Day One:

This morning your driver will collect from your accommodation (8.00) before we begin making our way south for a short time on the Stuart Highway until we turn left on to the Arnhem Highway which leads to the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park. Our first stop en route is Fogg Dam Reserve, Fogg Dam has year round water coverage which assures its position as an important feeding and roosting site for a wide variety of both water birds and other animals. Next we travel onto the Adelaide River where we have the opportunity to witness the fabulous jumping crocodiles and other wildlife.  These Saltwater Crocodiles are a magnificent sight - these animals are surprisingly powerful as they can project their bodies almost totally out of the water - you will gain a good understanding of why they have survived for more then two hundred million years! This serves as a great introduction to how wild the Top End still is today.

A short detour off the highway is the beautiful Learning Tree Lagoon; this Billabong is often covered in water lilies making it a popular quick stop for photographers.

Lunch is at the Bark Hut Inn; this Aussie Roadhouse was built during the buffalo era and is a reminder of earlier, wilder times.

We will leave the main road to enter into Kakadu via the Old Darwin Road.  Our last stop for today is at Cooinda - here we will experience one of Kakadu's icons - a Yellow Water Cruise.  This 10sq. km pristine environment supports a truly wonderful variety of plants, birds, crocodiles and Top End wildlife. The wildlife on this pristine billabong is too numerous to mention, you may see saltwater crocodiles, a Jacana bird walking on water, the magnificent sea eagle or any one of the many other 280 species that call this billabong home.  Here we will witness at close hand the wealth of wildlife in this tranquil habitat and enjoy one of the Top Ends great sunsets.

Overnight: Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru (L)

Day Two:

Today we shall head to the Southern end of Kakadu, here we find a pristine water fall, Gunlom (Waterfall Creek). This area was immortalised in the first 'Crocodile Dundee' movie, its white sandy beach and 120 metre cascading waterfall (runs up to the end of July) is a great photo opportunity. A more challenging walk to the top of the waterfall is rewarded with a swim and the best view for miles around. Enjoy it while overlooking the beautiful South Alligator Valley.

Our next stop is Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). A one Kilometre walk through sub- monsoon rainforest leads to the base of a beautiful plunge pool: Maguk is a scenic and tranquil place to enjoy a refreshing swim in the series of small waterholes. The water is crystal clear.

Overnight: Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru. (B, L)

Day Three:

Today we visit Aboriginal Lands (Arnhem Land) access to this area is restricted to a select group of tour operators.

Visitors to Arnhem Land are able to experience a fascinating mixture of traditional and living culture. Arnhem Land is perhaps the one area in Australia where indigenous culture is still dominant, despite a long history of interaction with other cultures, for example the Macassens who visited the shores of Arnhem Land for more then five hundred years to harvest sea slug. They came by sailing boats from Indonesian Island of Sulawesi and left their legacy with the Aboriginal people.

Then the Europeans, their impact on Aboriginal people was more far reaching and profound. Arnhem Land today has weathered all the storms and it has managed to stay as a last frontier and homeland of around 20.000 people.

While we are in Arnhem Land a traditional Aboriginal guide will show you excellent examples of rock art on Injalak Hill (Long Tom Dreaming), this area has some of the best rock art examples in Western Arnhem Land and some say Australia. The view from the top of the hill is simply breathtaking, looking out across the floodplains and around the escarpment. When we farewell our Aboriginal guide back at the Injalak Art & Craft Centre there is an opportunity to browse or purchase goods from this non-profit Aboriginal organisation. At the award winning Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre there is time to watch the traditional Aboriginal people painting and to see the women weaving pandanus baskets. 

This afternoon we are privileged to have access into the valley, with its stunning scenery of billabongs, birds, escarpment this is truly a place where you can escape and experience this unique untouched haven of the Northern Territory. (Please note this tour requires a reasonable amount of balance and agility)

 Return to Darwin late evening. (B, L)

(Please note that Injalak Arts & Crafts centre is closed on Sundays)

Or

Day Four:

Today we visit two of Kakadu's icons - Jim Jim and Twin Falls. Both waterfalls are set in the magnificent Arnhem Land escarpment. This is a day of adventure for the more active traveller and access to these two magical areas is only available by 4WD.

Jim Jim gorge is a 900 metre walk over rocks through the sub-tropical rainforest. As we bushwalk, we take time to marvel at the inspiring 200 metre high cliffs towering on both sides of the walk. At the base of the falls we will enjoy a swim in the magnificent plunge pool. (Please note that the falls may finish flowing at the end of June.)   After a further 12km of 4WD, access to Twin Falls is a short stroll to the edge of the water then a boat cruise enabling us to relax and marvel at the changing hues of the Arnhem Land Escarpment. At the end of the cruise it is a short walk to the base of Twin Falls where we can enjoy the sandy beach and the shade of the Pandanus trees. Here we take time to better understand why theses places are important not only to us as visitors but to the Aboriginal people of Kakadu National Park. (Please note this tour requires a reasonable amount of balance and agility)

Inclusions:

- Luxury Toyota Air Conditioned GXL for three or four days with experienced local guide

- Jumping Crocodile Cruise

- Lunch at Bark Hut Inn

-Yellow water cruise (Can do a private cruise)

- Lunch each day

- Maguk

- Gunlom
- Jim Jim and Twin Falls
- Arnhem Land (Aboriginal Lands) entry permits & Aboriginal Guide
- Gunbalanya
- Injalak Hill (Long Tom Dreaming)

- Meals where Marked (B, L, D)

- 2 Night's Hotel Accommodation

- Water Bottle

Not included:

- Alcoholic Beverages
- Personal requirements