7 Day Top End Parks & Arnhemland Camping Tour

Day 1 (L,D)

You will be collected from your accommodation at 7.30am this morning for your 7 day 4WD safari of the Top End National Parks and Arnhemland.

Today is spent exploring Litchfield National Park, which is around 1 ½ hours south of Darwin.

Enjoy swimming in the spring fed waterfalls at Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole, which is a series of small waterfalls that are a great place to simply sit and relax. Your guide will also lead a walk through the monsoon vineforest to the top of Wangi Falls.

View Tolmer Falls, which has several colonies of the rare Ghost and Orange Horseshoe Bats and visit the amazing magnetic termite mounds.

Overnight camp in Litchfield.

Day 2 (B,L,D)

This morning, we will make our way to Katherine Township, via historic Adelaide River and onto Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) . The park is home to 13 spectacular gorges, carved out of the rock by torrential summer rains, over millions of years.

Following lunch, you can either take a 4 hour cruise or spend the afternoon canoeing Nitmiluk Gorge.

There is some free time late this afternoon for you to take a walk into the gorge or enjoy an optional helicopter flight, which we can arrange for you (own expense).

Overnight camp at Nitmiluk Gorge.

Day 3 (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we will make our way north towards Kakadu National Park.

Today we spend the day enjoying Gunlom (waterfall Creek), where swimming is available in the plungepools and there is a beautiful beach. There is an optional hike to the top of Gunlom, where pristine rockpools and a fantastic view await you.

Finally, we make our way to the middle of the park and to Cooinda, where you board the Yellow Waters billabong sunset cruise, with it’s prolific birdlife and wonderful variety of plants. Estuarine crocodiles are often spotted here.

Overnight camp at Mardugal campground.

Day 4 (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we make our way along the Jim Jim road to Jim Jim and Twin Falls. The spectacular Jim Jim and Twin Falls are accessed via four-wheel drive down a sandy track.

A moderately difficult hike along Jim Jim Gorge leads to a large pool at the base of Jim Jim Falls. At nearby Twin Falls, take a boat cruise to the base of the Falls for some of the most stunning scenery in Kakadu.

Overnight camp at Mardugal campground.

Day 5 (B,L,D)

This morning our day will begin with a cooked breakfast and then we will have a look around the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

We head to Nawalandja lookout for spectacular views of the Arnhemland escarpment and then onto Anbangbang billabong for a picnic lunch.

Onto Nourlangie Rock for the afternoon and your guide will lead you on a walk with art site interpretations

Overnight accommodation in Jabiru-Lakeview Park, bush bungalows (due to the mosquito’s- it’s not recommended to camp in the north of the park).

Day 6 (B,L,D)

This morning we drive across the east alligator river at Cahills crossing and into Aboriginal owned Arnhemland and Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) community.

Nearby is the rugged Arnhem Land escarpment area of deep plunging gorges, huge boulders and wide overhanging rock platforms - 'Stone Country'. The Injalauk Art Centre is situated in the most beautiful of sites. The escarpment rises forebodingly to the east. Gunbalanya billabong at its rear is surrounded by open flood plains and overshadowed by Injalak Hill - a site extensively rich in rock art paintings and the source of much inspiration for the artists. We take a tour of the galleries here before returning to the art centre to watch the artists at work. You will also have the opportunity to buy art direct from the artists.  Enjoy an exclusive boat and lunch cruise up Inkiju billabong and access into Cannon Hill, a restricted area of Kakadu. Experience significant Aboriginal Rock Art sites, spectacular landscapes, wildlife, learn of traditional land management, bush and hunting skills.

Overnight accommodation in Jabiru-Lakeview Park, bush bungalows.

Day 7 (B,L)

This morning we will visit Ubirr Rock, with some outstanding examples of Aboriginal rock art and panoramic views over the Kakadu escarpment. Your guide will interpret the art sites for you.

A picnic lunch will be served on the banks of the East Alligator River.

Then it’s time to head back to Darwin. We visit Mamukala wetlands en route. The wetlands are a haven for birdlife and a mural in the hide depicts the different birds, helping to identify them.

After a comfort stop at the Bark Hut we continue to Fog Dam Nature Reserve. Built in the 1950’s to provide irrigation for a rice project, the wetlands now have international significance because of their beauty, natural systems and their importance to the local Limilngan-Wulna aboriginal people. A great variety of fauna can be found here throughout the year.

Onto Darwin and you will be dropped at your accommodation at approximately 6pm.

END ITINERARY

B = Breakfast / L = Lunch / D = Dinner

This tour is only operated as a private charter (sole use of vehicle and driver guide for a maximum of 7 passengers) and is valid for travel from July to October only due to seasonal conditions - please enquire for prices and further details.

Inclusions:

• Sole use of luxury 4WD with professional driver guide & purpose built heavy duty trailer
• All meals as stated
• Kakadu park entry tickets
• Camping fees & Equipment hire
• 2 hour sunset Yellow Waters Cruise
• ½ day canoe or 4 hour cruise at Katherine Gorge
• 2 nights at Lakeview Park Bush Bungalows
• Twin Falls boat fee
• Day into Arnhemland including Injaluk Hill tour, boat cruise and permits

Exclusions:

• Pre & Post tour accommodation
• Travel insurance