Best of the Top End & Kakadu

Welcome to Northern Australia! Your adventure begins in Darwin (Gulumerrdgen in the language of the local Larrakia people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Darwin is now located) with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, take some time to explore at your own pace – maybe visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory or take a dip in the Darwin City Lagoon – a protected bay with a net that keeps crocodiles and other unwelcome creatures out. After the meeting, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner and get to know your fellow travellers, before an early start tomorrow morning.

This morning, travel into Litchfield National Park. Situated on a huge sandstone plateau, the park is home to waterfalls, secret swimming spots and towering rocky pillars. Your first stop will be Wangi Falls, where you can take a short loop walk or plunge into the natural pool. Then, it’s off to Tolmer Falls and Florence Falls. Hidden among monsoon forest, you'll stop for a picnic lunch next to a bubbling creek. Continue to Litchfield’s Magnetic Termite Mounds – these 100-year-old natural sculptures are distinctive to the northern parts of Australia. Later, continue back to Darwin where you’ll stay tonight.

After breakfast, drive towards Kakadu National Park – covering an enormous 20,000 sq km, the park is a world of its own. Along the way, stop at the Mamukala Wetlands and see if you can spot the wetland birds, before continuing to Ubirr – one of Kakadu's rock art gems, where you’ll learn more about the local First Nations history and hear stories from your leader. This afternoon, hop aboard a cruise up the East Alligator River (despite the name, you won’t see any alligators – this is crocodile country) and take in the surrounding wilderness of this UNESCO World Heritage landscape. As you float along the river, hear about the cultural significance of the landscape, and the plants and animals that live here from an Aboriginal guide. Later, travel to your accommodation in Kakadu. Tonight, join your group for dinner to celebrate the last night of your trip through Australia’s Top End.

Your final morning at Kakadu National Park starts with a drive to a local cultural arts centre at Jim Jim Creek. Here, depending on availability, you might take part in a cultural weaving class, where you’ll learn the craft and hear stories about the significance of weaving in the local culture. After lunch, continue to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) – a region known for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed rock art created by the Bininj people. When you arrive, set off on one of the various short walks, each offering a different perspective on the wildlife, art and natural features of the area. After, drive back to Darwin where your adventure will finish at around 5.30 pm. If you’d like to extend your stay in Darwin, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.