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Darwin · Northern territory · Australia
Guided 7 Day Walk the Top End Tour
Starting From
From $4,701.14 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
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Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
Explore the best walking trails of the Top End of Australia. Explore Kakadu – the largest National Park in Australia covering almost 20,000 square kilometers and home to over 2,000 plant species, hundreds of bird species and pre-historic Aboriginal rock art paintings. Swim in the waterfall holes of Litchfield National Park and experience 2 regions in dramatic Nitmiluk National Park home of the dramatic Katherine Gorge. Winter is the best time to explore this region, from June to August is the dry season in the Territory, with warm sunny days and clear skies the norm. Our itinerary has been designed to offer a choice of walking options to suit both the temperatures on the day and the abilities of our walkers with most walks designed to enjoy a refreshing swim in a cool waterhole or natural plunge pool during your walk.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Explore Kakadu National Park
- Litchfield National Park
- Nitmiluk National Park
- Seasonal Perfection (June to August)
- Flexible Walking Options
- Refreshing Swims
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Darwin
Transportation. Welcome to Australia! Our journey begins at the Novotel Atrium Darwin where you will meet your guides. From here we travel to Litchfield National Park for the first of our walking adventures.
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Eco Tour at Litchfield National Park. Litchfield National Park Walk: This beautiful National Park is renowned for its stunning waterfalls which cascade from a sandstone plateau called the Tabletop Range. Today’s walk takes us from Florence Falls to beautiful Buley Rockhole. Along the track, you will experience plenty of birdlife, including honeyeaters, kingfishers and pigeons. Besides birdlife, you might spot other wildlife as well including northern quolls and black flying foxes. Arriving at Buley Rockhole we stop for a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters and watch the streams cascading over the rocks in this beautiful oasis. After lunch, we continue walking to the lookout at Tolmer Falls, where you can view water cascading into a stunning pool below and linger in the rock pools above the falls. Afterwards, we make a brief stop at spectacular Wangi Falls, surrounded by monsoon rainforest where you can enjoy a cool swim in the pool. Afterwards, we head to our accommodation at Litchfield Outback Resort.
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In the evening, we enjoy a hearty dinner served with wine and chat about the day’s adventures.
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Accommodation.
Day 2
Darwin
Hiking at Kakadu National Park. Kakadu Ubirr Walk - Jabiru: Enjoy a hearty breakfast before we farewell Litchfield National Park. Our aim today, is to get you straight to Kakadu National Park so you can maximize your time in this special region with its spectacular sandstone escarpments and dramatic scenery. Kakadu National Park is made up of several regions including the East Alligator Region, Nourlangie Region, Jim Jim and Twin Falls region and Mary River region. Our journey will ensure you experience the best walks in each of these special and unique areas. Upon arrival in Kakadu, we will visit the Border Store which is run by Injalak Arts that have beautiful painting on bark, handprinted fabrics and weavings before enjoying lunch at Cahills Crossing with viewing platforms over the river. From here we make our way to Ubirr to see the fascinating rock art. Our walk takes us through a series of natural rock galleries with paintings documenting ancient human interaction with the environment. A few galleries have an extra element of intrigue with some of the first interactions with non-Aboriginal people recorded, once we reach the top of the escarpment enjoy stunning views over Kakadu. Afterwards we return to Jabiru to our accommodation for the evening at the Mercure Crocodile Hotel, the best hotel in Jabiru.
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Breakfast. Tonight enjoy a dinner served with wine in the charming Escaprment restaurant featuring local Kakadu flavors.
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Accommodation.
Day 3
Darwin
Eco Tour at Kakadu National Park. Nourlangie Region Walk: After an early breakfast, we head off early to the Nourlangie Region for a dramatic walk in Kakadu’s Stone Country. Begin your adventure with the Anbangbang Billabong and Nawurlandja Lookout track, circling the picturesque billabong where birdlife thrives, and wallabies seek refuge under paperbarks. Marvel at the views of Nourlangie Rock as you navigate through shaded areas and scramble to the Nawurlandja Lookout for breathtaking vistas. Spot jabirus along the shore before concluding your journey. Then, embark on the Nourlangie Art Site track, traversing steep and rugged terrain to discover ancient Aboriginal artwork at Anbangbang Rock Shelter. Delve into stories of Nabulwinjbulwinj and Namarrgon depicted in the captivating art. The next two nights are spent at the beautiful outback resort of Cooinda Lodge beside Yellow Water Billabong. This wonderful lodge features a swimming pool and modern air-conditioned rooms with ensuite.
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Breakfast. Tonight, we enjoy true outdoor Australian alfresco dining experience. Enjoy a wonderful menu featuring wonderful local produce such as barramundi and crocodile.
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Accommodation.
Day 4
Darwin
Hiking at Kakadu National Park. Jim Jim Falls walking: Enjoy an early breakfast then we head out by 4WD to experience the remote and spectacular Jim Jim Falls, the crown of Kakadu National Park. Our walk is to the spectacular Jim Jim Falls gorge and plunge pools. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the river where you will see views of the Jim Jim Falls gorge, you can relax here taking in the amazing views down the gorge or continue on. For those that wish to swim in the plunge pools at the base of the falls, the second half of the walk requires scrambling and rock hopping and requires a good amount of agility. Please note: Today’s touring is subject to the opening of Jim Jim Falls. If for any reason these areas aren’t open alternative locations will be substituted.
