Experience a unique 4-day Kakadu tour from Darwin. Explore Katherine and Kakadu National Park with a fully guided tour. Discover the world’s oldest and best-preserved Aboriginal rock art. Spot crocodiles as we cruise the river system. Immerse yourself in local culture, stories, and traditions. Explore monsoon forests and spectacular escarpment country. Witness the fantastic biodiversity of Kakadu’s landscapes. Stay in comfortable air-conditioned accommodations in Kakadu and Katherine.
| DAYS | 4 |
| DEPARTS | 06:30 |
| RETURNS | 18:30 |
| PRICE | $ 1950 AUD |
Highlights
- You can visit Kakadu National Park, a designated World Heritage site.
- Explore Bowali & Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centres
- You can take the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River, situated on the Kakadu border and Arnhem Land.
- Watch for Crocs and Barramundi at Cahills Crossing
- Ubirr Rock offers stunning Aboriginal rock art and beautiful sunset views.
- Visitors can explore two remarkable Aboriginal rock art locations, Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) and Ubirr Rock (weather and season permitting).
- Kakadu and Edith Falls are known for their spectacular waterholes, providing a peaceful atmosphere with waterfalls and plunge pools for relaxation.
- You can engage in Jawoyn culture during a NitNit Katherine Gorge cruise and have the option to take a scenic helicopter ride over Katherine Gorge and its surroundings. Additionally, you can learn from locals and explore Art and culture at Katherine’s Top Didj Art Gallery.
This itinerary is subject to change due to seasonal conditions and access restrictions. Waterfalls are usually closed until late June. Kakadu National Park has a diverse landscape and extreme weather conditions, so flexibility and adaptability are required. Use these itinerary highlights as a rough guideline only.
What you can actually see!
Itinerary
Day 1: Darwin to Kakadu National Park
We leave Darwin and head to WakWak, a wetlands region an hour away, to see the beautiful scenery. We can see a variety of birds and crocodiles in Katherine. Then, we go to Kakadubut before stopping by the Bowali Visitor Centre to learn about the park. We take a cultural tour of the East Alligator River in the East Alligator region. We hope to see crocodiles and enjoy the creation stories of the area. We also visited Ubirr Rock, which has fantastic Aboriginal Art. Finally, we go to our accommodation for dinner.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
The accommodations at Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel offer various room options, including twin, double, and single rooms with ensuite bathrooms.
Driving Distance: 420km
The hike distance is 1km, and the grading is Grade 2-3.
Day 2: Kakadu National Park
Today, we will visit cultural centres and art sites showcasing the stories of different Kakadu and Arnhem Land clan groups. Our guided walk will take us through Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) and other areas like Kunwarddewardde Lookout, Anbangbang Billabong, and Nawurlandja. If the group wants, we can also visit the Naguluwurr art site. These places offer breathtaking views of escarpments, stone country, woodlands, floodplains, and wetlands. Take time to appreciate the gallery creation stories and artworks and learn about local traditions, plants, and wildlife. After a beautiful sunset, we will return to our accommodation for dinner and rest.
Meals available include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel accommodation options include twin, double, and single rooms with ensuite bathrooms. The driving distance is 150km, and the hike distance is 1km with a grade 2 difficulty level.
Day 3: Kakadu to Katherine
In the morning, we prepare to travel southwest to Katherine and Nitmiluk. The road offers beautiful views of the Northern Australian bush. Look for wildlife like the red-tailed black cockatoo, agile wallabies, wild horses, and buffalo. We stop in Pine Creek to stretch our legs and enjoy refreshments, including homemade ice cream. Pine Creek has a rich history, including the Overland Telegraph construction and the gold rush era of the 1870s. We can visit the Pine Creek Museum, a National Trust building and Australia’s oldest prefabricated corrugated iron building. After checking in to our accommodation in Katherine, we go to Nitmiluk National Park and Katherine Gorge. We take the NitNit Dreaming Two Gorge Cruise, which lasts 2 hours and provides insight into the area’s history and stories. The cruise takes us through 70m sheer rock walls, where we can spot wildlife. It is a relaxing and beautiful experience. After the cruise, we return to Katherine to relax in our comfortable accommodation and prepare for our final day of exploration.
