9 Days Timeless North Nature Tour in Australia
Panoramic Walking Nature Tour Australia
Kakadu National Park offers hikers stunning vistas, unique landforms, abundant wildlife, and outstanding Aboriginal rock art. Cruising the along the Arnhem Land border and waters chock-full of crocodiles is another exciting highlight. In Nitmiluk National Park, the walking takes you to rugged gorges and remote swimming holes via the rim of Katherine Gorge, including the Jatbula Trail. Then there is the beautiful Mataranka Falls where two rivers meet in watery unison. The stunning Litchfield National Park is the grand finale and a dozen huge waterfalls that plummet down impressive escarpments.
KEY INFORMATION
- With a guide
- Type of transportation: Bus
- Starts in: Kakadu
- Ends in: Berry Springs
HIGHLIGHTS
- Awesome walking tour
- Cruise along East Alligator River
- Follow cultural trails in a flexible pace
- Visit Mataranka, Litchfield, Kakadu, and more
- Delectable chef-prepared daily meals
- Services of experienced guides
- 8 nights accommodation
- National park entries
SKILL LEVEL
- Beginner
- Intermediate
9 activity days in English
Spoken languages: English
Airport transfer included: Darwin International Airport
Accommodation
During this tour, accommodations are comfortable and full of character, complementing the surroundings. In the remote Top End, the accommodations are in memorable locations. More importantly, they provide a great place to relax after a day on the track. All the rooms have en-suites.
For the pre and post tour accommodations, there are many good hotels in Darwin. However, Auswalk Walking Holidays picks up and drops off from one central hotel, the Mantra on the Esplanade, 88 The Esplanade, Darwin. Auswalk Walking Holidays makes every effort to match solo walkers of the same gender up to twin share on group guided departures.
Unfortunately, that is not always possible. If you are a solo walker who is willing to twin share, then, you are required to book with the single supplement included on your booking. The team will endeavor to match you up with another solo walker. If successful, the single supplement will be removed from your final balance owing.
Australian hotel accommodations charge the same, or just about the same price, regardless of whether there is one or two people in the room. That means that to cover the cost of the accommodation for your trip, Auswalk Walking Holidays needs to pass on a single supplement surcharge.
That is not a cost that they make any margin on and it is simply to cover the fact that the total room cost is not being apportioned over two walkers. Auswalk always sets out to select accommodations where walkers have their own private en-suite bathrooms at night. Exceptions are made when you stay at unique locations that add to your experience.
Get comfortable at Anbinik Kakadu Resort on nights one and two.
Relax at Pine Railway Resort Creek on night three.
Unwind at Knotts Crossing Resort on nights four, five, and six.
Have a well-earned rest at either Butterfly Farm or Rum Jungle Bungalows on nights seven and eight.
Program
DAY 1: ARRIVAL DAY AND KAKADU (EASY / 7 KILOMETERS / 3 HOURS)
You will start in Darwin at 07:50 a.m. or Darwin International Airport (DRW) at 08:00 a.m. A fabulous introduction to Kakadu’s wetlands will begin with your first walk at Fogg Dam, experiencing the wonderful diversity of birdlife in the Top End. Next, it will be on to the Kakadu World Heritage Area, Mamukala, for an afternoon passing spiring termite mounds, swaying palms trees, and savannah country.
No Kakadu tour is complete without a stop at the much-publicized Ranger Uranium Mine. Meals include lunch and a two-course, chef-prepared dinner at a resort or local restaurant. You will stay at Anbinik Kakadu Resort with en-suite rooms.
DAY 2: KAKADU (EASY TO MODERATE / 9 KILOMETERS / 4 HOURS / EASIER OPTION AVAILABLE)
The Kakadu tour will continue on day two with a cruise on the East Alligator River, one of the great northern rivers that form a boundary with Arnhem Land. The tour is 100 percent Aboriginal-owned and operated. You will learn about traditional survival skills and see a lot of wildlife including the famed crocodiles.
There will also be an opportunity to get off the boat and spend some time in Arnhem Land. You will then drop by Ubirr to tackle a short one-kilometer circuit showcasing several fascinating Aboriginal rock art sites. There will also be an optional rock scramble to a lookout for expansive views over the Nadab floodplain.
After lunch, you will enjoy the Manngaree Rainforest and Bardedjilidji Walk which will begin with a monsoon rainforest circuit and then continue along the banks of the East Alligator River. Breakfast will be at the resort restaurant. Walkers lunch will be provided as well as a barbecue dinner under the stars. Accommodation will be at Anbinik Kakadu Resort with en-suite rooms.
