Kakadu & Beyond July 2011

9 Days: Saturday 9th to Sunday 17 July 2011

4 Nights: Cabin accommodation in Jabiru

2 Nights: Resort accommodation in Katherine

2 Nights: Cabin and unit accommodation in Litchfield

A walking tour with Park Trek to Australia’s Top End is one of the truly unique travelling experiences this country offers. Whether you are standing at an Aboriginal Art site that is thousands of years old or staring up at the awesome power of Twin Falls or Jim Jim Falls there is much to inspire and appreciate. We’ve chosen to visit in late July at a time of the year when the cooler temperatures allow us to walk comfortably in the mornings and early afternoons. The remainder of the day offers opportunities to board local cruise boats and get a different perspective on this magnificent area. The trip is fully accommodated and we’ll be travelling in luxury mini-coach transport.

DAY 1

We meet and greet in a central location in Darwin and within a short journey out of town we’ll be visiting Fogg Dam, a place of immense natural bio-diversity. After a few walks and a healthy morning tea we make tracks for lunch and the Mamakula Wetlands. Along the way we visit Windows on the Wetlands and make a few other stops. By late afternoon we’ll be settling into our cabin accommodation in Jabiru. This will be our place of stay for the next four nights.

About our accommodation...

Our accommodation at the Lakeview Park is in 3.5 star cabins. The rooms are configured with either double beds or two single beds. We have been using this location for the past 4 years and it is ideal for our groups. The rooms allow our guests some privacy as well as a chance to cool off in the air-conditioning. Then as the evening cools off we set out the wine and pre-dinner appertisers in the friendly garden surrounds as the bbq goes to work and dinner follows shortly thereafter.

We have exclusive use of the communal kitchen which allows us to prepare delicious evening meals and serve you plenty of local organic food.

Double bed or two singles
Tea and coffee making facilities
A lovely garden area where we serve dinner and breakfast
Each room has it's own refrigerator and television
Linen supplied including towels
Shared external bathroom and toilet
Guest laundry facilities are right where we stay

6 kilometres walking

DAY 2

Today’s walk takes you right into the very essence of what makes Kakadu such a special experience. First we take off on a 12 kilometre walk through ancient sandstone formations enjoying lunch high up on the banks of the East Alligator River. Then it’s off to view Cahills Crossing. Then mid afternoon we take off on a one kilometre walk around the superb Ubirr art site before a bbq dinner back at our lodgings.

DAY 3

When you reflect back on what for you were the highlights of your trip, today’s wander around Nourlangie Rocks will feature very highly. We make an early start with a walk up to see the rock art at Nanguluwur Gallery. Then you have the choice of doing either a short walk around the base of Nourlangie Rock or else you can choose a more challenging walk over the escarpemnt known as the Barrk Walk. Then we journey down the Kakadu Highway late morning to arrive into Kakadu Culture Camp and spending time with Andy, Freddie and Jenny who’ll introduce us to the Aboriginal story of Kakadu. Jenny is a prize winning Aboriginal guide who’ll take us for a bush tucker tour.

Mid afternoon offers you the choice of walking into the monsoon forest surrounds of the Gubara waterhole or enjoying a relaxing walk around the Anbangbang Billabong. With time on our side we'll head to Bowali Visitor Centre to enjoy a relaxing wander through this impressive interpretive display.

6 to 12 kilometres.

DAY 4

A different experience awaits us today as we climb aboard a 4WD people mover for a gentle journey into Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls. This is a terrific day out, a photographers dream come true. Standing at the foot of these towering giants as the last of the wet season waters drain off the escarpment is a powerful and unforgettable experience. One of the best days on tour. Great swimming opportunity amidst Kakadu’s most iconic locations. By the time we return it will be time to cook up something special on the bbq.

Four to eight kilometres walking

DAY 5

Today offers a busy but physically less demanding experience. After breakfast we leave our place of stay and head down the highway to Cooinda as by mid-morning it’ll be time to board the famous Yellow Waters Cruise for a journey over a floodplain teeming with wildlife. Then we head off for one of Kakadu’s prime locations in Barramundi Gorge. This is an amazing location. A long and cool waterhole with steep sided walls as its backdrop, this is a place to just sit back savior and relax in. This is Kakadu at it’s absolute best. Late afternoon sees us making tracks for Katherine and a delightful place of stay at the Knotts Crossing Resort. Dinner in a local restaurant.

About our accommodation...

Our accommodation at the Knotts Crossing Resort is in the new village motel units located next to the shaded swimming pool and landscaped gardens. Each room has it's own ensuite. Both our dinners and breakfast are in the resorts restaurant, Katies Bistro.

DAY 6

Nitimiluk National Park, aka Katherine Gorge, is ours to wander around today. We have any number of walks to choose although we have always favoured the 10 kilometre trek into Southern Rockhole. Then mid afternoon it will be time to board an open-air cruise boat and travel up Katherine Gorge for an excellent perspective on this dramatic escarpment. After our days cruising we head back to our place of stay and an a la carte meal in Katies Bistro. Tonights dinner is (OE).

DAY 7

The spectacular Edith Falls are our first port of call this morning. One of the best walking and swimming experiences awaits us as we head up to Sweetwater Pool for a 10 kilometre return walk. Then there is more time for swimming as we relax by the grassy garden surrounds at the foot of Edith Falls before heading north to Litchfield National Park. This evening we unwind in the comfortable cabins and lush surrounds of the Banyan Tree Resort

About our accommodation...

The accommodation at the Banyan Tree Resort has in each of the units a ceiling fan, AC, fridge, water heater, shower and toilet and TV. Dinner and breakfast is provided by Park Trek and served under the shade of the massive banyan tree. It's a classic NT setting.

DAY 8

Our scheduled walks today allow us to walk, swim and enjoy the very best of Litchfield. You can choose whether or not you fancy a series of short wanderings including Sandy Creek Falls or perhaps a longer more challenging walk to the top of the beautiful Wangi Falls and onto the Tabletop Plateau. We finish with a swim at Wangi, one of Litchfield’s most enchanting locations. Then we head back to our place of stay for a final night BBQ.

Approximately 6 or 10 kilometres walking.

DAY 9

Even though it is our last day we still have a lot to show you. We begin with a visit to the Magnetic Termite Mounds of Litchfield before a short walk at Tolmer Falls. Then it's on to Florence Falls and lunch at Buley Rockholes and one last swim in this delightful location. We depart for Darwin late afternoon and expect to have you disembarking around 5.00pm.