See all the highlights of northern Australia’s remarkable Top End on a three-day tour of Kakadu and Katherine. This Northern Territory adventure takes you cruising the Mary River wetlands, visiting ancient Aboriginal rock art sites, and admiring the majesty of Gunlom falls. You'll also swim in pristine rock pools at Wangi Falls, photograph the amazing twin waterfalls at Florence Falls and experience Katherine Gorge at sunset on a candlelit dinner cruise. With accommodation in Kakadu and Katherine included, see all the famous Top End sights in just three days on this expertly guided small-group tour, limited to 16 people.
Highlights
- 3-day Kakadu and Katherine tour from Darwin
- The ultimate way to see the major attractions of Australia's Top End!
- Navigate billabongs on a Mary River wetlands cruise
- Visit the ancient Aboriginal rock art sites at Ubirr -- an outdoor museum in the desert
- Relax on the sunset cultural dinner cruise along Katherine Gorge
- Experience majestic Gunlom Falls and take a swim or a bush walk at Wangi Falls
- See the huge termite mounds in Litchfield National Park
What You Can Expect
Ubirr Ancient Rock Art Site
Day 1: Darwin -- Kakadu National Park (L)
Departing from Darwin’s Transit Centre, take a trip in an air-conditioned 4WD to the Mary River floodplains, Australia’s most northerly tropical wetlands. Cruise the Mary River’s extensive system of pools and billabongs, and listen to an expert commentary as you glide past water lilies and basking crocodiles. Leaving the wetlands, stop for lunch on the way to the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Visit the Bowali Visitor Centre to learn about Kakadu’s significant flora and fauna, and see ancient Aboriginal rock art sites at Ubirr. Admire the sites’ ‘x-ray’ style rock paintings, and compare them to the even older, more delicate Mimi paintings. In the afternoon, be dropped off at your accommodation, where you have the remainder of the day and evening to spend at your leisure.
Overnight: Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Kakadu National Park
Day 2: Kakadu National Park -- Gunlom Falls -- Katherine Gorge -- Katherine (D)
In the morning, take a trip along the Kakadu Highway to Gunlom Falls in Kakadu’s southern region. Take a refreshing swim in the falls’ serene plunge pool on Waterfall Creek, shaded by leafy eucalyptus gum trees. Leaving Kakadu National Park, travel further south to the small township of Pine Creek. After lunch in Pine Creek (own expense), visit the regional town of Katherine. In the late afternoon, join a sunset dinner cruise on Katherine Gorge to learn about the history and culture of the Jawoyn people as you cruise along two tranquil gorges. As the sun sets, enjoy a three-course buffet dinner as you take in the beautiful surroundings of Katherine Gorge by candlelight.
Overnight: Ibis Styles, Katherine
Day 3: Litchfield National Park -- Darwin (L)
Start your day by traveling from Katherine to the Adelaide River War Cemetery, where soldiers and civilians killed in the 1942 air raids on Darwin lie buried. Continue to Litchfield National Park, and stop to photograph the park’s amazing termite mounds, some standing well over 6.5 feet (2 meters) tall. Travel further into the park to visit Florence Falls, a photogenic double waterfall surrounded by lush rainforest. Cool off in a series of cascading plunge pools at Buley Rockhole, and visit the rock pool at Wangi Falls after lunch. Take another swim in Wangi Falls or go for a nature walk to the top of the falls before returning to Darwin via the Cox Peninsula Road, arriving in Darwin at approximately 6pm.
Departing from Darwin’s Transit Centre, take a trip in an air-conditioned 4WD to the Mary River floodplains, Australia’s most northerly tropical wetlands. Cruise the Mary River’s extensive system of pools and billabongs, and listen to an expert commentary as you glide past water lilies and basking crocodiles. Leaving the wetlands, stop for lunch on the way to the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Visit the Bowali Visitor Centre to learn about Kakadu’s significant flora and fauna, and see ancient Aboriginal rock art sites at Ubirr. Admire the sites’ ‘x-ray’ style rock paintings, and compare them to the even older, more delicate Mimi paintings. In the afternoon, be dropped off at your accommodation, where you have the remainder of the day and evening to spend at your leisure.
Overnight: Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Kakadu National Park
Day 2: Kakadu National Park -- Gunlom Falls -- Katherine Gorge -- Katherine (D)
In the morning, take a trip along the Kakadu Highway to Gunlom Falls in Kakadu’s southern region. Take a refreshing swim in the falls’ serene plunge pool on Waterfall Creek, shaded by leafy eucalyptus gum trees. Leaving Kakadu National Park, travel further south to the small township of Pine Creek. After lunch in Pine Creek (own expense), visit the regional town of Katherine. In the late afternoon, join a sunset dinner cruise on Katherine Gorge to learn about the history and culture of the Jawoyn people as you cruise along two tranquil gorges. As the sun sets, enjoy a three-course buffet dinner as you take in the beautiful surroundings of Katherine Gorge by candlelight.
Overnight: Ibis Styles, Katherine
Day 3: Litchfield National Park -- Darwin (L)
Start your day by traveling from Katherine to the Adelaide River War Cemetery, where soldiers and civilians killed in the 1942 air raids on Darwin lie buried. Continue to Litchfield National Park, and stop to photograph the park’s amazing termite mounds, some standing well over 6.5 feet (2 meters) tall. Travel further into the park to visit Florence Falls, a photogenic double waterfall surrounded by lush rainforest. Cool off in a series of cascading plunge pools at Buley Rockhole, and visit the rock pool at Wangi Falls after lunch. Take another swim in Wangi Falls or go for a nature walk to the top of the falls before returning to Darwin via the Cox Peninsula Road, arriving in Darwin at approximately 6pm.
Itinerary
Hotel Accommodation:
Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn:
this indigenous-owned hotel is uniquely shaped to represent Kakadu's most famous inhabitant, the saltwater crocodile. The hotel has all the main facilities including restaurant, bars and swimming pool.
Ibis Styles Hotel, Katherine:
Located near the Katherine town center, the hotel has a restaurant, bar, pool, tennis court and BBQ area
Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn:
this indigenous-owned hotel is uniquely shaped to represent Kakadu's most famous inhabitant, the saltwater crocodile. The hotel has all the main facilities including restaurant, bars and swimming pool.
Ibis Styles Hotel, Katherine:
Located near the Katherine town center, the hotel has a restaurant, bar, pool, tennis court and BBQ area
Customer Reviews
January 2011
This trip was probably the best we have ever taken. The driver / guide, Max, was wonderful. His knowledge of the area and sites was remarkable, such that I at first thought he was playing a recording, but no, it was just his obvious love of the region that came over in his commentaries. The Crocodile Hotel was excellent, especially the evening buffet, which we felt was good value for money. The All Seasons hotel /lodge was adequate but was obviously showing signs of tiredness. The sheets were clean but were not sparkling white and had little holes in them. The river cruise along The Katherine river, and the buffet supper, were amazing. Overall though it was a brilliant tour and really added to our once in a lifetime trip round Australia and has given us some wonderful memories to look back on now we are back in the cold, wet UK. Thank you.
Anonymous
July 2010
This was an excellent combination of varied experiences and activities.
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