DAY 3: KAKADU TO PINE CREEK (MODERATE / 14 KILOMETERS / 6 HOURS / EASIER OPTION AVAILABLE)
The final Kakadu walk will be in the Nourlangie Rock area, beginning with some stunning Aboriginal art sites. You will then continue on the challenging Barrk Walk through remote sandstone country. The hike will offer spectacular views of the Kakadu escarpment, culminating in a visit to the Nanguluwur Gallery art site, far away from the tourist crowds.
Wrapping up the day, you will head south to the historic Pine Creek to spend the night. Meals include breakfast at the resort restaurant, walkers lunch, and a chef-prepared a la carte, two-course dinner at the resort restaurant. The accommodation will be at Pine Railway Resort Creek with en-suite rooms.
DAY 4: NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK (MODERATE / 15 KILOMETERS / 5 TO 6 HOURS / SHORTER 11 KILOMETER OPTION AVAILABLE)
After a one-hour drive south, you will spend the day in the Edith Falls section of Nitmiluk National Park in Katherine Gorge. The more challenging walk option will be on a section of the long distance Jatbula Trail to Sweetwater Pool.
The trail follows the route traveled by generations of the Jawoyn Aboriginal people to access the escarpment country. A shorter option to the halfway point of Long Hole Pool will also be offered. There are a couple of excellent swimming options in the pristine river on day four. At the end of the walk, there is a series of large swimming holes with the impressive Edith Falls plummeting into the refreshing waters.
Bring your swimming goggles. There is a whole bunch of interesting life to explore underwater. Meals include a cooked breakfast in the restaurant, walkers lunch, and a la carte two-course dinner at a local restaurant. The accommodation will be at Knotts Crossing Resort, Katherine with en-suite rooms.
DAY 5: MATARANKA (EASY / 10 KILOMETERS / 4 TO 5 HOURS / SHORTER WALK AVAILABLE)
You will head south for the day to the Mataranka area for a fabulous walk to Mataranka Falls, one of the all-time favorites. Two large rivers meet there. You will see waterfalls and picture-perfect pools for you to swim in. The fabulous day will culminate with the amazing Bitter Springs where you can float downstream in a warm, crystal-clear stream. Meals include a chef-prepared cooked breakfast, walkers lunch, and dinner under the stars at a bush tucker camp. The accommodation will be at Knotts Crossing Resort with en-suite rooms.
DAY 6: KATHERINE GORGE (MODERATE TO CHALLENGING / 20 KILOMETERS / 8 HOURS / SHORTER OPTION AVAILABLE)
You will spend the day in the Katherine Gorge section of Nitmiluk National Park. The chosen route parallels the mighty river, dropping down to the banks for a refreshing swim. A more challenging walk option includes the Baruwei Walk, Butterfly Gorge, and Southern waterhole. An easier option is available.
Depending on your preference, you can cruise along the river, go kayaking, or enjoy a helicopter trip to a remote section of the gorge, at your own expense. Meals include a chef-prepared cooked breakfast, walkers lunch, and a two-course dinner at a local restaurant. The accommodation will be at Knotts Crossing Resort, Katherine with en-suite rooms.
DAY 7: LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK (MODERATE / 7 KILOMETERS / 4 HOURS)
On day seven, you will head northwards to Litchfield National Park to see massive termite mounds and embark on two walks in the afternoon. The first is to a viewing point over Tjaetaba Falls. The second is to one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the park, Wangi Falls. There will be time for a swim in the delightful waterhole at the falls.
The water in the pools in Litchfield has an incredible clarity that makes swimming there a real highlight. Meals include a chef-prepared cooked breakfast, lunch, and a chef-prepared three-course dinner at a restaurant. The accommodation will be at Butterfly Farm or Rum Jungle Bungalows with en-suite rooms.
DAY 8: LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK (EASY / 11 KILOMETERS / 5 HOURS / SHORTER 7-KILOMETER WALK AVAILABLE)
You will have a choice of walks on day eight. The harder and longer option is a section of the long distance Tabletop Track from Walker Creek to Florence Falls. It is a remote and challenging walk. You will have the chance to dip in the pool below Florence Falls and it will be a welcome end to the hike. The easier option will include a visit to the historic Bamboo Creek Tin Mine.
