


DAY 3
KAKADU - KATHERINE (340 kms)

Today depart Kakadu along the Kakadu Highway via Pine Creek to Katherine. At Pine Creek join the Stuart Highway maybe taking a stop at Edith Falls for a swim before continuing to Katherine and your accommodation for the next two nights at the ALL SEASONS KATHERINE.

PINE CREEK was the scene of extensive mining in the 1880's and is now experiencing a renewal of interest with the reopening of mining activities. There are numerous historic buildings still standing, including the Old Playford Club Hotel, the Repeater Station, the Bakery and the Railway Siding Complex.

KATHERINE is the heart of the real Outback. Attractions in the area include places of historic interest, birds and wildlife in their natural surroundings, caves, gorges, Aboriginal lore and art, and for the adventurers, magnificent waterfalls, canyons and billabongs that are still unspoiled.

NITMILUK (KATHERINE GORGE) NATIONAL PARK - The highlight here is undoubtedly Katherine Gorge, located in the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park. The main entrance to the National Park is 32 kilometres from Katherine. Over millions of years, torrential summer rains in Arnhem Land during the wet season have caused the waters of the Katherine River to cut thirteen spectacular serpentine gorges. Cut into ancient rock, the canyon walls climb steeply above cool blue water, and there is abundant bird, fish and animal life, including the fresh water crocodile.


DAY 4
KATHERINE

Today is at your leisure to explore Katherine. You may wish to take a cruise on Katherine Gorge.

Another highlight of the area are the Cutta Cutta Caves which are situated 28 km south of the town. They are weirdly shaped rock formations and underground caves. Guided tours of the caves are conducted every day and a short walking trail takes people through typical tropical woodland.


DAY 5
KATHERINE - DARWIN via Litchfield National Park (344 kms)

This morning depart Katherine for your journey back to Darwin. After travelling along the Stuart Highway for 205 kilometres you may want to take a stop at Adelaide River and then continue for another 40 kilometres to Batchelor, the entrance to Litchfield National Park.

ADELAIDE RIVER township played an important role during World War II; after the bombing raid on Darwin in February 1942, Adelaide River became the centre of military activity as the Australian and American headquarters were relocated there, along with camps, hospitals, airfields and army supply depots. There are a number of World War II sites, including the War Cemetery and the large ammunition depot at Snake Gully.

BATCHELOR is a small township and was once the main town for Rum Jungle, Australia’s first uranium mine and one of the largest economic influences in the Top End’s development at that time. Uranium was discovered in the area in 1949, and in 1952 the township of Batchelor was established to service the nearby mine site. Today apart from a couple of jungle-clad and deep man-made lakes, little remains of this mining venture.

LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK features permanent water and changing terrain that makes it one of the better bush walking areas in the Top End. There are monsoonal rainforests, hot springs, the Tabletop range escarpment with its imposing sandstone outcrops, spring fed creeks, huge groves of cycads and historic tin mines. On the eastern side of the plateau is Florence Falls, about 5 kilometres off the sealed road and an excellent swimming hole in the dry seasons.

After enjoying some time at Litchfield National Park continue to Darwin. This drive is approximately 99 kilometres. You may drop off your rental vehicle either at the Darwin Airport or Darwin City Depot.

5 day self drive tour - from £515

Kakadu Yellow Waters Cruise £55
Katherine Gorge Cruise £54

Accommodation specified is subject to availability and may be substituted to a similar or higher standard if necessary.