10 Day/9 Night Top End Kakadu and Uluru Tour from Darwin
Experience a Number of the Northern Territory's Must See Outback Destinations On One Tour!
- Boat Cruise
- Banka Banka Cattle Station
- Bowali Centre
- Buley Rockhole
- Daly Waters Pub
- Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu)
- Florence Falls
- Gunlom Waterfall
- Kakadu National Park
- Kata Tjuta (the Olgas)
- Kings Creek Station
- Litchfield National Park
- Mary River Wetlands
- Mataranka Thermal Pools
- Mount Conner
- Mt Ebenezer Roadhouse
- Nitmiluk National Park
- Stuarts Well Camel Farm
- Tropic of Capricorn
- Ubirr Rock Lookout
- Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Wangi Falls
- Watarrka National Park
- Alice Springs
- Camels
- Cooinda
- Darwin
- Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds
- Departs Tuesday, Wednesday between November to April / Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday between May to October from Darwin
- Returns Alice Springs
- Duration 10 Day Tour
- Group Size 17
- Vehicle Air Conditioned Minibus or 4WD Truck
- Mobile ticketing accepted
- No credit card fees
- 7 days a week support
- Courtesy Pick-up from Accommodation
- Experienced Tour Guide
- 6 x Breakfast
- 9 x Lunch
- 6 x Dinner
- Two Hour Private Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise
- Camping Equipment and Fees
- Reference Books
- Drinking Water (Please provide your own bottle).
This “Outback” 10-day adventure offers a value for money Northern Territory experience with lots and lots of inclusions, including 9 days of guided touring, 21 meals, park entry fees, 6 nights camping, 3 nights budget accommodation, and all of this while travelling with other fun-loving and active travellers from all over the world. Not only this, of course, there is also plenty of hiking, swimming and exploring from the Red Centre to the Top End! During this adventure tour you will explore of number of waterfalls, search for mighty crocs, marvel at the intriguing Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds, enjoy a ‘fair dinkum’ outback experience at the Daly Water Pub, experience a mesmerising Uluru Rock sunrise, hike through the Valley of the Winds, spend evenings star gazing and telling stories, plus so much more!
Your Top End adventure begins as we travel to the Mary River Wetlands for our cruise. This region is home to over 250 bird species and has the highest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the Southern Hemisphere. Search for the mighty crocs who rule this waterway along with buffalo, birds and other wildlife. Our entrance to Kakadu National Park is at the South Alligator River, a picturesque location for a picnic Lunch. There’s the opportunity to purchase Aboriginal arts and crafts at the Bowali Visitor Centre before our late afternoon arrival at Ubirr. Here you can view a wide range of ancient Aboriginal art which will be interpreted by your guide. Learn the story of the Rainbow Serpent and climb the Nadab Lookout for panoramic views over the floodplain and beyond into Arnhem Land. As the day draws to a close, we head to our private campsite for Dinner and our overnight stay.
Next morning the jewels of Kakadu National Park await. After Breakfast and departing camp, we travel off-road to the majestic Twin and Jim Jim Falls* for a day of adventure and exploration. Travelling into Twin Falls by 4WD track, a boat shuttle and finally a rocky track and boardwalk, we will be rewarded by the beauty of this remote waterfall deep within the Park. Afterwards, we stay off the beaten track where a walk through monsoon forests and over boulders lead us to Jim Jim Falls. Surrounded by 150-metre cliffs, we spend some time soaking up the natural beauty of this majestic location. This afternoon we depart Kakadu National Park and travel towards Litchfield National Park where we will stop along the way at our private campsite. Tonight, enjoy a hearty meal with your fellow adventurers.
Next day. is spent exploring the waterfalls, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments of Litchfield National Park. Marvel at the intriguing Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds and swim, hike and explore Florence and Wangi Falls*. Discover the many rock holes and cascading waterfalls of Buley Rockhole before our early evening arrival back in Darwin.
Next, our adventure through the ‘Territory’ to Alice Springs begins. The afternoon is spent at Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park which is owned by the Jawoyn Aboriginal people. Ancient sandstone has been carved away by the Katherine River to create a deep and picturesque gorge. You may like to take a Boat Cruise or paddle a canoe (seasonal) through the peaceful water (both optional and additional cost) before journeying to our nearby campsite.
