Top End
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  • 30+ Years Experience
  • Pack-Free Walking
  • Flexible Itineraries
  • Comfortable Stays
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Overview

The Top End, Australia's timeless north, evokes a sense of ancient wonder. This vast region, encompassing Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, is a land sculpted by time and rich in Indigenous culture. Dramatic escarpments plunge into lush monsoon rainforests, teeming with life. Waterfalls cascade into crystal-clear plunge pools, offering respite from the tropical heat.

For millennia, Aboriginal people have called this land home, their stories etched into rock art galleries, some dating back tens of thousands of years. These sites offer profound insights into their spiritual connection to the land.

The Top End's wildlife is equally captivating. Crocodiles patrol billabongs, while jabirus stalk the floodplains. Birdlife is abundant and vibrant. Experiencing a Top End sunset, painting the sky in fiery hues, is unforgettable. It’s a place where the ancient and the natural intertwine, leaving an indelible mark on all who visit. It's a journey through time, a connection to the heart of Australia.

With over 30 years of experience, 30,000+ satisfied guests, and more than 3 million kilometres walked, you’re in expert hands

THE TOP END EXPERIENCE

Wonder
Watch sunset from Ubirr, with 360-degree views across the Nadab floodplain to the Arnhem Land escarpment
Stand beneath the sandstone galleries of Kakadu, one of the oldest continuously inhabited landscapes on Earth
Cruise Yellow Water Billabong at first light as the birdlife stirs and saltwater crocodiles line the banks
Wellness
Cool off beneath Florence Falls and in the cascading pools of Buley Rockhole in Litchfield
Soak in the clear thermal springs at Mataranka, warm year round and ringed by palms
Walk in the cool of the morning, then spend the heat of the day at a waterhole close at hand
Nature
Cross vast dry-season floodplains alive with birdlife, from jabiru to sea eagles
Walk through towering sandstone pillars and pockets of monsoon rainforest along the East Alligator River
Follow the rim of Katherine Gorge to Pat's Lookout and Jedda's Rock, high above the river winding through the escarpment

What you'll eat


Group dinners
Evening meals with your guide and fellow walkers, swapping the day's stories over dinner
Hotel breakfasts
Generous buffet starts at the Mercure in Kakadu and the Contour in Katherine before an early walk
Darwin's food scene
The trip opens with dinner at a local restaurant in town, a taste of the tropical north

Where you'll stay


Kakadu
The Mercure Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru, famously built in the shape of a crocodile
Katherine
The Contour Hotel, a comfortable base beside Nitmiluk National Park
Darwin
A 3-star city hotel to begin and end, within easy walking distance of the foreshore

How you'll travel


On foot
Short morning walks at each destination, graded moderate and designed for slowing down
Small group
A licensed guide who knows these landscapes leads the way, with just a handful of walkers
Private vehicle
Comfortable transfers link Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield across the Top End's long distances

Top End reviews

4.9
14 reviews
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Jean K
August 2025

Great variety of scenery walks and activities. The guides were great, kind and accommodating.

Judithr
October 2024

A great well organised 8 night trip designed for keen walkers who like comfortable accommodation and good food at the end of the day. This trip allowed us to explore this corner of Australia while our luggage was moved along each day. We started with an overnight stay in the atmospheric Ross River but all the properties we stayed in had there own character and our hosts were welcoming.

Rosy
September 2024

We could not have asked for a better trip. From the initial organisation, to the transport, accommodation and meals, it was just incredible. Our driver, Damien, could not do enough for us. He was so lovely. We had a wonderful time and can’t wait to book our next walk.

Michael G
January 2023

We recently did a walk in the Northern Territory. The guides were punctual, efficient, friendly, nice people and very helpful. The trip was well organised. They were accommodating and in the event of some walks being cancelled due to burn off – they did their best to find alternatives. The accommodation on the whole was very good and the meals also were good. The company's communication with us was also always very polite, quick, efficient and helpful. Their website is clear and the pre-trip package information was quite accurate although in a few cases it mentioned meals to be included in one area and not in another yet were, in fact, included. I would certainly recommend this company for walking holidays in Australia.

selawson
January 2023

The Larapinta trail walk with Auswalk was fantastic. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly and organised (yet flexible when required). We really felt like they cared about us and our experience. The accommodation was relatively basic but adequate (and more comfortable for us than camping!) and the view from the rooms was amazing! I recommend getting fit before going and breaking in boots and socks, so you can enjoy it as much as possible. I would go on another Auswalk.

Gail S
July 2022

Thank you to Auswalks especially to Katie and Georgie for a splendid time. I really appreciate all the effort and attention to detail, all of which made for a memorable experience.

More About This Destination

The Top End of Australia experiences a tropical monsoon climate characterised by two distinct seasons: the Wet and the Dry.

The Wet Season (November to April): This period, also known as the tropical summer or the "Green Season," is marked by high humidity, monsoonal rains, and thunderstorms. Average temperatures range from 25 degrees C to 33 degrees C (77 degrees F to 91 degrees F), with humidity often exceeding 80%. January is typically the wettest month. Despite the rain, this season sees a lush landscape transformation and spectacular waterfalls.

The Dry Season (May to October): Characterised by warm, dry, and sunny days with cooler nights.  Temperatures generally range from 21 to 32  degrees C (70 F to 90 F), and humidity is significantly lower, usually between 60% and 65%. May to July can have cooler nights, with temperatures potentially dropping to 17 degrees C to 23 degrees C (63 F to 73 F). This is often considered the most comfortable time to visit the Top End.

As with any journey, it is essential to be prepared for your self-guided walking holiday. While we will be transporting your luggage from accommodation to accommodation, you will still be carrying a light-weight day pack with you. Here is what we suggest that you carry with you each day:

  • Walking notes, map, and a map case
  • Picnic lunch packed in an insulated container (when supplied)
  • Quality waterproof jacket with a hood
  • Warm jumper or jacket
  • Sunhat
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sunscreen (at least 15+)
  • 1 to 2 litres of water
  • First aid kit
  • Toilet paper
  • Some money
  • Mobile phone (please note that reception is not available in all walk areas)
  • Personal insect repellent, band-aids, and a small container of salt missed with rice grains
  • Personal necessities (example: required medication)

Now that we have the essentials packed, it is time to think of those additional items that may be worth packing along with you. These may include and are not limited to:

  • Waterproof over-trousers
  • Warm hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera (with extra battery or sim cards)
  • Binoculars
  • Notebook and pen
  • Matches
  • Small torch
  • Walking stick
  • Thermos (for hot drinks)
  • Additional snacks

Frequently asked questions

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