Kakadu & Katherine 4WD & Kayak Trip Itinerary

Darwin

Darwin has evolved from its days as a laid back frontier town and while it still retains its relaxed charm, it has become a sophisticated city. Many visitors are surprised to find that Darwin has accommodation, eateries, clubs, pubs, museums, and other amenities that are equal to what you’ll find in the southern cities.

Darwin is nearer to Singapore than it is to Sydney, which gives you an idea of the sheer size of Australia. This multicultural, fast-developing city has a chilled-out feel and a beautiful climate.

While the architecture is modern and stylish, it's still very much a "frontier town" with a small-town feel.

Visit Crocosaurus Cove

After settling into your hotel it's time to meet the Top End's most unique inhabitants at Crocosaurus Cove. Armed with a VIP Pass, you can hold a baby crocodile, take part in feeding or simply watch some of the largest saltwater crocodiles in Australia as they interact with each other.

Later you can relax and see a movie at the outdoor Deckchair Cinema, catch the sunset over the Timor Sea, or try street food at the Mindil Beach Markets. You'll feel like a laid-back local in no time.

Accommodation: Darwin - 1 Night

Depart in the morning from your Darwin accommodation and head for the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. En route, join a morning cruise on the picturesque Corroboree Billabong.

Continue to the historical Bark Hut Inn for a refreshment stop before entering Kakadu. Enjoy a scenic 1km walk along the edge of Barramundi Creek to the base of Barramundi Falls, where you can stop for a swim or snorkel in the large plunge pool below the falls and discover an array of aquatic life.

Depart in the late afternoon for the incredible Nawalandja lookout, and after sunset, make your way to Jabiru and the Lake View Bush Bungalows, your accommodation for tonight.

Accommodation: Kakadu National Park - 1 Night 

After breakfast, travel from Jabiru to Cahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River and enter Arnhem Land. Enjoy a beautiful 15-kilometer drive to the Gunbalanya Aboriginal community, were you will visit the Injalak Arts and Craft Centre and have the opportunity to meet and watch traditional local artists in action before departing with our Aboriginal guide to be shown around the Injalak Hill art sites.

Spend the morning experiencing some of the best Aboriginal rock art in Australia before beginning the 3-4-hour journey back to the Cobourg Peninsula. Upon arrival at Venture North's camp you will be greeted by the resident camp hosts and served nibbles on the cliff top, relaxing as the sun sets over Port Essington before you make your way to the Venture North’s Cobourg Coastal Camp to spend the night.

Accommodation: Cobourg Coastal Camp - 3 Nights

Awake to the sound of birds and enjoy a special ‘Cobourg-style’ cooked breakfast, and then spend the day exploring the Northern Territory’s only Marine Park by boat. Stop in at the Victoria Settlement ruins before beginning a leisurely journey back to camp, stopping along the way to spot marine life and do some fishing.

Return to camp mid-afternoon to explore the nearby beaches and creek systems, try your luck at fishing or simply enjoy the solitude while reading a book from a hammock overlooking the ocean. Dine on some freshly caught seafood for dinner, and spend another night at the Venture North’s Cobourg Coastal Camp.

Spend the day exploring the eastern side of the Park aboard an exciting 4WD. Ride through the RAMSAR wetlands and paperbark swamps of Cobourg, and continue on via the northern beaches, commonly used as turtle nesting areas and covered in a wide range of shells.

After lunch, set off for some mud crab hunting using traditional Aboriginal methods, and then spend the afternoon at the Park’s Cultural and Information Centre before making your way back towards camp for another night at the Venture North’s Cobourg Coastal Camp.

Depart Cobourg early and sit back and enjoy the bush scenery of Arnhem Land as you make your way back to Kakadu National Park. After a few scenic stops along the way, enjoy lunch on the banks of the mighty East Alligator River, and then head out to Ubirr Rock to view some of Kakadu’s best Aboriginal rock art and to enjoy some spectacular views of the surrounding wetlands and stone country.

On your journey back to Darwin, stop in at the Mamukala wetlands, a haven for thousands of Magpie Geese as well as many other species of native birds and reptiles, and arrive back in Darwin at approximately 19:00.

Accommodation: Darwin - 2 Nights

Enjoy the city of Darwin and all it has to offer. You have free time to spend it how you like!

• Visit Crocosaurus Cove for a chance to hold a crocodile.
• Explore Cullen Bay Marina or cruise the Adelaide River 
• 45-Minute Darwin Harbor Sightseeing Cruise
• Adelaide River Half-Day Jumping Crocs Cruise
• Darwin Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
• Relax at the Darwin Waterfront Precinct
• Experience Aboriginal culture on the Tiwi Islands
• Cruise Darwin Harbour at sunset

Nitmiluk

Also known as Katherine Gorge, the 13 gorges of Nitmiluk are hugely significant to their traditional owners, the Jawoyn people, as home to the spirits of creation. This ancient sandstone gorge system conceals many Aboriginal rock art paintings, some of which are thousands of years old.

Accommodation: Katherine (Nitmiluc) - 1 Night

Comfortable 'down stream' Touring

Day 1  You will be met at your Katherine accommodation between 7-7:30 am (0700-0730). You will then be transferred in a 4WD vehicle to Gecko premises, where you will pack your personal effects required for the tour into waterproof bags. You will be fitted with Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) a requirement, to be worn whilst on the river.

You will then be transferred to the Katherine River in a 4WD vehicle, sometimes over un-made roads and tracks. A safety brief and paddling instructions for kayaking and canoeing will be given before entering the water. At a relaxing rate, there will be stops along the river for a morning break, lunch, swim, and time to view the diverse river environment, bird, and wildlife. At approximately 4pm (1600) you will step ashore for an overnight remote camping experience (no set campsites). There will be time to relax; fish or read all whilst your guide prepares the evening meal. After a campfire meal, enjoyed with your favourite bottle of wine or spirit, sleep in a bed-roll (swag) under a blanket of stars.

Day 2  Wake to a dawn chorus in the brisk morning air. There is time for an early morning swim. After a hearty cooked breakfast, we pack-up camp and continue paddling down-stream. As we get further from immediate civilisation, the feel of remoteness sets in. The river continues to change from shady paperbark forests to lush pandanus channels, through open sections, surrounded by the river woods and over some small sparkling rapids which are fun and easy to negotiate. At the end of this satisfying day, you will find yourself in a bit of a routine and will have camp set-up quickly. Leaving yourself enough time to explore, relax, chat , check-out some animal tracks or just ‘find yourself’.

Day 3  After a sumptuous breakfast, we will pack up camp for the last time (you will now know where everything goes), we will return to the kayaks for one last relaxing day. You will be ‘tuned in’ to all the sights and sounds around you and will find yourself exhilarated by every experience, enjoy it while the moment lasts. At approximately 2:30pm (14:30) you will be picked up from the river and transferred in a 4WD back to Gecko premises to collect your belongings.

You will then be transferred to your Katherine accommodation. Tour end 5:30pm approximately.

Say farewell to Darwin today as you board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional Australian experience. We know you will enjoy your vacation and we hope you will return soon to discover even more highlights of this incredible continent.