The meals provided during the trip are breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Accommodation options include Katherine, Knotts Crossing Resort or Contour Hotel, with twin, double, and single rooms available, all with ensuite bathrooms. The driving distance is 310km, and no hike distance or grading is involved.
Day 4: Katherine to Darwin
This morning, we explored the Katherine area, starting with a visit to the Hot Springs for a refreshing dip and float. We then went to the Top Didj Gallery, where we had the opportunity to view artwork by local artists and learn about the bush tucker and bush medicine gardens. After that, we continued our journey south to the stunning Edith Falls, where we enjoyed a picnic lunch and relaxed in the beautiful Top End surroundings. The highlight was the large plunge pool beneath a cascading waterfall, providing a welcome opportunity to escape the heat.
After your swim, we will ensure you return to Darwin in time to explore the Mindil Markets, relax at your accommodation, and reflect on your experiences and new friendships.
The scheduled meals for the day include breakfast and lunch. The driving distance is 350km, and the hike distance is 1km, with a grading of Grade 1.
Details
Pricing Options
4 Day Kakadu Tours 4WD Adventure:
$1,950 per person *Twin Share Room
*Solo passengers who book this fare option will be paired in a room with another traveller, where possible, with the same gender, but this is not guaranteed.
Children between 12 and 17 must stay in a private room with a legal guardian or adult. Please note that Triple share or family rooms are unavailable, and due to the remote nature of the tour, ensuite facilities are not available at every property.
Not suitable for infants or children 11 years and under
Aditional Information
What's Included?
- 3 Nights Resort Accommodation (Kakadu Jabiru x2, Katherine x1)
- Includes: 3 x Breakfast, 4 x Lunch, 3 x Dinner
- Aboriginal culture and rock art viewing
- Cultural Boat Cruise on East Alligator River
- Kakadu Park permit pass fees
- Guided bush walking tours (~8.5km, grade 2-6)
- Accredited outback driver-guide
- Travel in air-conditioned off-road 4WD mini-coach
- Comprehensive commentary on the tour
- Pickup/ drop-off from selected inner-city Darwin points
What do you need to bring?
- 3L Refillable water bottle
- Hat, Sunglasses, Sunscreen
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- All weather clothing
- Insect repellent
- Money for food & beverages
- Camera
- Towel & toiletries
- Flashlight or torch
- Swimwear or bathers
Exclusions
- Any meals not previously indicated in the itinerary
- Travel insurance is highly recommended
- Pre/post-tour hotel transfers
- Additional personal expenses
- We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance
Tour Pickup Location
2023 (Shoulder Season)
These departures may operate off a slightly different itinerary due to seasonal waterfall closures, which usually don’t open until late June.
- Departure 1 – Mon 1st May 2023
- Departure 2 – Thurs 4th May 2023
- Departure 3 – Mon 8th May 2023
- Departure 4 – Thurs 11th May 2023
- Departure 5 – Mon 15th May 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 6 – Thurs 18th May 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 7 – Mon 22nd May 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 8 – Thurs 25th May 2023
- Departure 9 – Mon 29th May 2023
- Departure 10 – Thurs 1st Jun 2023
- Departure 11 – Mon 5th Jun 2023
- Departure 12 – Thurs 8th Jun 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 13 – Mon 12th Jun 2023
- Departure 14 – Thurs 15h Jun 2023
- Departure 15 – Mon 19th Jun 2023
- Departure 16 – Thurs 22nd Jun 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 17 – Mon 26th Jun 2023
- Departure 18 – Thurs 29th Jun 2023
2023 (Dry Season)
These departures operate on the standard itinerary.
