5 Day Litchfield, Katherine, Kakadu and Arnhem Land Private Charter

Depart your Darwin accommodation at 08.00am for the beginning of your 5-day Top
End safari. Our destination today is Litchfield National Park. Located just over an hour south of Darwin.

Litchfield comprises of a central sandstone plateau which supports rich woodland flora communities. Patches of monsoon rainforest thrive in the deep, narrow gorges and wildlife such as wallabies and birds flourish in the Park.

This morning we will enter Litchfield via the Finniss River dirt track and stop at Wangi Falls for a swim. We’ll next hike into Cascades before visiting two of Litchfield’s most famous waterholes, Buley Rockhole and Florence Falls. Here you will have the opportunity to swim and also snorkel in the crystal clear pool below Florence Falls and relax in the cascading pools at Buleys.

After a picnic lunch we will visit the Magnetic Termite Mounds. These gigantic termite mounds stand up to 2m tall, having been erected in a north-south orientation which acts as a built in temperature control. These ‘tombstone’ like structures make the area look eerily like a giant cemetery.

Finally, today, we will travel to Tolmer Falls. The caves near Tolmer Falls are home to the rare Orange Horseshoe and Ghost Bats. Here your guide will show you a secret swimming spot.

Late-afternoon we’ll travel towards Batchelor and our accommodation for the night.

Overnight: Litchfield Tourist Park (cabin)

Today our destination is Katherine Gorge, en route we’ll stop at Edith Falls in the Nitmiluk National Park. The sandstone and riverine communities of Edith Falls
provide a habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Once we reach Edith Falls, we’ll embark on the 2.7km loop walk to the top of the falls which offers great swimming with spectacular views.

Next, we’ll continue on to Katherine and visit Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts &
Culture Centre where you can learn more about the art and culture of the region.

Our final stop today will be for a dip at Katherine Hot Springs.

Continue on late afternoon to Katherine Gorge within the Nitmiluk National Park. Here you can relax in your luxury accommodation.

Overnight: Cicada Lodge (lodge room)

At 9am this morning we will join a 2hr Gorge Cruise on the spectacular Katherine Gorge. Sit back and relax as the tranquil surroundings transport you into a spiritual world of the Jawoyn culture and history. Discover the stories and ways of the Jawoyn people against the magnificent backdrop of the Nitmiluk Gorge.

Next, we will make our way to the world heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Covering almost 20,000 square km of exceptional natural beauty and unique biodiversity, Kakadu is one of very few places World Heritage listed for both its cultural and its natural values. Kakadu is home to the Bininj and Mungguy Aboriginal people who have inhabited this area for thousands of years.

Our first stop in Kakadu will be Moline Rockhole, a special permit area in which only a few select operators are permitted to access; guaranteeing minimal crowds. The small waterfall and waterhole below the falls is a great place to cool down and relax.Here your guide will give you a pair of snorkels so you can explore the underwater world, home to a variety of species such as fish and turtle.

After departing Moline mid-afternoon we’ll travel into Gunlom Falls, another great swimming hole. A 15 minute climb to the rock pools above the falls takes us up to a naturally occurring ‘infinity pool’ with sweeping views across the bushland of Kakadu.

Continue north along the Kakadu Highway to our accommodation for the next 2 nights at Cooinda.

Overnight: Cooinda Lodge (lodge room)

First up this morning we will join a 2hr sunrise cruise on the famous Yellow Water Billabong. On this picturesque waterway you will have the opportunity to view a large variety of birdlife as well as saltwater crocodiles in their natural environment. Learn more about the wildlife on the billabong from your knowledgeable guides who will make the cruise both fascinating and informative.

Continue north along the Kakadu Highway to the Bowali Visitor and Information
Centre. Bowali provides visitors with a wealth of information and displays about the Park, it’s habitats and Indigenous culture.

Next, we’ll travel to Jabiru Airstrip. One of the best ways to see Kakadu at this time of year is by light plane! Upon boarding your 1hr flight you will travel over many different and spectacular landscapes along the Arnhem Land escarpment and see various river systems, billabongs and two of Kakadu’s most famous waterfalls Jim Jim and Twin Falls.

After a picnic lunch we’ll then visit Nourlangie Rock, an area home to various
Aboriginal rock art and occupation sites. Aboriginal people have inhabited this area for twenty thousand years, sheltering under Nourlangie Rock and utilising the natural resources around them. The results of this occupation can still clearly be seen and understood today with the various rock paintings of animals, people and spirits. Your guide will give detailed explanations of the stories behind the rock art and the surrounding area.

Then, for sunset we’ll travel to Nawurlandja Lookout. A short climb takes us up the sloping sandstone to provide views of the sun setting across Anbangbang Billabong, Nourlangie Rock and the Arnhem Land escarpment.

Overnight: Cooinda Lodge (lodge room)

Today we’ll travel to Cahill’s Crossing where the East Alligator River separates Kakadu from Arnhem Land. Arnhem Land comprises of vast amounts of Aboriginal owned land (approximately 100,000 square km) where many local people still practice their traditional ways. Access is strictly regulated through a permit system.

After crossing the river into Arnhem Land a 15 km scenic drive to Gunbalanya (also known as Oenpelli) Aboriginal community provides some of the best driving views in the Top End with floodplains covered in bird life and water lilies running up alongside the Arnhem Land escarpment.

Once reaching Gunbalanya our first stop is the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre where you have the opportunity to meet and see traditional local artists in action. This art centre has a reputation for producing fine quality Aboriginal works with many displayed in galleries around Australia and overseas.

Next, we will be joined by a local Aboriginal guide for a hike around the Injalak Hill rock art sites. A moderate climb takes us up into one of the most spectacular Aboriginal rock art sites in Australia. It’s here where we spend several hours exploring the many rock shelters which are covered in Aboriginal x-ray art dating back over 20,000 years. Relax under the shelters as your Indigenous guide shares and interprets the stories of their ancestors and helps you to understand the meaning behind this ancient tradition.

After travelling back into Kakadu for lunch see Ubirr Rock, one of Kakadu’s bestknown rock-art sites and featured in the movie Crocodile Dundee. A walk to the top of Ubirr offers great views across the Nadab floodplain into Arnhem Land.

Next, we will begin to make our way back towards Darwin, our last stop in Kakadu will be at the Mamukala Wetlands, home to a variety of bird species.

Arrive in at your Darwin accommodation at approximately 07.00pm.

End of Venture North service