5 Day Top End Family Tour

Day 1

Your private guide collects you from your Darwin accommodation at 7:00am, ready for five days of family adventure.

First stop is the Adelaide River for a one-hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise. Watch wild saltwater crocodiles rise from the water to feed beside the boat, and keep an eye out for birds of prey swooping in overhead.

Continue into Kakadu National Park along the historic old Jim Jim Road, stopping at White Lily Billabong to take in the peaceful wetland scenery.

Next, head to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge), where a scenic 1 km walk follows Barramundi Creek through the bush to a beautiful waterfall and plunge pool.

Cool off with a swim beneath the falls or grab a snorkel and discover the freshwater life below the surface. It’s a memorable introduction to Kakadu’s swimming spots.

Later, travel to Cooinda Lodge and settle into your Outback Retreat Plus accommodation, your family’s base for the next two nights.

Day 2

After breakfast, leave Cooinda and travel north to Cahills Crossing on the East Alligator River, your gateway into Arnhem Land. On the drive to Gunbalanya, look out across lily-covered floodplains towards the sandstone escarpment.

Visit Injalak Arts Centre to meet local artists and see traditional painting, weaving and carving techniques firsthand.

Then join an Aboriginal guide to explore Injalak Hill. Walk among rock shelters filled with ancient paintings and hear the stories behind the art, giving the whole family a deeper understanding of this remarkable Country.

Return to Kakadu in the mid-afternoon and visit Ubirr, home to some of the park’s best-known rock art.

Explore the galleries before following the walk to the lookout. From the top, take in the vast Nadab floodplain and the stone country stretching into Arnhem Land.

After a day of art, stories and spectacular scenery, return to Cooinda Lodge for your second night.

Day 3

Start early for a two-hour sunrise cruise on Yellow Water Billabong. Watch the wetlands come to life as your guide points out saltwater crocodiles and an extraordinary variety of birds. There’s plenty for the whole family to spot among the paperbarks and water lilies.

After breakfast, head south through Kakadu to Gunlom Falls. Follow the short, steep walk to the upper rock pools, where a natural infinity pool looks out across southern Kakadu. Take a swim, explore the pools and enjoy the view.

Next, visit Moline Rockhole, a secluded waterfall and plunge pool accessed under a special permit available to select operators.

Cool off in the shaded pool or grab a snorkel to look for freshwater fish and turtles beneath the surface. It’s a lovely spot to spend time together before continuing south.

Travel towards Katherine and into Nitmiluk National Park, on Jawoyn Country. Settle into your two-bedroom Nitmiluk Cabin, your family’s base for the next two nights.

Day 4

Start the morning with a swim at Katherine Hot Springs, where clear thermal pools wind beneath shady palms.

Then head to Edith Falls (Leliyn) in Nitmiluk National Park. Follow the 2.7 km loop walk to the upper pools for a refreshing swim and views across the falls and surrounding bushland.

On the way back towards Katherine Gorge, visit Top Didj Art Gallery to browse Aboriginal artworks from across the region, along with traditional didgeridoos and other pieces.

This afternoon, take to the water for a family canoeing adventure through Katherine Gorge.

Begin with a scenic boat transfer through the first gorge, then collect your canoe and paddle into the second gorge and beyond. Explore at your own pace between towering sandstone cliffs, with time to stop for a picnic or a swim at designated spots along the way.

Return to your two-bedroom Nitmiluk Cabin for dinner and a second night in the national park.

Day 5

After breakfast, farewell Nitmiluk and head north to Litchfield National Park for a final day of waterfalls and swimming.

First, visit the magnetic termite mounds. These remarkable structures are aligned north to south to help regulate the temperature inside. Take a closer look at the ingenuity of these tiny builders before continuing into the park.

After lunch, cool off at Florence Falls, where twin waterfalls tumble into a plunge pool surrounded by monsoon forest. Then enjoy Buley Rockhole’s series of cascading pools, finding a spot to relax and soak up your last afternoon in the Top End.

Your final stop is Wangi Falls before settling in for the drive back to Darwin.

Arrive in Darwin at approximately 7:00pm, bringing your five-day family adventure to a close.