- Departure 19 – Mon 3rd Jul 2023
- Departure 20 – Thurs 6th Jul 2023
- Departure 21 – Mon 10th Jul 2023
- Departure 22 – Thurs 13th Jul 2023
- Departure 23 – Mon 17th Jul 2023
- Departure 24 – Thurs 20th Jul 2023
- Departure 25 – Mon 24h Jul 2023
- Departure 26 – Thurs 27th Jul 2023
- Departure 27 – Mon 31st Jul 2023
- Departure 28 – Thurs 3rd Aug 2023
- Departure 29 – Mon 7th Aug 2023
- Departure 30 – Thurs 10th Aug 2023 (NO Ensuites Anbinik)
- Departure 31 – Mon 14th Aug 2023
- Departure 32 – Thurs 17th Aug 2023
- Departure 33 – Mon 21st Aug 2023
- Departure 34 – Thurs 24th Aug 2023
- Departure 35 – Mon 28th Aug 2023
- Departure 36 – Thurs 31st Aug 2023
- Departure 37 – Mon 4th Sep 2023
- Departure 38 – Thurs 7th Sep 2023
- Departure 39 – Mon 11th Sep 2023
- Departure 40 – Thurs 14th Sep 2023
- Departure 41 – Mon 18th Sep 2023
- Departure 42 – Thurs 21st Sep 2023
- Departure 43 – Mon 25th Sep 2023
- Departure 44 – Thurs 28th Sep 2023
- Departure 45 – Mon 2nd Oct 2023
- Departure 46 – Thurs 5th Oct 2023
- Departure 47 – Mon 9th Oct 2023
- Departure 48 – Thurs 12th Oct 2023
- Departure 49 – Mon 16th Oct 2023
- Departure 50 – Thurs 19th Oct 2023
- Departure 51 – Mon 23rd Oct 2023
- Departure 52 – Thurs 26th Oct 2023
- Departure 53 – Mon 30th Oct 2023
Important Notes
- Mandatory passenger details are required when booking: date of birth, gender, and phone number.
- We will try to cater to most dietary needs and food allergies. When booking, passengers MUST notify the tour operator of any special dietary requirements or medical conditions.
- A minimum moderate to advanced fitness level is required to complete the walks. The length of walks will be between 2km to 4km each day, often over steep rocky sections and in direct sunlight and high humidity. An approximate 8.5km walk is included in this tour. Embarking on walks will be at the guide’s discretion to ensure the safety of guests. Therefore, a medium/high fitness level and a doctor’s certificate are required for people over 70 (30 days before travel).
- An adult or legal guardian must always accompany children between 8 and 17 years old and stay in private twin rooms. Not suitable for infants or children seven years and under.
- All private rooms are subject to availability and on request.
- Limited storage space on our vehicle, baggage kept to 1 x 15kg travel bag, 1 x 5kg day bag. Not suitable for mobility-impaired travellers, wheelchairs, walkers or strollers.
- Itineraries may vary to adapt to seasonal changes, and occasionally, sites in the parks close or do not allow swimming. As safety is our top priority, we plan to ensure our guests have the most fun and best experience possible on tour.
- Guests are asked to participate in preparing meals, cleaning up, and vehicle unpacking/loading so everyone can relax after a long day of touring. It’s also a great way to get to know and connect with fellow travellers.
Weather
Online Booking
FAQ
What kind of tours are available for seniors in Kakadu National Park?
Are the tours suitable for seniors with limited mobility?
What kind of wildlife and natural sights can I expect to see in Kakadu National Park?
Is it safe for seniors to visit Kakadu National Park?
Can seniors learn about Aboriginal culture during their visit?
Absolutely. Kakadu National Park offers a rich array of Aboriginal cultural experiences. Seniors can visit ancient rock art sites, go on cultural tours led by Aboriginal guides, and participate in interactive activities such as didgeridoo workshops and bush tucker tours.