Tropical Top End (Nov-Apr)

As this Short Break departs at 6.30am, accommodation will need to be pre-booked for the previous night.

Travel via Adelaide River and the Marrakai Plains deep into Kakadu National Park. Take a guided walk at Nourlangie Rock where your Driver Guide will lead you on a walk to view the rock art galleries. After lunch, join your local guide on a cruise of Yellow Water Billabong. Search for saltwater crocodiles and the colourful range of birdlife for which this region is renowned. Visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre to view the informative displays depicting the traditions of the Aboriginal people in Kakadu. There is the opportunity for an optional 50-minute scenic flight (own expense).

This morning join your Driver Guide to explore a Rock Art Site, where you’ll be shown through the ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries, believed to be 20,000 years old. A visit to the Bowali Visitor Centre is next, then it’s off to Corroboree Park Tavern for lunch. After lunch, we make our way to Adelaide River to join the Jumping Crocodile Cruise. Cruise the river and thrill as these awesome creatures launch themselves out of the water. After the Cruise, we visit Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre for view over the Marrakai Plains and a stop at Fogg Dam Nature Reserve before your return to Darwin.

Travel south through tropical country, passing former WWII airstrips. We make a short stop at the Adelaide River War Cemetery, a site dedicated to those killed in the air raids in Darwin in the 1940’s. Continue to Edith Falls, where there is time for a refreshing swim in the waterhole beneath the falls (conditions permitting). Enjoy lunch and a 2 hour scenic cruise through Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. Enjoy a brief tour of Katherine, the hub of the region’s cattle and farming industries. An evening stop is made at Adelaide River where you may purchase dinner (own expense). You may like to sample the famous ‘Barra and Chips’, before returning to Darwin.

Litchfield National Park contains several types of typical Top End habitats including lush monsoon forests, termite mounds, unusual rock formations, waterfalls and cascades. The park encloses much of the spectacular Tabletop Range, which is a wide sandstone plateau mostly surrounded by cliffs. During the green season four major waterfalls thunder from the cliffs to tropical rock pools many metres below. During the dry season, the waterfalls flow more gently, making the waterholes the perfect spot for a cool dip. The Park’s traditional owners are the Wagait Aboriginal people, many of whom live in the area.

We follow the Stuart Highway via the township of Batchelor to Litchfield National Park where we will visit the main falls. First stop is Florence Falls, where you have the opportunity for a scenic and interpretive bush and monsoon vine forest walk. There is also the chance for a swim by making your way down the stairs to the plunge pool below. Travel on to Tolmer Falls for a magnificent view of the water cascading down to the deep waterhole at the base of the falls. Finally we visit Wangi Falls, with its large crystal clear pool, another relaxing spot for a swim. On the way back to Darwin we make a stop in at Howard Spring Nature Park, where you will have the chance to feed the Barramundi & Turtles. A great day for taking many fascinating photos, including the amazing stand of termite mounds. Lunch is included today.

As this Short Break concludes at 8:30pm, you may like to pre-book accommodation for tonight.

 Please Note: In April & November-March, if weather conditions preclude access to the East Alligator region, alternative touring will be arranged on Day 2.

Planning to travel between May and October?
We have a dry season itinerary available: see tour DG45 (Overnight in Katherine instead of Darwin on Day 2)