The Top End: Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield - 6 Days
6 Days
Moderate
The Top End: Kakadu, Katherine & Litchfield - 6 Days
from $4,295 / person
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1 / 12
OverviewOverview
The Top End in the dry season is unlike anywhere else in Australia. Ancient sandstone escarpments glow at dusk, vast floodplains pulse with birdlife, and the saltwater crocodiles are out in numbers. This six-day guided journey takes you through two of the Northern Territory's great national parks, Kakadu and Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge), with a day in Litchfield thrown in for its spectacular waterfalls and swimming holes. You travel in a small group with a licensed guide who knows these landscapes well. Days are full with morning walks when it's cool, afternoon swims to beat the heat, and dinners with your group to swap the day's stories. From the billabong at first light to the sun dropping over the Arnhem Land escarpment, Kakadu rewards those who slow down to look. With only short walks at each destination, this trip is designed to help you do exactly that.
Highlights
Cruise Yellow Water Billabong at sunrise, scanning the banks for saltwater crocodiles and watching the birdlife come to life
Walk through towering sandstone pillars at Bardedjilidji and into pockets of monsoon rainforest along the East Alligator River
Catch sunset from Ubirr's rocky lookout, with 360-degree views across the Nadab floodplain and Arnhem Land
Swim in the crystal-clear thermal pools at Mataranka in Elsey National Park
Hike to Pat's Lookout and Jedda's Rock above Katherine Gorge for views of the Katherine River winding through the escarpment
Cool off in the cascading pools at Buley Rockhole and swim beneath Florence Falls in Litchfield National Park
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Darwin
Darwin is an easy city to explore on arrival, with shaded walking paths, a relaxed foreshore, and a string of museums and historic buildings all within comfortable reach on foot. The NT Chinese Museum, Brown's Mart, the old Palmerston Town Hall, and Bicentennial Park are all worth your time if you want to stretch your legs and get a feel for the city before the trip begins. Your guide meets the group at the hotel lobby at 6pm for a welcome meeting, followed by an included dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Dinner at a local restaurant
Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Darwin
Day 1: Arrival in Darwin
Day 1 details
What's Included
Accommodation
Meals
Transfers
Private Vehicle Transfers
Guidance & Support
Itinerary & Walk Notes
24/7 on-trip support
Included Activities
Yellow water Billabong cruise
How We Rate This Walk
3
Auswalk Walking Grade
Moderate
Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.
Expect some hills and longer walking days. A reasonable level of fitness will help you enjoy the experience.
Fly into Darwin Airport and make your way to your hotel in the Darwin CBD. The welcome meeting is at 6pm in the hotel lobby, with dinner to follow. There is no guided activity on Day 1, so you have the afternoon free to explore the city on foot.
Departure
The group returns to Darwin by late-afternoon on Day 6 after the Litchfield visit. From there, onward travel is by your own arrangement. Darwin Airport is the main hub for flights back to the east coast and international connections.
We only offer this holiday during the winter months, when daily temperatures are the lowest for this region. It can still be quite warm to hot on occasions but there is usually a refreshing waterhole close at hand for a swim.
See the Bureau of Meteorology for information about temperatures and rainfall ahead of time to ensure proper clothing.
You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.
A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.
For over 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you'll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.
If you have any questions about this trip, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.
Dates & Pricing
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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.
Top End reviews
4.9
14 reviews
5 Star
12
4 Star
2
3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
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Jean K
last year
Great variety of scenery walks and activities. The guides were great, kind and accommodating.
Judithr
2 years ago
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
2 years ago
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
4 years ago
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
4 years ago
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
4 years ago
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.
Cliff S
9 years ago
We had an amazing trip. Our guides Marie & Katie were professional, resourceful, knowledgeable and great fun too! They went above and beyond to make our trip enjoyable. The tour was a good combination of the best locations in the Red Centre!
Katie D
9 years ago
In June 2017 I joined a group of walkers for a week in the Red Centre. To see the main attractions including Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Watarrka and Glen Helen it is necessary to travel long distances and it was wonderful to have capable drivers and guides. The trip was planned with some hard days walking , followed by an easier day. Apart from the circuit of Uluru, there is very little flat walking in that area. walking poles were certainly useful, and good boots are essential.
Our accommodation on current or former cattle stations was very good, as was the food. This was my second Auswalks holiday and now I understand why some people have had several holidays with them.
We saw some wonderful blue skies but also had some rain and it was cold at night.
Linda S
9 years ago
Take nine people, all whom love to walk, two very informed guides, Maire and Paul, and give them a week in the Red Centre walking on the most scenic tracks from Uluru to the West MacDonnells. By the end of that week, despite the overcast skies and cold wind, we became a well formed group, when Paul took a photograph of us spread out along the track in Ormiston Pound, in step with each other. The colours and the rock formations did not disappoint. Our guides were most informative about the land, the plants and the people who have lived in the Red Centre, and it was a welcome change to stay in accommodation which was not resort style with more than adequate accommodation and meals and a warm welcome wherever we went.
Denise U
9 years ago
I have just returned from my first Auswalk adventure and will most certainly be walking with them again. Our small group of likeminded walkers were amazed and astounded by the diversity of landscapes and vastness of the Red Centre. We were led by dynamic duo Marie and Paul. The itinerary is meticulously planned but also adaptable. The website information accurate. There are a lot of kilometres to travel, but they are competent drivers and there is interesting commentary and coffee stops along the way. Most of my group used walking poles and we needed our waterproof jackets, gloves and beanies. If you haven't been to the Red Centre before this is the perfect way to experience it. Stress free travel with Auswalk.
Kevin S
10 years ago
This trip certainly hits the highlights of the Red Centre. The guides were totally excellent and provided heaps of information about absolutely everything. The trip notes, planning, and execution of the trip were flawless. There were various nice little touches along the way that made the trip outstanding. We can recommend it extremely highly!
Deb W
11 years ago
The Red Centre Auswalks walking holiday was brilliant. The guides were extremely capable, professional but warm and friendly; nothing was too much trouble and they went above and beyond in aspect of providing the group with a wonderful walking holiday. We travelled to the most spectacular areas and walked trails through breath taking parts of Australia. Can't rate this walking holiday and in particular the attention to detail by the guides too highly.
Bryce J
12 years ago
We did a guided walk of the Red Centre with Auwalks in July 2014. The walks and accommodation were great with fantastic scenery and great guides. The walks all had easier options but even the harder options were not hard. The highlights were Uluru at sunset, Kings Canyon and the Ormiston Gorge. Travel was by bus which was a little basic for the distance travelled over the 6 days.
Greg W
12 years ago
What a wonderful week. From when we were first collected at 8.30 until we all said goodbye, the whole experience was fantastic. The best way to see the sights is on foot. The walks had shorter and longer options. The latter was a bit more challenging but not too difficult, the superb scenery was worth the walk. We had two guided and 16 walkers. Both guides were professional, experienced, motivated, dedicated and approachable. A great guide to visitor ratio! The food, either at the restaurants or prepared by the guides was perfect. The group was a fun group, with a mix of singles and couples. All had similar interests (walking) and all mixed. The whole tour was great value, it would be impossible to do the same on your own. Already looking forward to my next walk. But which one, so many great options?!
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