Top End
Australia

Top End

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.

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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

Available Walks

Hiker along the Sweetwater Pool Walk near Edith Falls in Nitmiluk National Park
Group-Guided

The Top End: Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield - 6 Days

Duration6 days
Walking Grade
3
From$4,295
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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

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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