Explore wetlands and ancient geological wonders, encounter remarkable wildlife and learn about the fascinating culture of Australia’s Top End on this week-long self drive itinerary. Head south from the tropical city of Darwin into the national parks of Australia’s Northern Territory.
Discover the spectacular waterfalls and immense termite mounds of Litchfield National Park, cruise through the mighty Katherine Gorge at Nitmiluk National Park and experience the remarkable flora and fauna of Kakadu National Park on a Yellow Waters billabong cruise.
A guided tour into one of Australia’s last untouched frontiers, Arnhem Land, will provide a fascinating insight into one of the world’s most ancient cultures, whilst time spent in laid-back Darwin offers the chance to uncover this remote city’s history as well as enjoy the famous sunset markets at Mindil Beach.
Itinerary
Spend the day at leisure in tropical Darwin. Wander along the tree lined esplanade and Bicentennial Park, relax at the waterfront precinct with its lagoon, wave pool and choice of restaurants, or visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory or the Darwin Military Museum. As the sun slips below the horizon you may wish to take an optional scenic cruise from Stokes Hill Wharf.
Optional Experiences
Darwin Harbour Sunset Cruise
Collect your hire car and drive south via Batchelor to Litchfield National Park. Covering 1500 square kilometres, Litchfield is known for its towering termite mounds and cascading waterfalls, with countless crystal clear swimming holes amid pockets of lush rainforest. Highlights include Wangi Falls, Florence Falls, the Lost City rock formations and the incredible magnetic termite mounds, which are thought to be up to 100 years old and reach 2 metres high. At the end of a full day exploring at leisure, make your way back to Batchelor for an overnight stay.
Continue south to Nitmiluk National Park today, a region steeped in Aboriginal culture. You may wish to take a short detour to Edith Falls for a swim in the lagoon before continuing on to one of the Northern Territory’s most spectacular natural attractions, the mighty Katherine Gorge. Experience the region’s varied flora and fauna on a memorable gorge cruise, where you will also learn about the history and traditions of the region’s Indigenous inhabitants as you admire the ever-changing colours of the dramatic rock formed nearly 23 million years ago. Alternatively you can canoe through the gorges or take to the skies to witness this remarkable landscape from above on a scenic flight.
Optional Experiences
Nit Nit Dreaming Two Gorge Cultural Tour, Katherine
Head towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kakadu National Park, home to native Aboriginals for more than 50,000 years, passing through the small townships of Katherine and Pine Creek along the way. Covering almost 20,000 sq km, Kakadu National Park shelters a staggering array of habitats and wildlife and is home to a plethora of thriving floodplains, thundering waterfalls and dramatic escarpments. Experience the best the park has to offer on a remarkable Yellow Waters billabong cruise. Encounter saltwater crocodiles, buffalos and a huge array of birdlife as your local guide regales you with tales about the park’s diverse environment, history and its traditional Aboriginal owners. On the way to your 2-night accommodation in Jabiru, take a short detour to Nourlangie Rock Art Site and learn about the history of Aboriginal communities that lived in Kakadu from their awe-inspiring descriptive paintings
Yellow Waters Billabong Cruise, Kakadu National Park
Optional Experiences
Kakadu Scenic Flight, Kakadu National Park
Enjoy an exhilarating 4WD day tour to one of Australia’s most untouched wilderness areas, Arnhem Land. Your Aboriginal guide will tell you the stories behind the ancient rock art, demonstrate traditional Aboriginal survival and hunting skills and enlighten you on the culture and history of the custodians of Arnhem Land, the Yolngu people. Throughout the tour you will witness some of Australia’s most epic landscapes from endless floodplains to immense escarpments, flourishing billabongs and abundant wildlife. Visitors to Arnhem Land are strictly limited in order to preserve the sanctity of the Aboriginals that live there, so this is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Arnhem Land Cultural and Heritage Tour
Travel back to Darwin for a final night stay in the city. Highly recommended are the bustling Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, a melting pot of cultures all socialising, eating and selling a variety of merchandise as the sun sinks into the Timor Sea.
This morning depart for your onwards journey.
Prices & departures
What's Included
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Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
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Breakfast, welcome drink & evening canapes at Cicada Lodge, Nitmiluk
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Car rental throughout
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Yellow Waters billabong cruise
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Full day Arnhem Land escorted tour
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24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
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No surcharge guarantee
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Full financial protection
From £1409 Excluding Flights
6 Nights
Apr-Nov
Prices are per person based upon 2 sharing, subject to availability. Your Travel Specialist will confirm the exact price based upon your tailored requirements, inclusions, and travel dates.
Make this trip yours
Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.
Lauren
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Cradle Mountain climb
We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch.
Experts with real experience
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Gary
Travel Specialist
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Jo
Travel Specialist
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Dawn
Head of Customer Experience
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Kieran
Travel Specialist
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Phoebe
Travel Specialist
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Freya
Travel Specialist
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Lauren
Travel Specialist
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Rosie
Travel Specialist
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Darren
Travel Specialist
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Eric
Travel Specialist
