JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.
Australian Wilderness & Outback Journeys
Private and luxury journeys to The Kimberley, Kakadu, Arnhem Land, Red Centre, Flinders Ranges, Lake Eyre...
Learn more
Greatest Rail Journeys in Australia
A luxury holiday of a life time on one of the great Australian rail journeys. Rail & Sail, Reef & Rail, Outback & Rail...
Experience the best of Australia’s Northern Territory on an unforgettable 8-day journey through the Top End. Explore the stunning landscapes of Kakadu, Nitmiluk, and Litchfield National Parks, uncover ancient rock art sites, and cool off in pristine natural waterholes and thermal pools. Guided by local experts, this trip blends breathtaking scenery with cultural insights, making it the perfect adventure for nature and history lovers alike.
You begin your journey in Darwin. Step into a realm where ancient spirits whisper through the wind and nature’s masterpieces await your discovery. On this intimate small-group odyssey, you will traverse the emerald landscapes of Kakadu, Nitmiluk, and Litchfield National Parks, wandering along sun-drenched trails toward breathtaking lookouts. Venture beyond the veil to remote, restricted rock art sites at Ubirr and Nourlangie, where history is etched ...
You begin your journey in Darwin. Step into a realm where ancient spirits whisper through the wind and nature’s masterpieces await your discovery. On this intimate small-group odyssey, you will traverse the emerald landscapes of Kakadu, Nitmiluk, and Litchfield National Parks, wandering along sun-drenched trails toward breathtaking lookouts. Venture beyond the veil to remote, restricted rock art sites at Ubirr and Nourlangie, where history is etched in stone.
Experience the thrill of Cahill’s Crossing as you enter the mystical Arnhem Land, guided by First Nations Traditional Owners who share the profound secrets of their enduring heritage. Between these cultural immersions, find sanctuary in crystalline waterholes and hidden rivers, surrendering to the embrace of nature’s own thermal pools. To heighten the enchantment, savor exquisite picnic lunches tucked away in secret locales, known only to your expert guides. Every moment is a sophisticated dance between rugged adventure and sublime serenity.
Your tour includes expert local guides, comfortable accommodations, most meals, and park entry fees. Plus, you’ll enjoy unique experiences like picnic lunches in secret spots and exclusive access to remote rock art sites. All transportation is provided, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the Top End.
The walk is fully supported and catered. You only carry a daypack. Walking distances range from 3km to 12km per day. A moderate level of fitness should be able to complete the walk.
This walking package includes return transfers to/from Darwin, all nights at mentioned accommodation on a twin share basis and all meals as well as all transport in an air-conditioned bus. Enjoy professional guiding and support each day and ferry tickets for your Guluyambi and Arnhem Land experience as well as National Park entrance fees.
Experience the ideal showcase of Kakadu, Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Park’s best features on this 8-day walking adventure. Explore the rugged beauty, natural wilderness and deep-seeded Aboriginal culture, taking with you unforgettable memories of this incredible part of the world.
Dates or itinerary don't fit? We are specialising in bespoke "tailor-made" luxury or private journeys. Please contact us for a "tailor-made" itinerary for your perfect adventure.
This tour is eligible to earn ONLYLUXE reward points.
More Info
Read Less
After you arrive in Darwin (Gulumoerrgin in the language of the local Larrakia people, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Darwin is now located), please make your way to your accommodation. Meet in the lobby at 6:00pm where you will have an extensive briefing about the week of adventure to come. After the meeting, you’ll head to a local restaurant for a dinner (own expense), to get to know each other and celebrate the start of your adventure.
Walking Information: approx. 3 hours of walking
Begin your day with a nourishing breakfast before venturing into the breathtaking Mamukala Wetlands, a jewel within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. From the observation platform, lose yourself in the symphony of the wetlands, where a third of Australia’s bird species create a vibrant, living spectacle. Watch as thousands of magpie geese forage in the shallows, while water pythons bask in the sun and ancient crocodiles glide silently beneath the surface.
From there, journey to the sacred grounds of Ubirr, one of the world’s most extraordinary rock art sites. As you wander through the ancient galleries, you will discover intricate paintings that serve as a timeless record of Aboriginal life, with some artworks dating back over 20,000 years. Marvel at the powerful X-ray art depicting the internal structures of fish and animals, and uncover vivid stories of creation spirits and early encounters with non-Aboriginal people.
After immersing yourself in this profound cultural treasure, you will continue to Jabiru to settle into your cozy resort, your sanctuary for the nights to come.