You will journey for 1.5 kilometers at an easy pace. You will also visit a swamp area that has many water birds. Then there is a walk from Florence Falls to Buley Rockhole with plenty of time for swimming en-route. Meals provided are a chef-prepared cooked breakfast, walkers lunch, and chef-prepared three-course dinner at a restaurant. The accommodation will be at Butterfly Farm or Rum Jungle Bungalows with en-suite rooms.
DAY 9: BERRY SPRINGS TO DARWIN (EASY / 3 KILOMETERS / 1.5 HOURS)
For the final day, you will leave Litchfield and head for Berry Springs, en-route to Darwin. It is a crystal clear natural spring with a waterfall and excellent swimming in the warm spring water. There will be a short forest walk there too. You will then travel back to Darwin, arriving at about 01:30 p.m. You will be served with a chef-prepared cooked breakfast.
WALK GRADING
In the tour, every last detail will be taken care of so you can fully experience all the highlights of Australia’s Top End. With two outstanding guides looking after you, it will be easy to pace yourself with a choice of easier or harder walking options along the way. Knowledgeable of the Top End, including wildlife and the region, they can offer easier and harder walk options along the way.
The tracks are mostly graded and easy to negotiate. Full day walks average about 14 kilometers and are mostly flat but sometimes on rocky surfaces. There is an opportunity for fit walkers to challenge themselves on some of the days with rather lengthy walks of up to 20 kilometers. The track is generally well-graded and relatively easy to navigate.
The walking on the Kakadu tour section is moderate with one optional more challenging walk. In Katherine Gorge, the walking becomes a little more challenging with many of the tracks being rough and rocky. At Litchfield and Mataranka, the walking is easy to moderate, with a few optional challenging sections. All the hardest sections of the walking are scheduled for the mornings. For the most part, the walking reflects the regions laid-back attitude, as walkers can enjoy themselves at exploring places only accessed on foot.
Location
This tour will take place in Kakadu National Park, Fogg Dam, Mamukala, East Alligator River, Ubirr, Manngaree Rainforest, Bardedjilidji, Nourlangie Rock, Pine Creek, Nitmiluk National Park, Edith Falls, Katherine, Mataranka, Katherine Gorge, Litchfield National Park, Tjaetaba Falls, Wangi Falls, and Florence Falls in Australia.
Food
During this tour, the chef prepares breakfasts and dinners that make indulgent bookends to most days. On one evening, your guides will be out to impress with a barbecue dinner that will be enjoyed under the stars. Dinners include two to three-course a la carte meals prepared by chefs at restaurants, the one under the stars, prepared by your excellent guide, and the unique stockman’s camp tucker dinner. The food is contemporary but there is an opportunity to eat bush tucker, barramundi, and other Top End specialties.
Most days, you will wake to a cooked breakfast to ready yourself for the upcoming day’s walk. Lunch will be enjoyed at incredible locations along the track. The walkers lunches are comprehensive, ensuring that your appetite is always satisfied. Alcohol or drinks with meals are not included, except for tea or coffee and juice with breakfast. Please ensure that you make Auswalk Walking Holidays aware of any dietary requirements that you may have at the time of booking. They aim to cater for all requirements big or small.
You will not need to bring your own snacks for your holiday. Auswalk provides all the snacks that you should need on the track. Most people tell them that there was too much food on their trip! If you are a particularly big eater or have a favorite snack that you take on hikes, then, by all means, feel free to bring something along.
THE FOLLOWING MEALS ARE INCLUDED:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
THE FOLLOWING DRINKS ARE INCLUDED:
- Coffee
- Tea
THE FOLLOWING DIETARY REQUIREMENT(S) ARE SERVED AND/OR CATERED FOR:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
- Cruise along the river, go kayaking, or enjoy a helicopter trip
- Go swimming
- Join a rock scramble
- Spend more time in Arnhem Land
What's included
- Genuine all-inclusive pack free walking holiday
- A comprehensive walking tour of Katherine, Mataranka, Litchfield, and Kakadu
- All transport from Darwin including luggage transport
- 2 engaging, knowledgeable, and experienced guides
- 8 nights accommodation
- Daily meals including walkers lunches and chef-prepared two to three-course dinners
- National park admission
- Auswalk guide pack including notes, maps, a lunch bag, and container
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 60 days before arrival.
For more details, inbox the words " Tour in Australia " followed by your phone number.
For more details, inbox the words " Tour in Australia " followed by your phone number.
Call / WhatsApp : +255 716 43 2387 / +255 714 079625
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FB: Let's view Tanzania
IG: @Let_view_Tanzania
Twitter: @Let's view Tanzania
YouTube: Let's view Tanzania
Email: info@letviewtanzania.com /
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