Wildlife/Crocodile Cruise
Katherine Gorge Cruise
Indigenous Culture & Rock Art
Off-Road Adventure
Stunning Waterfalls & Landscapes
Air Conditioned Accommodation
Full Day Swimming in Litchfield National Park
Remote Hiking & Exploring
More time exploring our tropical Top End- This tour is perfect for our private groups wanting to experience our beautiful tropical landscapes when they are looking their best and without the crowds. Explore Kakadu, Litchfield and Katherine Gorge National Parks in our lush tropical summer.
Our tropical wet season typically runs from November until April, and is characterised by high humidity, monsoonal rains and dramatic storms. Temperatures typically range from a minimum of 25°C to a maximum of 35°C. The heavy rains that arrive this time of year play a vital role in our seasonal calendar. Even though water can restrict activities in some areas of Kakadu, the park is so large with a range of seasonal habitats, there are still numerous opportunities to explore many areas within Kakadu. The same can also be said about Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks. The wet season is a stunning time of year to see the Top End in all its splendour! Waterfalls tumble, skies host incredible light shows, and the landscape turns a lush green.
Please scroll down to view our full tour itinerary.
January – April
From AU$2400pp (Based on 6pax)
For booking please head to our contact page
Active groups who are wanting to explore the Top End immediately after the wet season, when the country is lush and fresh and visitor numbers are low. You may encounter a range of weather conditions during the day, however, you will be relaxing in air conditioned accommodation at night. Choose between cabin style and hotel/lodge accommodation where you can also sample the local dining options, or a more affordable style of accommodation where we can fully cater for you. If you are wanting to experience some of the notorious Kakadu features such as Jim Jim & Twin Falls in full flow, then this is the perfect time for an amazing aerial perspective of these world famous Kakadu icons!
Our extended Green Season Tours combine Kakadu, Katherine Gorge & Litchfield National Parks, all three of our most popular Top End attractions, in one continuous tour. Enjoy the splendour of our green season with comfortable accommodation and without the crowds! Our professional guides will lead you through the striking cultural landscapes and stunning natural features of Kakadu, followed by a cruise through the mighty Katherine Gorge complex, then a fun-filled day of swimming in Litchfield, our favourite aquatic playground. Explore Kakadu, Katherine Gorge & Litchfield while hiking, swimming and wildlife spotting, and be guided through ancient rock shelters containing thousands of years of indigenous culture and rock art. After an active day, relax, dine and reflect on your days experiences in your comfortable character accommodation. For families and groups of friends, this tour is ideal if you would like to be fully immersed in our unique Top End environments.
We highly recommend the Jim Jim & Twin Falls scenic flight and the Pudakul Indigenous experience. Either or both are fantastic experiences that will significantly enhance your overall tour experience.
Pudakul Cultural Experience and Kakadu Scenic Flight options available
As we head directly towards Kakadu this morning, our first adventure today is the iconic Jumping Crocodile cruise (From the beginning of April a more tranquil wetland nature cruise is also available). We board our skippered craft and venture out onto the wetlands in search of our Top End wildlife species, and of course our impressive Estuarine crocodiles. After our cruise we travel onto Kakadu, stopping en-route for some lunch on the banks of the mighty South Alligator River. As we begin to make our way through Kakadu, we visit the Bowali Centre. While at Bowali we spend some time having a brief look around and introduce you to the many aspects of Kakadu National Park. This afternoon we travel to one of Kakadu’s most renowned cultural sites, either Nourlangie or Ubirr Rock (Depending on seasonal access). At the cultural sites we lead you on an intriguing cultural expedition through ancient occupational shelters viewing incredibly well preserved rock art that documents an Indigenous culture and lifestyles spanning tens of thousands of years. After our cultural journey, we climb one of many stunning lookouts through the park to witness a typically inspiring Kakadu scene. Soon afterwards we head to your chosen Kakadu accommodation.
We provide fresh healthy lunches, however while staying in hotel style accommodation you are required to purchase your own dinners and breakfasts. (Unless otherwise stated)
After breakfast we travel into the more remote areas of Kakadu to explore some of the lesser known gems of the park. A short 4WD off road adventure delivers us to one of Kakadu’s seasonal habitats that bursts to life after our wet season rains. Displaying a dramatic example of the notorious Kakadu stone country and lush vegetation hosting an abundance of wildlife, after a medium hike we have an opportunity for a refreshing dip in a secluded rain forest springs. After our morning hike and cooling off in the springs, we then travel further through Kakadu and onto Nitmiluk National Park. Our first experience in Nitmiluk is the majestic Edith Falls, one of the most popular and spectacular waterfalls in the Top End. While at Edith Falls we have an opportunity for an extended hike to the top pools of this large three tiered waterfall with a swim, or a more relaxed paddle in the large bottom plunge pool. After a picnic lunch we travel to Katherine Gorge, the main feature of Nitmiluk where we stay overnight in preparation for our boat cruise up the gorge the next morning.
