Walk Kakadu National Park

Intrepid Travel · 8 days

4.1

5 Reviews

View Map

Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Demanding

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Take a drive along Nature’s Way in the Northern Territory – a round trip that takes in the best of the Top End.

Highlights

Explore the many wonders of Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield National Parks on foot, from beautiful walking trails to amazing lookouts.
Go further and visit remote and restricted rock art sites including Ubirr and Nourlangie with a local guide.
Cool off in some of the Northern Territory’s most beautiful waterholes, rivers and natural pools as you go swimming in the National Parks.
Enjoy several included picnic lunches in the best secret spots, known only to a handful of people including our experienced trip leaders.
Embark on a spectacular journey through Cahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River into Arnhem Land. With an experienced First Nations guide, you’ll learn about the Aboriginal culture and heritage of this area.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Private vehicle,Walking

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Darwin, Australia

Finishes

Litchfield National Park / Darwin, Australia

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Walking & Trekking

Physical Rating

Demanding

Itinerary

Day 1: Darwin

Welcome! Your adventure begins in Darwin (Gulumerrdgen in the language of the local Larrakia people, who are the Traditional Wwners of the land on which Darwin is now located). Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your leader and the rest of your group. If you arrive early, why not check out the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory or discover Australia’s war history at the World War II oil storage tunnels along the waterfront. After the meeting, you’ll head to a local restaurant to get to know each other and celebrate the start of your adventure.

Accommodation:

Resort (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Kakadu National Park / Jabiru

After breakfast, set off on the drive to Mamukala Wetlands in the UNESCO World heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, where water pythons, birds, crocodiles, turtles and other wildlife can be spotted. From here, drive to Ubirr – widely regarded as one of the world’s most outstanding rock art sites. Here, you’ll embark on a walk to discover the different rock art galleries and learn about the incredible history of this area. After you’ve checked out the fascinating paintings, which include depictions of some of the first interactions with non-Aboriginal people, head to Jabiru and check into your comfortable motel for the next few nights.

Included Activities:

Kakadu National Park – Ubirr walk
Kakadu National Park - Mamukala Wetlands

Accommodation:

Basic Resort with Shared Facilities (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Arnhem Land / Jabiru

After breakfast, embark on a journey through Cahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River into Arnhem Land with Traditional Owners. Here, you’ll spend the day with an experienced First Nations guide leading the way and discover the Australian outback from 4WD buses in Mikkinj Valley and beyond. See rock art sites, sandstone gorges, forests, flood plains and an abundance of birdlife, whilst learning about the Aboriginal culture and heritage of this area. Enjoy some time by the water, then grab a bite to eat at Inkiyu Billabong.

Included Activities:

Arnhem Land - Arnhemlander Cultural & Heritage 4WD tour

Accommodation:

Basic Resort with Shared Facilities (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Kakadu National Park / Jabiru

Kakadu National Park has one of the world’s highest concentrated areas of rock art and today, you’ll drive to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock) and walk to the famous painting of Namarrgon – the lightning man, who is said to control the wet season lightning storms. You’ll also view the rest of the site, which is reminiscent of a traditional art gallery with multiple rooms (caves) featuring different styles of art. Next up is the Nanguluwurr art site. Walk through woodlands leading to a quiet art site with more fascinating paintings.

Included Activities:

Kakadu National Park - Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site

Accommodation:

Basic Resort with Shared Facilities (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Kakadu National Park / Mataranka / Katherine

Today, you can enjoy a day off from walking as you make the long drive south. After breakfast, sit back and relax as you embark on the drive to Mataranka Thermal Pools, stopping in Pine Creek along the way. When you arrive, take a quick soak in the pools and relax the muscles. Then head to Katherine – your home for the next three nights.

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Nitmiluk National Park / Katherine

Drive to the northern section of Nitmiluk National Park to Leliyn (Edith Falls). The falls are the last stop along the Jatbula trail, which begins 62 km away in Katherine Gorge. Today, walk part of the trail along a sandy path to Sweetwater Pool, where rich red rocks frame the waterhole. Along the way, there will be plenty of smaller natural pools to take a quick dip in. Then, on the walk back, you’ll stop at the Upper Pools of Leliyn for one final dip to cool off before the drive to Katherine.

Included Activities:

Nitmiluk National Park - Leliyn (Edith Falls) Upper Circuit Walk & Swim
Nitmiluk National Park - Jatbula Trail (Leliyn to Sweetwater Pool)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Nitmiluk National Park / Katherine

Drive to the southern section of Nitmiluk today to Katherine Gorge. Depending on the temperature, your local guide will offer a selection of walks of varying difficulty and length (6 to 12 km). Take your time to discover Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, which was created as the Katherine River carved its way through ancient sandstone cliffs more than 20 million years ago. You’ll notice the natural horizontal bands defining the cliffs that were created by layer upon layer of sediments. After a full day exploring all that Katherine Gorge has to offer, make your way back to Katherine for the evening.

Included Activities:

Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge walks

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Litchfield National Park / Darwin

After breakfast, drive to Litchfield National Park where waterfalls cascade from escarpments into plunge pools and there are deep prehistoric-looking forests. During the wet season, four major waterfalls thunder from the cliffs into rock pools and in the dry season, the waterfalls flow more gently, making the waterholes perfect for swimming. Stop by the Magnetic Termite Mounds, then head out on a walk determined by your local guide. See stunning waterfalls and billabongs along the way, then drive to Darwin where your trip comes to an end. No accommodation is provided tonight but if you would like to spend more time here, just speak to your booking agent to book additional accommodation.

Included Activities:

Litchfield National Park - Magnetic Termite Mounds
Litchfield National Park - Day walks

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $4,860

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Demanding

Take a drive along Nature’s Way in the Northern Territory – a round trip that takes in the best of the Top End.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 12 Jun 2026

View Map

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

Alastair

Traveled, July 2023

08/09/2023

Gosh, please extract anything Ive said above

4.5

Cliona

Traveled, July 2023

07/17/2023

I had the best time ever on this tour. Our guides, Sean and Miguel were so knowledgeable. Everything was made seamless by them and nothing was too much trouble. Food was included and Sean nailed it every day with the most delicious lunches. Accommodation was terrific and the group was such good fun! Thanks everyone for making a good tour great.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

Book Now