Kakadu Explorer

Begin your journey with an early morning pick-up from your Darwin accommodation between 7:00 and 7:30 am. Travel southeast toward Kakadu National Park, stopping en route to meet Wulna Aboriginal elders for a traditional Welcome to Country. Share morning tea and damper, and take time to walk by the billabong or learn about local culture and stories.

After lunch, explore one of Kakadu’s most iconic sites, Ubirr Rock. Follow a stunning trail past ancient rock art galleries, then climb to the top of Ubirr for panoramic views across the floodplains of northern Kakadu and into Arnhem Land. By late afternoon, travel deeper into the park and arrive at Djarradjin Billabong camp. Choose your tent, freshen up with a hot shower, and gather around the campfire for a relaxed evening and a hearty meal under the stars.

Walking Distance: 3 km / 1.86 miles
Driving Time: Approx. 6 hours (spread throughout the day)
Note: Arrive in Darwin the day before your trip and attend the 3:00 pm pre-trip briefing.

Start the day with a wholesome breakfast before heading out for a short drive to the Nourlangie massif. Begin your walk through ancient stone country, taking in sweeping views from one of the spectacular lookouts on the Barrk and Nourlangie Circuit. Barrk is the local name for the black wallaroo, a shy, rock-dwelling relative of the kangaroo that lives in this rugged terrain.

Continue to Angbangbang for an optional walk around the billabong. This tranquil waterway teems with birdlife and offers a peaceful, scenic loop surrounded by escarpment cliffs and paperbark trees. In the late afternoon, cruise the Yellow Water Billabong, one of Kakadu’s best-known wetlands. Glide along in a flat-bottomed boat guided by a local wildlife expert. Watch for saltwater crocodiles, wallabies, brumbies, goannas, and an incredible range of bird species, from pelicans and cormorants to brolgas and the towering black-necked stork. Return to camp at Djarradjin Billabong for another night under the stars.

Walking Distance: 5–6 km / 3.1-3.6 miles
Driving Time: Approx. 2 hours (spread throughout the day)

Head south today to explore more of Kakadu’s hidden treasures. Your walk leads through lush monsoon forest to reach Maguk (Barramundi) Falls, a secluded plunge pool nestled beneath towering blonde quartzite cliffs. The trail winds past clear creeks and rock formations, opening into a stunning natural amphitheater perfect for a swim or quiet rest.

Keep watch for flashes of color and song: Rainbow Pittas darting through the undergrowth, Emerald Doves pacing the forest floor, and Spangled Drongos calling from overhead. Among the towering trees, look for the Anbinik, the largest tree species in Stone Country and an ancient presence in the landscape. In the evening, return to camp and unwind with pre-dinner nibbles and a hearty meal. As the sun sets across Kakadu once more, soak in the peace of the bush.

Walking Distance: 4 km / 2.48 miles
Driving Time: Approx. 2 hours (spread throughout the day)

Today’s journey takes you deep into Southern Kakadu’s Buladjang Country on foot. Spend the day exploring the remote Motor Car Creek Falls area, a pristine, lesser-known corner of the park. The trail, up to 11 km long, meanders through open woodland and monsoon rainforest, with the pace adjusted to accommodate the group and weather conditions.

Stroll past striking Salmon Gums, their smooth trunks glowing soft pink in the early light. As you move deeper into the forest, the air cools and the landscape shifts into dense, vibrant rainforest. The highlight awaits at the end of the trail: a crystal-clear waterhole fed by waterfalls, surrounded by ancient sandstone cliffs and sweeping views across the hills. By late afternoon, travel to your next camp, nestled near the iconic Jim Jim Falls, and settle in for the night under the stars.

Walking Distance: Up to 11 km / 6.83 miles
Driving Time: 4–5 hours (spread throughout the day)

Wake to the dawn chorus of birdlife echoing across the savannah and wetlands; your final full day in Kakadu focuses on exploring one of its most iconic landscapes. Depending on seasonal access and guidance from Traditional Owners and National Park Rangers, your guides will choose the best walk for the day. If access allows, head into the remote beauty of Jim Jim Falls. To get to the base of the tall cliffs and swim in the pristine rock pools below, trek farther than the average tourist can. While the powerful torrents seen in postcards belong to the wet season, the falls remain a striking sight even in their dry-season flow, quiet, gentle, and no less magnificent.

Your walk moves north to the Ubirr area if Jim Jim is closed. Explore Cahills Crossing and visit an alternative rock art site rich in cultural significance, with views across the floodplains. Return to camp in the afternoon and soak up your final night under the Kakadu sky.

Walking Distance: 2–3 km / 1.86 miles
Driving Time: Approx. 1.5 hours (spread throughout the day)
Note: Access to Jim Jim Falls typically starts in the middle of July.

After a final peaceful night at the semi-permanent camp near Jim Jim Falls, pack up and begin the journey back to Darwin. Along the way, stop at the Warradjan Cultural Centre, an essential experience that brings Kakadu’s Indigenous history and heritage to life. With its interactive exhibits, art displays, and storytelling spaces, Warradjan offers a deep and respectful insight into the lives of the Bininj/Mungguy people.

Afterwards, there’s time for an optional swim at Cooinda, perfect for a final refreshing dip before continuing north. Arrive in Darwin by around 4 pm and be dropped off at your accommodation. We hope you leave feeling connected to this unique, ancient landscape and its remarkable stories.

Approximate driving time: 5–6 hours (spread throughout the day)