Top End Highlights
Top End Highlights
Top End Highlights
6 Days Starting and ending in Darwin, Australia
Visiting: Darwin, Litchfield National Park, Katherine, Kakadu, Kakadu National Park
Tour operator:
Tour code:
NDKD26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Top End Highlights" tour and immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Australia's Northern Territory. Begin your adventure in the vibrant city of Darwin, where tropical markets and stunning sunsets set the scene. Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Litchfield National Park, with its waterfalls and termite mounds, before heading to Katherine for a cultural experience with the Jawoyn people. Discover the serene beauty of Nitmiluk Gorge and the ancient rock art of Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy guided walks, refreshing swims, and a Yellow Water Billabong cruise, all while staying in comfortable accommodations. This tour offers a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation in Australia's Top End.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Darwin
Location: Darwin
Accommodation Name: Travelodge Darwin Resort
Darwin is the kind of place that excites all your senses. It’s always tropical, which means you have a constant glow. The aroma of Top End delights wafts from markets. The horizons are wide and sunsets blazing. Take in sights and attractions that tell stories of the NT capital’s history on a city tour. As the day begins to disappear, follow the lead of the colourful locals to the Mindil Beach Sunset Market. Your Travel Director will give you the lowdown, highlighting the eclectic range of cuisine on offer – expect everything from Greek to Japanese but it is always hard to go past a Laska (own expense). What a tasty start to your getaway.
Day 2: Darwin - Katherine
Location: Litchfield National Park
Accommodation Name: Contour Hotel Katherine
The ancient landscapes of Litchfield National Park are shaped by water, as you’ll fast discover when exploring this immense protected wilderness. There are rivers, waterfalls and waterholes. Get set to visit Florence Falls, then take a dip in the gin-clear pool of Wangi Falls, this dreamy setting enveloped by monsoon forest. (Swimming is seasonal and opening is controlled by NT Parks). The landscape is also shaped by termites. The national park is pocked with enormous termite mounds, which are architectural feats complete with tunnels and nursery chambers. Small creatures with a big vision.
Day 3: Nitmiluk Gorge
Location: Katherine
Accommodation Name: Contour Hotel Katherine
Today, a 2-hour local indigenous experience where guides will introduce you to Jawoyn culture and traditional activities such as basket weaving, spear throwing, didgeridoo playing, bush medicine, and yarning circle. These activities were divided into Men’s business and Women business. The cultural team will discuss both roles in the Jawoyn culture and encourage you to experience some of these traditional activities.
Day 4: Katherine - Kakadu
Location: Kakadu
Accommodation Name: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
Today is your chance to reset your body’s natural rhythms with a morning dip at Leliyn (Edith Falls) – because days are better when you begin them with your head under water. (Swimming is seasonal and is controlled by National Parks). This series of cascades in Nitmiluk National Park will set your pulse racing. Before venturing deep into Kakadu, you’re poised for refreshments with a short stopover in the film-set-like town of Pine Creek, where buildings date back to the heady gold rush days. In Kakadu, you’ll take a guided walk to view ancient Aboriginal rock art at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie).
Day 5: Kakadu National Park
Location: Kakadu National Park
Accommodation Name: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
If you want a different perspective, sign up for a scenic flight over the national park, revealing just how wide, wild and wonderful this part of the world really is (own expense). Australia is home to some of the oldest art in the world, and much of it decorates rock walls at Ubirr – this jaw-dropping site protects Aboriginal rock paintings and carvings dating back more than 20,000 years. If you thought that was impressive, wait till you see the view over Kakadu from the top of the escarpment. This afternoon, there’s nothing between you and nature, the dramatic escarpments, waterholes and abundant wildlife of Kakadu looming large. Speaking of large, there are saltwater crocs to spot while you drift away on a Yellow Water Billabong cruise. Your local cruise guide will share the secrets of these ancient waterways. Top off your holiday sharing a Farewell Dinner with your Travel Director and travel mates.
Day 6: Farewell From Darwin
Location: Darwin
Following your Kakadu tour, you may also spot enormous ‘salties’ lurking in river crossings you pass by. Plus you may also see them at Fogg Dam. But here you will definitely witness a cacophony of birds. This really is a twitcher's paradise. A fitting end to this epic wilderness journey.
What's Included
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Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver
A specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver that are accredited with Kakadu National Parks.
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UNESCO World Heritage Site - Kakadu National Park
Visit 1 UNESCO World Heritage Site - Kakadu National Park, including Aboriginal Rock Art sites.
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Comfortable accommodation
Comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres.
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Entrance fees
Kakadu National Park entrance fees and Northern Territory Parks entrance fees included.
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Cruises
Kakadu's Yellow Waters Billabong Cruise and Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge Cruise.
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Litchfield National Park Touring
Litchfield National Park Touring including waterfalls.
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price.
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Meals at Mindil Beach Sunset Market
Meals at the Mindil Beach Sunset Market are at your own expense.
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Scenic flight over Kakadu
Scenic flight over Kakadu National Park is at your own expense.
Mode of Transport
Transportation includes guided tours with a specialist team of a Travel Director and Driver, with flights to and from Darwin Airport not included in the trip price.
Accommodation
Enjoy comfortable stays at the Travelodge Darwin Resort, Contour Hotel Katherine, and Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, all offering easy access to city centers and natural attractions.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of cultural experiences can I expect during the tour?
On Day 3, you will have a 2-hour local indigenous experience where guides will introduce you to Jawoyn culture and traditional activities such as basket weaving, spear throwing, didgeridoo playing, bush medicine, and yarning circle. These activities are divided into Men's business and Women's business, and the cultural team will discuss both roles in the Jawoyn culture.
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Are there any swimming opportunities during the tour?
Yes, there are several opportunities for swimming. On Day 2, you can take a dip in the gin-clear pool of Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park. On Day 4, you can enjoy a morning dip at Leliyn (Edith Falls) in Nitmiluk National Park. Please note that swimming is seasonal and controlled by NT Parks and National Parks.
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What kind of wildlife can I expect to see during the tour?
During the tour, you can expect to see a variety of wildlife. On Day 5, you may spot saltwater crocodiles while on the Yellow Water Billabong cruise in Kakadu National Park. Additionally, on Day 6, you may see 'salties' lurking in river crossings and a cacophony of birds at Fogg Dam, making it a paradise for bird watchers.
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What kind of physical fitness is required for this tour?
A low level of fitness is generally required for this tour. However, for the climb to the top of Nadab Lookout at Ubirr in Kakadu National Park, a medium level of fitness is required. The climb involves scaling uneven rocky paths and steps. There is an alternate route on a fairly flat gravel path for those unable to climb to the top.
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What are the accommodation options during the tour?
The tour includes comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centers. Specific accommodations mentioned are the Travelodge Darwin Resort on Day 1, Contour Hotel Katherine on Days 2 and 3, and Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel on Days 4 and 5.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?
Yes, flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. You should arrange flights to arrive prior to 1.30pm into Darwin Airport on Day 1 and depart after 1.30pm from Darwin Airport on Day 6. Additionally, some activities like the scenic flight over Kakadu National Park on Day 5 are at your own expense.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
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Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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