Day 1: Darwin
Welcome to Darwin! Upon arrival to the airport you will be met by a driver who will transfer you to your hotel in the city. Check in and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Darwin has a relaxed outdoor lifestyle and enjoys warm weather all year round. Perched on a peninsula with sea on three sides, Darwin is an excellent base to explore the natural attractions of World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks, the Tiwi Islands and Arnhem Land. Darwin’s colourful history has contributed to its cultural diversity - more than 50 nationalities make up its 100,000 population, including the area's traditional landowners, the Larrakia Aboriginal people. The cultural and culinary benefits of such a melting pot are best experienced at Darwin's weekly markets, variety of restaurants and through the annual calendar of festivals and other events.
Day 2: Darwin sightseeing
This morning you will be picked up for a Darwin City Sights tour. This 4.5 hour city sights tour is the perfect introduction to Darwin. See the lush Botanic Gardens and the Chinese Temple, which was re-built after it was totally demolished by Cyclone Tracy in 1974. Tour the historic sites of the city including the East Point Military Precinct. See the Stokes Hill Wharf area and the Mooring Basin. There is also time available to explore the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, whose collections encompass Aboriginal art, visual arts and Northern Territory history and natural sciences. At the completion of the tour you will be transferred to your Darwin accommodation.
In the afternoon, you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Stokes Hill Wharf, where you will board your vessel for your 2.5 hour cruise. With beautiful views of the Top End city, there is no better way experience Darwin's renowned sunsets than on board the 'Charles Darwin'. You'll enjoy a sumptuous, Territory-style buffet with fresh Australian seafood and local produce, served in air-conditioned surrounds. Commentary by crew will give you an insight into the Harbour's history, cultural significance, and biodiversity. This cruise is perfect way to experience the world-famous sunsets, followed by Darwin's skyline lit up at night. Upon arrival at the wharf you will be transferred by coach to your accommodation.
Day 3: Darwin to Kakadu National Park
Make your way to Hertz car rentals to pick up your hire vehicle and commence your drive to Kakadu National Park.
Drive takes around 3 hours non-stop driving, but there are plenty of interesting stops on the way. Stop in Humpy Doo at the Big Boxing Croc, which stands 13 metres high and wears a pair of red boxing gloves. At the Humpty Doo Hotel you will find the world’s biggest set of Water Buffalo horns above the bar and plenty of local characters.
Stop at The Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve (25 kms from the Stuart Highway intersection), a protected area consisting of a wetland area approximately 70 kms from Darwin. Boardwalks take you on different landscapes to observation platforms to view the large number of resident wading birds. The best time to experience the birdlife is from the end of March until the start of October. If time permits, enjoy a jumping crocodile cruise in Wak Wak (four cruises daily).
Continue along the Arnhem Highway towards Jabiru/Kakadu National Park. Stop at Mamukala Wetlands, a bird lovers paradise. This short walk allows you to see an astonishing variety of bird life from the observation platform nestled into the paperbarks. With large numbers of Magpie Geese, Kites, Combe-crested Jacanas, Cormorants, Willie Wagtails, Purple Swamp Hens, Finches and Kingfishers that congregate in this billabong, this makes for one of the best birdwatching areas in Kakadu.
Once you arrive to Jabiru, the main township in Kakadu NP, check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 4: Arnhemland Excursion
In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel for a full day excursion to Arnhemland.
This 8.25 hour tour provides you with the opportunity to meet Aboriginal artists at Injalak Arts & Crafts Centre in Oenpelli and experience the region's world famous landscapes, consisting of sandstone escarpment outcrops, rock art sites, forests, floodplains and billabongs with birdlife. There is time to watch Aboriginal people painting and to see the women weaving pandanus baskets. Travel into the Mikkinj valley with its stunning scenery of billabongs, wildlife & towering escarpment. Enjoy lunch beside the Inkiyu Billabong. At the completion of your tour, you will be transferred back to your Jabiru accommodation.
Day 5: Kakadu National Park
It’s a short drive today to your next accommodation in Kakadu, which gives you time to explore the region, or just relax around the pool at the lodge.
Day 6: Kakadu NP to Katherine Gorge
Enjoy an early morning 2 hour cruise followed by full breakfast.
This cruise will provide you with an intimate adventure tour that you will never forget. Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu's most famous wetland, is located at the end of Jim Jim Creek, a tributary of the South Alligator River. The river system, which is the largest in Kakadu, contains extensive wetlands that include river channels, floodplains and backwater swamps. About one third of Australia's bird species are represented in Kakadu National Park, with at least 60 species found in the wetlands. The guides on the cruise run a competition between themselves on who can find "the big five" on one cruise - all five species of kingfisher that can be found in Kakadu. There are plenty of crocodiles in their natural habitat and buffalo on the floodplains. A huge Jabiru's nest is nearby, and depending on the season, Brolgas can be found dancing.
After the cruise continue your drive towards Katherine. Katherine is the gateway to sixteen national parks, nature parks, reserves and conservation parks including Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk National Park). If time permits, take a refreshing dip in the Katherine Hot Springs – a series of clear pools fed by a natural thermal spring located on the banks of the Katherine River.
Day 7: Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk National Park)
In the morning you will get to explore 2 gorges from the 2 hour cultural cruise. Prior to departure of the cruise enjoy some tea and coffee with breakfast snack.
This 2 hour cruise will allow passengers to discover the unspoiled beauty of the morning - a truly memorable start to the day and a photographer’s dream. The colours of the early morning awaken as you emerge into the first gorge. See the mist rising above the smooth water’s surface, hear the wildlife stirring from the night and breathe the crisp clean air.
The reminder of your day is at leisure.
Day 8: Katherine Gorge to Batchelor
Travel north on the Stuart Highway to Pine Creek, a small town that experienced a rush for gold in 1871. Continue travelling north along the Stuart Highway to Adelaide River. The township is the only site of an Australian War Cemetery on Australian soil. During the Second World War, Adelaide River was the headquarters of a large base and the Adelaide River War Cemetery was created especially for the burial of the servicemen and women who did in this part of Australia. The War Cemetery contains 432 servicemen and 63 civilians.
Continue travelling north along the Stuart Highway through Adelaide River and Coomalie Creek before arriving at your accommodation in Batchelor.
Day 9: Return to Darwin
Today you will return your rental vehicle to the airport, allowing plenty of time to connect with your departing flight.