On your 5th day, A great start to the day is a soak in the Mataranka Thermal Pools, a lush oasis fringed by paperbark trees. No trip to the ‘Territory’ is complete without a visit to the Daly Waters Pub, an important watering hole for explorers and drovers in days gone by and now a great spot for a cold beer, a bit of history and a ‘fair dinkum outback experience’! Our day winds to a close at historic Banka Cattle Station where we camp for the night.
Then, We pass through Tennant Creek and then further along the track are the Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu), a collection of gigantic granite boulders magically balanced on top of one another. Later in the day, we cross the Tropic of Capricorn (only 20% of the Northern Territory lies south of this point) then a short time later we arrive into Alice Springs. Two night’s dorm or Budget Twin/Single accommodation in Alice Springs is included.
A day at leisure to either relax or explore the Red Centre township of Alice Springs (Day 7). All activities and meals are at your own expense.
Next morning, where you will make the journey to Ayers Rock. On arrival to Uluru- Kata Tjuta National Park, visit a camel farm and discover life atop one of the regions earliest forms of transport. This afternoon embark on an interpretive base walk of Uluru. Those choosing to climb will have the opportunity to do so, weather permitting. (Note: Uluru is a sacred site and the Anangu people ask visitors to respect their law and do not climb it). The Cultural Centre is impressive and well worth a visit before watching the ever-changing colours of Uluru at sunset. After Dinner, some stories and stargazing, it’s time for a good night’s rest at our private campsite before another active day tomorrow.
Your guide will wake you bright and early on your 9th Day to experience a mesmerising Uluru sunrise which can be viewed close-by our campsite, early mornings being such a magical time in the desert. Then it’s a short drive to Kata Tjuta (the Olgas), an Aboriginal word for “many heads”, to explore its domes of which there are 36 in total. Pull-on your hiking boots and take the Valley of the Winds to walk through creek beds, domes and beautiful wilderness. After Lunch, it’s farewell to Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park as we travel to Kings Creek Station where we camp for the night.
On your last adventure, we enter the Watarrka (Kings Canyon) National Park, home of a mighty chasm with sheer red rock faces which soar over 100 metres above lush palm forests. The rim of Kings Canyon is a 6km round trip walk and you will visit the Amphitheatre, Lost City and tranquil Garden of Eden. After our final meal together we begin our journey back to Alice Springs arriving in the late afternoon.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Our safaris are active participation based tours. We rely on the goodwill of all passengers to make them a success. This includes your assistance in the preparation of meals, washing up, gathering firewood and loading/unloading vehicles. Itinerary may change due to cultural reasons, seasonal changes, operational logistics and accessibility. ^Single passengers will be provided with a single hotel room in Darwin and Alice Springs however will be required to share a tent with another same-sex passenger whilst on safari on days 1-3. Camping on this package uses a mixture of swags and basic tent with mattresses. Guests can hire a tent for days 8-10 and there is a $60 per person hire fee. Tents can sleep up to two passengers and must be requested prior to departure. * Twin and Jim Jim Falls may not be accessible between the shoulder periods of May-Jun and October. During this time we will visit Gunlom Falls, Maguk or the Yurmikmik Region (Motor Car Falls or Boulder Creek)* Twin and Jim Falls may not be accessible between the tropical summer months. During this time we will visit Gunlom Falls, Maguk or the Yurmikmik Region (Motor Car Falls or Boulder Creek). During the months of November – April inclusive the first 3 days of your itinerary will be upgraded to our 4WD Dragonfly Dreaming Wet Season itinerary. There is no additional charge for this upgrade. During this period days, 1-3 will be accommodated in permanent tents. This 10-day package is a combination of three tour products and the guide and passengers may differ on each tour. Passengers will be staying independently at the accommodation between each of the tours. Tour is not suitable for children. For guests with children, we recommend you upgrade to our Open aged safaris. Please enquire with our reservations team. Twin Falls Boat Shuttle Fee $12.50 is not included and payable direct on day of the cruise. Due to limited space on the vehicle please restrict luggage to one day pack and one soft overnight bag/backpack. Excess luggage should be stored at your Darwin Accommodation on days 1-3. If spending 1 night in Darwin between safaris on days 4-6 you will travel from Darwin to Alice Springs and all luggage should accompany you with excess luggage being stored in the vehicle and unavailable during these days. If spending 2 nights in Darwin this will apply on days 5-7. On days 8-10 please store your excess luggage at your Alice Springs accommodation. Travel Insurance compulsory for all passengers travelling on this tour. This should be taken out at the time of booking and must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover. We also strongly recommend it covers
The below itinerary can change due to cultural reasons, seasonal changes, operational logistics and accessibility.