The Kakadu accommodation is owned and operated by the Djabulukgu Association representing the traditional owners of northern Kakadu and Western Arnhem Land. There are two bathrooms per block of six air-conditioned twin rooms that are located on the outside of the building. Please bring a torch for use after dark.
After a nourishing breakfast, your adventure truly begins. Journey to Cahill’s Crossing, where the East Alligator River marks the mystical gateway to Arnhem Land. Here, you will be welcomed by the land’s Traditional Owners, your hosts for an unforgettable day of discovery. An experienced First Nations guide will lead you through this ancient terrain, sharing profound insights into Aboriginal culture and heritage from the comfort of a 4WD vehicle. Traverse the breathtaking landscapes of the Mikkinj Valley, where time seems to stand still amidst ancient rock art sites, majestic sandstone gorges, and sprawling flood plains teeming with an abundance of vibrant birdlife. After immersing yourself in the stories etched into the very rock and soul of the land, enjoy a tranquil moment by the water before indulging in a delightful lunch at the serene Inkiyu Billabong.
Walking Information: total approx. 4.9 km walking. The walk at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock) is approximately 1.5 km return. The walk to the Nanguluwurr art site is approximately 3.4 km return.
Embark on a pilgrimage to Kakadu National Park, home to one of the world’s most profound concentrations of ancient rock art. Your journey leads you to the majestic sandstone plateau of Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock), where the whispers of over 20,000 years of human history echo through the cliffs. Here, you will stand before the striking image of Namarrgon, the Lightning Man—a powerful ancestral figure said to split the sky with his stone axes during the dramatic monsoon storms. Wander through this natural, open-air gallery where shelter caves reveal vibrant layers of "X-ray" style paintings and depictions of first contact with European sailing ships, offering a rare window into a timeless culture.
The adventure continues as you traverse sun-dappled woodlands to reach the serene Nanguluwurr art site. Less visited and beautifully secluded, this sacred canvas displays a breathtaking array of spirits, mythical Dreamtime figures, and detailed hand stencils. It is an invitation to lose yourself in the quiet majesty of the Australian wilderness, where every brushstroke on the stone invites you to experience a world of deep spiritual heritage and unparalleled ancient artistry.
Today, take a break from walking and enjoy a scenic drive south. After breakfast, relax as you make your way to the Mataranka Thermal Pools, a natural oasis fed by crystal-clear, spring-fed waters that remain at a soothing 34°C year-round. These pools, surrounded by lush palm trees and tropical greenery, are the perfect spot to unwind and ease tired muscles. Along the way, stop in the historic town of Pine Creek to stretch your legs and explore its gold rush history. After your refreshing soak at Mataranka, continue on to Katherine, your base for the next three nights. Known as the gateway to the Outback, Katherine offers incredible experiences like Nitmiluk Gorge, unique Indigenous culture, and stunning natural landscapes waiting to be explored.
Your travel time today will be approximately 6.5 hours.
Walking Information: approx. 9km, 6 hours of walking
Venture into the sun-drenched northern reaches of Nitmiluk National Park, where the majestic Leliyn (Edith Falls) awaits as a verdant sanctuary amidst the rugged stone country. Here, the cascading waters serve as the triumphant finale to the legendary 62km Jatbula Trail. Embark on a sensory journey along a whisper-soft sandy path, retracing the ancient footsteps of the Jawoyn people toward the secluded Sweetwater Pool. En route, surrender to the temptation of crystalline natural basins, perfect for a refreshing interlude beneath the vast Australian sky. As the afternoon light deepens the hue of the crimson escarpments, pause at the Upper Pools of Leliyn—a breathtaking series of tiered plunges and tranquil swimming holes—for one last immersive embrace of nature’s opulence before heading back to Katherine.
Walking Information: Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge walks, approx. 6-12km, 7-8 hours walking
Embark on a journey to the southern reaches of Nitmiluk National Park, where the legendary Katherine Gorge awaits to unveil its ancient secrets. Allow your senses to be captivated as you traverse a landscape sculpted over twenty million years by the relentless, rhythmic flow of the Katherine River through towering sandstone. Your expert guide will curate a selection of enchanting walks, ranging from six to twelve kilometers, tailored precisely to the day’s golden warmth and your own spirit of adventure.