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Leisure at Kakadu National Park. Leisure time at the beach: The closer you get to the end of the gorge the more impressive it becomes and worth the effort to get there. Sit down and relax on the sandy white beach, take in your amazing surroundings and the pretty plunge pool surrounded by enormous vertical cliffs and after all that rock scrambling definitely go for a swim. We also have the option to walk to the top of the escarpment overlooking Jim Jim Falls for magnificent views. Afterwards, enjoy the drive back to Cooinda taking in spectacular vistas of the Arnhemland Escarpment.
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Boating at Kakadu National Park. In the afternoon we enjoy a billabong cruise on Yellow Waters to see the amazing array of birdlife.
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Breakfast. Tonight enjoy a relaxing outdoor dinner in the lodge restaurant.
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Accommodation.
Day 5
Darwin
Eco Tour at Kakadu National Park. Southern part of Kakadu National Park: After breakfast, we set off to explore the Mary River region in the southern part of Kakadu National Park to walk. Today we enjoy a series of short walks with a refreshing waterhole swim the reward for each walk. The first of our walks take us to Maguk previously known as Barramundi Gorge an awesome gorge with a big plunge pool. The walk follows Barramundi Creek through monsoon forests with lush thick vegetation and interesting plants, birds and lizards to admire. Here we will walk to the head of the falls for magnificent views, the pool at the top of the falls is flanked by tall vertical cliffs then head on down to the plunge pools for a relaxing swim to cool off. Afterwards we head to Motor Car Falls. Surrounded by forest this small waterfall remains one of Kakadu’s hidden gems and is a favourite in the tropical summer when Kakadu’s larger falls tend to be inaccessible. Although it’s a bit of a trek at 7.5 kms return, it’s well worth the effort. Especially if you want to sit under the spray of the waterfall by swimming across the pristine pool. We may even see wallaroos along the way! Afterwards, we head to Katherine. For the next 2 nights, we stay at Nitmiluk Cabins situated a short stroll to Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge).
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Breakfast. Tonight enjoy dinner in a local restaurant served with wine.
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Accommodation.
Day 6
Darwin
Eco Tour at Nitmiluk National Park. Nitmiluk National Park Walk: After breakfast, we head to Nitmiluk National Park. Nitmiluk to the south of Kakadu National Park has its own appeal and beauty and is endowed with features not found in its larger and more renowned neighbour. The major attraction in this area is Katherine Gorge which has been cut over centuries into the sandstone of the Arnhem Land escarpment by the Katherine River. We start our day with a walk to Butterfly Gorge and follow the gorge rim which showcases stunning views of rocky escarpments and shady valleys with rainforest and refreshing swimming holes. We visit pretty Butterfly Gorge a shaded side gorge frequented by black and white butterflies before returning.
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Boating at Nitmiluk National Park. Cruise ride to Nimiluk Cabins: Later we return to Nimiluk Cabins with the remainder of the day at leisure before we enjoy a celebratory sunset cruise up the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) gorge
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Breakfast. Three -course dinner featuring fresh, local Australian produce cooked by one of the chefs on board, accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine.
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Accommodation.
Day 7
Darwin
Hiking at Edith Falls. Edith Falls (Leilyn) Walk: On our final day, we enjoy breakfast and head towards the northwestern part of Nitmiluk National Park to explore beautiful Edith Falls (Leilyn) a series of cascading waterfalls and plunge pools where the Edith River descends the Arnhem Land escarpment. Our walk begins with a climb into escarpment country through bushlands of spinifex and grevillea listening out for the calls of the local birds. Once at the top dramatic views can be seen of the spectacular Upper Pool. This is a wonderful place has a stunning waterfall and swimming hole and is the perfect place to cool off after a walk. We will spend time here sitting under the waterfall and soaking up the dramatic scenery. Note: due to warmer weather in the Territory our guides will determine the best walking experiences for the day. Early morning starts will mean we will walk in the cooler part of the day. Some days include several short walks. Most walks include a swim to cool off during the walks. Floating devices are available for our guests to use when cooling off.
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Breakfast.
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Afterwards, we return to Darwin the end of a wonderful journey. FINISH TIME: Arrive at Darwin at approximately 8.30pm. Thanks for traveling with us!
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
Pack Free Walk – Carry only a day pack Wildlife cruise Yellow Waters Billabong Sunset cruise with 3-course dinner and sparkling wine in Nitmiluk National Park 4WD tour and walk to Jim Jim Falls* Walk all 4 regions of Kakadu National Park – you won’t miss the best! Walk 2 regions of Nitmiluk National Park Walk Litchfield National Park Guide Transfers to/from Darwin to Kakadu in our 4WD bus National Park Fees
Not Included
Tips and gratuities
What to Bring
Hiking shoes Comfortable clothes
Meeting & Pickup
SUGGESTED PRE-TOUR ACCOMMODATION: We suggest the Novotel Darwin CBD next door ideally located on the esplanade overlooking Darwin Harbour.
Languages Offered
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Optional Add-ons
SOLO TRAVELLERS WANTING THEIR OWN ROOM - 1120.00 Per Person
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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