This morning, immediately after breakfast we head directly into the gorge and board our boat for a tranquil cruise through this complex system. Katherine Gorge comprises of thirteen gorges in all, defined and separated by small rock bars. Our boat cruise allows us to explore up to the first three gorges, depending on your choice of cruise. With an average height of around 180 meters, this gorge system makes for a spectacular journey as we cruise upstream. Each gorge is different in shape and atmosphere and overall is an incredibly exhilarating and unique experience. There are clean sandy beaches and a combination of flowing rapids and deep calm waters. There is also an abundance of bird life, fish and freshwater crocodiles to be spotted along the journey. After your gorge cruise, you also have the option of taking a scenic helicopter flight to gain an aerial perspective of this totally stunning gorge complex. After our Nitmiluk experience and some much appreciated lunch, we travel north along the Stuart Highway to the Litchfield area and tonight’s air conditioned accommodation in preparation for tomorrow’s full day in Litchfield National Park.
Today is a full day of enjoying the aquatic playground for which Litchfield National Park is renowned for. After last night’s accommodation close to the “Litchfield Gateway” we have the added advantage of an early entry, giving us a genuine full fun day of short walks with lots of swimming in this absolute tropical paradise. We visit and indulge ourselves in all of Litchfield’s big name attractions such as Wangi Falls, Buley Rockholes and Florence Falls. And of course, lets not forget our fascinating termite supported ecology with their striking and unusually designed and built structures.
Late in the afternoon we “hit the road” for the last time and head for Darwin. Only 1.5 hours drive from Litchfield, we arrive back in town around 5pm and return you to your accommodation with time to reflect on your Charter North Tour Experience.
Cabin or hotel accommodation
Healthy meals and snacks while on tour
At Charter North 4WD Safaris, we know how important a healthy, balanced diet is for your well-being, and just because our tours are remote that does not mean that you will have to compromise your diet for the duration of your trip. Many of our tour guests still associate camping with sausages and bread, but thankfully these days are over. At Charter North, we provide freshly prepared meals incorporating all food groups in breakfast, lunch & dinner. In between meals, there will be plenty of healthy snacks to top up energy levels during our activity packed tour days. Ample cool storage space in our tour trailers allows us to carry lots of fresh vegetables & fruits along with all other ingredients for our wholesome meals. All of our guides specialize in camp fire cooking, and you will be surprised at the variety of meals we prepare for you. We cater for a range of diets (vegetarian, gluten free etc.).
Please note: On our accommodated tours, if staying in hotel style accommodation, we may not be able to prepare breakfasts and dinners for you which will be available on site. If this is the case, we will let you know through the booking process.
What our tour guests say about our food:
“The day was always started with a fresh cup of percolated coffee and a spread of cereals, breads, fresh fruit and when time permitted damper, eggs and bacon, often with an open fire. We were all surprised at the quality and variety of food prepared; Fresh, organic, delicious and plenty thereof, always thinking of the environment in our use of the camping area, roads and bush.”
“We fully expected 3 nights of BBQ sausage in rolls so it was fantastic to get a really delicious home-cooked meal every evening, from stir fries to homemade pasta sauces. Plenty of snacks and a hearty breakfast (and espresso coffee… no international roast here!) set us up for the day.”
“I was expecting 8 nights of BBQ’ed sausages, but we ended up with everything from stir fries to tacos to pasta, all cooked on an open fire. So the dinners were great, and it would be remiss of me not to mention Alina’s muesli and GT’s coffee, which got the mornings off to a great start.”
“The food was great & all meals other than lunch were cooked over the fire. We enjoyed freshly brewed coffee and cooked breakfasts (eggs and bacon; jaffles); bread cooked in the camp oven (including damper; multigrain and a banana bread); Bbqs, curries, pasta and stir fries for dinner and plenty of chocolate and marshmallows for toasting over the fire while star gazing.”
(Quotes from Charter North’s 2017/18 TripAdvisor reviews)
At Charter North 4WD Safaris, our guests’ safety, comfort and well-being always comes first. Through a number of mechanisms, we ensure that you are well looked after, well informed and getting the most out of your valuable holiday at all times. After all, a holiday should be relaxing and enjoyable, and you are in the right hands with Charter North.
Our Tour Guides
All of our tour guides have many years of experience and comprehensive knowledge of our tour destinations. They are personable, responsible and approachable and will ensure that you truly experience and learn about your chosen destination, not just see it. Our guides are accredited, trained in remote first aid and most importantly passionate about their work, people and the environment.
Our tour vehicles & trailers
Charter North’s tour vehicles and trailers are purpose prepared for the sometimes rough and often challenging conditions characteristic of our tour destinations. They are equipped with the latest safety features and emergency communications to ensure a safe and comfortable journey. Our modern luxury 4wds are the most comfortable available on the market, and fitted with upgraded suspension to “smoothen out the ride” even further. They are fitted with air-conditioning and curtain airbags throughout, and designed for quiet acoustics allowing us to converse freely as we travel. All vehicles and trailers are serviced and maintained to the highest standards and beyond recommended service intervals to minimise any risk of mechanical issues on tour.
Our camping equipment
Charter North’s camping equipment is chosen with care to provide the most suitable and comfortable options available. We test and approve any equipment we use, with an emphasis on products that are easy to manage, fast to set up, light weight and of course comfortable. On our camping programs, we use dome tents that are easy to set up and cool through warmer nights. Our swags are fitted with high density foam mattresses, sheets and pillows.
For further tour information, please visit our FAQs.