As you wander, marvel at the sheer cliff faces adorned with natural horizontal bands—sedimentary tapestries woven by time itself. Venture to the Barrawei Lookout for a breathtaking panorama of the river’s winding elegance, or seek the hidden serenity of the Southern Rockhole, where seasonal emerald waters offer a refreshing sanctuary. After a day immersed in this opulent wilderness, where every turn reveals a new masterpiece of the natural world, retreat to the comforts of Katherine to reflect on the day's majestic discoveries under a canopy of outback stars.
Walking Information: Litchfield National Park l Approx. 8km, approx. 4 hour walking
Following a leisurely breakfast, journey into the heart of Litchfield National Park, a verdant sanctuary where ancient escarpments give way to crystalline waterfalls cascading into deep, emerald plunge pools. Marvel at the architectural wonder of the Magnetic Termite Mounds—monolithic structures aligned perfectly with the earth's magnetic field—before venturing into prehistoric forests under the expert guidance of your local host.
Depending on the season, you will witness nature’s dramatic transformation: the thunderous power of four major falls during the wet season, or the serene, gentle flow of the dry season that invites you to submerge yourself in the cool, tranquil waters of Buley Rockhole or Wangi Falls. Wander past hidden billabongs and vibrant flora before making your elegant return to Darwin. As the sun sets on your adventure, your journey concludes in Darwin in the late afternoon.
Due to the long drive back and traffic conditions to Darwin, we recommend staying in Darwin for the night and avoiding booking a flight in case of a delayed arrival back to Darwin. No accommodation is included tonight. If you wish to linger a while longer in this tropical paradise, please speak to your travel consultant to book additional accommodation.
NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.
Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Optional Single Supplement $790pp.
The departure and finishing point is Darwin NT
Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Darwin
From June to August, the Top End reveals its most enchanting self, a season of idyllic weather and boundless exploration. As the remnants of the wet season recede, the landscape opens up, granting passage to trails and river crossings that were once impassable. By mid-June, the region is typically fully accessible, inviting you to wander its ancient paths. Days are bathed in a warm, dry heat, with temperatures hovering around 30-32°C under skies of brilliant clarity. While humidity is low, hydration remains your most essential companion; we recommend a water capacity of at least four litres, as it is quite natural to drink between three to five litres daily to feel your best.
On our more ambitious walking days, as we ascend to the sun-drenched stone country plateaus, the temperature may climb to a brilliant 36-38°C. Preparation for this radiant warmth is key to your comfort. As dusk settles, a delightful coolness sweeps across the land, with night-time temperatures offering a refreshing embrace, typically resting between a pleasant 18-22°C.
WALKING & TREKKINGThis is a hiking trip. Please come physically prepared and with the right hiking gear in order to complete the hikes safely and comfortably. Please read the trip notes carefully and take note of the packing list.
START & END TIMESThe trip begins in Darwin with a group meeting at 6pm, and finishes upon arrival back into Darwin on the last day in the late afternoon.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENTA Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. Due to the types of accommodation used on this tour a single supplement will not always mean a king/queen bed and own bathroom.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTSIt is very important that you advise us of any dietary requirements and allergies at least 2 weeks prior to departure. We need this information well ahead of time to be able organise catering for the trip. Darwin's remote location means that some food items will not be available on short notice, and once the trip has commenced changes to dietary requirements are not possible.
Level: Moderate length walks with some challenging terrain
A guide will accompany you each day as you discover some of the best walking trails in Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield. On some of the more challenging walks two guides will accompany the group, to offer mores options.
Some of the walks include quite steep and rocky sections; but, with a moderate level of fitness, each walk is enjoyable! We highly recommend that you do some training beforehand, especially walking steps and doing some training on rocky terrain. Some of the walks are circuit walks and some are to waterholes and back.
You are always welcome to take a day off walking. We will try to help you find suitable alternative activities if you desire and possible.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.Payment DetailAll pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.Single SupplementAll accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.General Cancellation Policies- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurancePlease Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.LiabilityThe participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.Child PolicyPlease consult travel consultant on age limit.Changes to ItinerariesLocal conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.Changes in PricesWhile we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age LimitsYou need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.Cancellation by The Tour OperatorThe walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.Force Majeure'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.EvacuationsIn rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.Travel InsuranceIn view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
Please note that we strongly suggest that you take out travel insurance to cover the possibility of you having to cancel due to contracting COVID-19, or being a close contact of someone else who does. Our cancellation policy does not cover you for this eventuality, however many insurers do, and the policies are very reasonably priced.