Darwin to Cairns

Day 1

The tour will pick you up early from your accommodation in Darwin. We will make our way to the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, with a stop off at Corroboree Billabong for a wildlife cruise and a chance to spot Saltwater crocodiles and plenty of birdlife.

We’ll then enter into the Aboriginal lands of Kakadu National Park and make a stop in at Bowali Visitor Centre before making tracks towards the East Alligator River to embark on our Guluyambi cultural cruise. An Aboriginal guide provides guests with an insight into their culture and local mythology, the river’s abundant food chain, traditional uses for many plants and animals as well as bush survival skills.  Disembark on the Arnhem Land side of the river for a display of traditional hunting and gathering implements. 

From the cruise we’ll go to Cahills Crossing, the famous vehicle crossing connecting Kakadu with Arnhem Land, where Saltwater crocodiles congregate as they wait for fish to flow over the low-lying road.

As we arrive at Kakadu’s Ubirr Rock, your guide will take you through some of the galleries to view a range of different ancient art styles with new paintings super-imposed over older ones. There are stories of law and behaviour, as well as great examples of Rarrk paintings and the thylacine.

We’ll walk to the Ubirr rock’s spectacular viewing platform carved by nature and take in the 360-degree views. You’ll be able to see across the Nadab floodplain and the East Alligator floodplains all the way to Arnhem Land. Here we will take in a spectacular sunset before making our way to camp for the night. (Breakfast not included on this day)

Day 2

This morning we'll lock the hubs into 4-wheel drive and take the dirt track into Jim Jim Falls, where we can cool off under Kakadu’s highest waterfall.

We will visit Yellow Waters; one of Kakadu's best-known billabongs and home to a variety of wildlife.  We'll learn about the importance of the billabong and take a moment to watch the wildlife as it plays around the water. 

Our next stop will be the Warradjan Aboriginal Culture Centre.  At the centre we will discover stories about Kakadu's traditional owners; known locally as the Bining.  This is a chance to learn about one of the longest continuous cultures on our planet, and an opportunity to read about their practices and traditions.  

Tonight, we will camp in southern Kakadu.

Day 3

This morning we’ll make our way into Gunlom Falls, where we’ll find a natural infinity pool perched up on the Arnhem Land escarpment with stunning views.

After our swim, we will make a stop in Katherine for fuel and supplies, before visiting Mataranka in Elsey National Park. You will have the opportunity to swim in the crystal-clear spring waters known as Mataranka Hot Springs.

We’ll camp in the National Park tonight.

Day 4

This morning you can plunge into the stunning natural thermal pool known as Bitter Springs, a chance to cool off and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

We’ll then head east following the Roper River, stopping in at Roper Bar, a river crossing used for access to southern Arnhem Land. Here, we wander through the ruins of a historic police station from the early pioneering days.

We continue along the Savannah Way spotting wildlife around the picturesque Lomarieum Lagoon. We’ll cross many pristine creeks and rivers, making a stop in the Nathan River Ranger Station and the Information Centre in Limmen National Park. Tonight, we will make our camp in the National Park.

Day 5

Today we will visit Butterfly Gorge for a morning swim; here, there are masses of the Common Crow butterflies which are great to watch.

The next stop is the Southern Lost City, where we will take a walk among ancient pillars displaying unique rock formations.

We will then continue to tonight’s camp.

Day 6

We continue East, stopping in at a remote outback town called Borroloola.  We’ll cross over many pristine rivers and creeks where you’ll see giant ancient cycads growing.  We make a stop at the lesser-known Echo Gorge to explore the area. Tonight, we’ll camp near the Northern Territory / Queensland border.

Day 7

We stop at Hells Gates to explore the sandstone formations and discover some Aboriginal sites before crossing over the Nicholson River where you’ll see the giant causeway.  We take station trails through one of Queensland’s largest cattle stations, Lawn Hill, to the world heritage listed Riversleigh fossil fields. Here are the fossilised remains of the largest known Freshwater crocodile and gizzard stones of towering flightless birds. We’ll then make our way to Adel’s Grove where there are peaceful clear swimming holes to camp near.  We will base ourselves here for the next two nights.

Day 8

Today we spend the day in Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park which is one of Queensland's most significant geological parks, with interesting rocks and landscapes formed over hundreds of millions of years. Lawn Hill Gorge is surrounded by beautiful red sandstone and a beautiful rainforest; the gorge is filled with clear, cold water from a distant spring, making swimming irresistible.  We will visit the upper gorge, Indarri Falls and we’ll complete the Island Stack walk. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to swim throughout the day.

Day 9

We make our way to Leichhardt Falls a wide-open set of falls on the Leichhardt River.  We’ll then make our way east, stopping in at Camp 119, the last camp on the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition.  We make a stop in Normanton to visit Krys Crocodile, a replica of the largest (8.63 metre) crocodile ever shot.  Afterwards we’ll take a swim in Lake Belmore near Croydon, an old gold rush town where we will spend the night. 

Day 10

Today we’ll travel to Georgetown. On route we will stop at Cumberland’s chimney, a remanent from the gold rush days.  We’ll also stop at a large waterhole where you’ll have the opportunity to spot local bird-life.  We will then continue on to one of Australia’s best Mineral Collections (the Ted Elliott Collection) before moving on to Undara Lava tubes.  Here, you will be taken on a 2-hour guided tour of the tubes with a local guide.  We will camp at Undara.  

Day 11

We head to the Kalkani Crater where you get great views of the surrounding volcanic regions.  We’ll then make our way into the tropical rainforest to Millaa Millaa Falls where many tv commercials have been filmed.  We’ll move on to Josephine Falls for a swim in the cool waters flowing down from Queensland’s highest mountain known as Mount Bartle Frere.  We’ll arrive in Cairns around 3pm. 

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Kapalga Travel reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary schedule to adapt to seasonal changes or if one of our stops becomes closed.