Darwin to Kakadu and beyond

Today, kick off your adventure with a leisurely drive from Darwin to Kakadu.

Depart Darwin at 8.00 am for a 250 km drive to Kakadu. Just 45 minutes from Darwin, near Fogg Dam, engage with local Aboriginal people, the environment and wildlife at Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours.

Cross the mighty South Alligator River and experience the floodplain at Mamukala. The Mamukala Bird Hide is easily accessible (300 m return walk), and the 3 km Mamukala walk offers great opportunities to discover some of Kakadu’s 280 bird species.

Spend the afternoon at Bowali Visitor Centre – chat with staff, ask them questions and learn more of Kakadu’s history at the interpretive displays. You can also watch documentaries.

Stay overnight in Jabiru at one of the campgrounds, hotels, lodges or cabins. Refuel and restock at the supermarket and dine at one of the fantastic restaurants for some locally-inspired cuisine.

Rock art, a river cruise and croc spotting

Today, study world-class rock art, take a cultural river cruise and count crocs.

Depart Jabiru at 8.00 am and head to Ubirr rock art site. A short walk through the stone escarpments reveals a wealth of Kakadu’s best rock art. Next climb to Nadab lookout – relax and marvel at the beauty and scale of the view over the Nadab floodplain.

Stop off at Manbiyarra (Border Store) for lunch and then head to nearby Cahills Crossing for some crocodile spotting.

After lunch take the Manngarre Rainforest walk (up to 1.2 km return walk) which starts near East Alligator River downstream boat ramp. For something different, discover Indigenous stories and bush survival skills on the guided Guluyambi Cultural Cruise.

After all the fantastic fresh air, enjoy dinner and get an early night in Jabiru, ready for an early start.

Kakadu through Indigenous eyes

Today, feel the spirits on country, and see Kakadu through Indigenous eyes.

Set out from Jabiru at 8.00 am and head to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site (1 km return walk) which served as a shelter and canvas for thousands of years. You’ll wind through shaded rock shelters, discovering the way life used to be for Bininj.

Walk through woodlands to a quiet rock art site at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), known as Nanguluwurr (3.4 km return walk). Then head to Anbangbang Billabong (2.5 km loop walk) which offers a tranquil and picturesque place to bushwalk, spot birds and wildlife, and enjoy a picnic lunch.

To round the day off, take the short hike up the slope to Nawurlandja lookout with its fantastic views of Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), Anbangbang and watch the Arnhem Land escarpment glow in the afternoon light.

Stay overnight in Cooinda. Enjoy some local barramundi at the bistro.

Jim Jim Falls

Today, explore the dramatic scenery of Kakadu’s stone country with a local guide on a 4WD tour, or drive yourself if you have a high-clearance 4WD.

Drive, or book a guided tour from Cooinda, into the Jim Jim Falls area to see the ancient gorges, towering cliffs and plunge pools up close. Look out for Karnamarr (red-tailed black cockatoo) and lots of other birds and wildlife.

For anyone less physically active, try booking a tour to Maguk or Gunlom, and learn about nature and history in the Mary River region of Kakadu.

Stay overnight in Cooinda.

Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba)

Learn about the intricate web of life in Kakadu’s wetlands, continue your cultural explorations and visit a special rock art site

First up, wake up with Kakadu’s wonderful birds on the Yellow Water sunrise cruise. This stunning waterway is home to hundreds of birds and animal species. Take your camera!

Explore Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Cooinda for stories about Kakadu’s living Indigenous culture, kinship and European history (scheduled to reopen later in 2020)

Why not take another stroll through the savanna woodlands along nearby Kungardun walk to complete your Kakadu experience?

This 2 km loop walk through Kakadu’s most widespread habitat starts near the entrance to Mardukal campground.

Say ‘bobo’ (farewell) to Kakadu and begin the three-hour drive back to Darwin. If you travel in a 4WD take the alternative route via the Old Jim Jim Road.