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.

By special arrangement we have access to a working cattle Station (Ranch).  Carmor Plains (Ranch). The station is situated around the Mary River system (which is next to Kakadu National Park). The station is 250 square miles and runs approx. 3000 head of cattle during the dry season. The floodplains abound with waterfowl, wild buffalo, pigs and wallabies. We will also experience a sunset over the floodplains while enjoying a glass of wine.

Overnight: Camping: Carmor Plains. (L, D)

Day Two:         

This morning we will further explore this unique area, visit a rainforest, and enjoy the opportunity to explore one of the few remaining stations close to Kakadu National Park, as the majority are owned by local Aboriginal people or larger companies. We will then take an airboat ride across the wetland which gives you a better understanding of these great unspoiled areas.

From here we head onto Kakadu National Park via the Old Darwin Road, he we shall head to the Southern end of Kakadu, here we find a pristine water fall, Gunlom (Waterfall Creek). Gunlom 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

Overnight: Camping (B, L, D) (Permanent Camp)

Day Three:

This morning we will visit Koolpin Gorge, (one hour drive from Gunlom) Aboriginal name Jarrangbarnmi, is described by some as the "Jewel in the Crown of Kakadu", as permits are needed and numbers strictly controlled. Koolpin is in the south of the park, in 4WD country. Here we can walk, scramble or climb the seemingly endless series of gorges and you will be rewarded with an ever-changing landscape, crystalline waters and infinite views. There are waterfalls, plunge pools, white sandy beaches and a lot more. This is a breathtaking, isolated area still in a pristine wilderness state. Koolpin Creek flows down several hundred feet through a series of cascades and pools often called the "Giant's Staircase". We spend time in this spectacular area. (Only a number of operates aloud into this area)

Overnight: Camping (B, L, D) (Permanent Camp)

Day Four:

This morning onto Maguk (Barramundi Gorge), with 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 & safe to swim in.

Next 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: Camping (B, L, D)

.

Day Five:

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. (B, L)

Included:

Luxury Toyota Air Conditioned GXL for five days with experienced local guide

Jumping Crocodile Cruise

Bark Hut Inn Lunch

- 1 night Carmor Plains Cattle Station

Airboat ride
-Yellow Water Cruise (Can be private cruise)

2 Nights Camping (Permanent camp)Kakadu

1 Night Camping Kakadu
-  Gunlom Falls

Maguk George

- Koolpin Gorge

Arnhem Land entry permits & Aboriginal Guide
- Gunbalanya
- Injalak Hill

All Meals Where Marked (B, L, D)

All camping fees

All camping equipment

- Water Bottle

Not included:

 Personal requirements