Outstanding Experience with Charter North
I have just returned from a three-day safari into the Kakadu and Lichfield National Parks with Charter North! I travelled with my two sons aged 9 and 6 so I was a little apprehensive of taking two small children into the bush for three days! But I really didn’t need to worry, our guide Dan was simply superb! In fact both my boys cried last night when we got back to Darwin as they missed him so much! He was brilliantly entertaining and knowledgeable about everything from the best swimming holes, aboriginal culture and history, the flora and fauna (i haven’t heard so much Latin in years) and he even had two fussy eaters eating ants and flowers for breakfast (bush tucker). His love and passion for the parks was obvious and very infectious! I cannot praise Charter North enough for their help with organising the trip and the quality of the experience and their support during it, even packing snacks and treats for the boys! Small, locally owned and very caring, A high quality outfit! Thank you Charter North for giving me and my boys an outstanding (too) short trip into Kakadu and Lichfield National Parks!!Travelled on 3 Day Kakadu & Litchfield Tour in May 2021.Simon- Brisbane
Four Day Tour of Kakadu
We have just returned from a wonderful four-day tour of Kakadu with Charter North. From first contact early last year we felt confident that Greig and Alina would help us shape a tour in line with our interests and abilities. We were keen to see as much rock art as possible while learning more about indigenous life in that extraordinary landscape. The geology and birdlife were also of great interest. We saw so much, we are still digesting it all. The diversity of birdlife on the many wetlands and walks to the astounding art at Nourlangie and Nanguluwur were highlights. Two cruises - one cultural on the edge of Arnhem Land and one rich in crocs and birds at Cooinda - added much to our understanding. As fit but older travellers, we saw that a Charter North driver/guide would free us up to enjoy all that the Park has to offer, and in this we were most fortunate to travel with Dan. He was great company and his depth of knowledge about our areas of interest, his quiet efficiency, steady driving and ability to find a shady spot for a healthy breakfast or lunch was most impressive. Charter North's recent-model vehicle was in excellent condition and extremely comfortable. We chose to use overnight accommodation and enjoyed our stays at Jabiru and Cooinda. We'd love to travel with Charter North again and it's a pleasure to recommend their servicesTravelled on accommodated 4 Day Kakadu Tour in May 2021.Carole & Peter- Broken Head
Kimberley 9 day experience
As Greig Taylor, our driver and guide, said "this trip is an experience" and he certainly made it so. He was very knowledgeable about the country and wildlife and, despite difficult conditions, gave us a memorable trip. In fact, at the end, my husband wanted to turn around and do it again. I thoroughly recommend Charter North as they are committed to, and genuinely care about, both the country and their customers.Travelled on accommodated 9 Day Kimberley Tour in May 2021.Margaret & Brian- Perth
4 Day Wet Season Tour
Family of 4 (kids 11 and 9) did the 4 day wet season tour through Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield. GT was an amazing tour guide. His knowledge of the parks and friendly nature meant that we immediately relaxed and knew he was going to take care of everything. His extensive experience meant that he could modify the tour in real time to fit the kids and found an incredible swimming hole off the beaten path that we could enjoy by ourselves in the middle of a long hike on a warm sunny day. Definitely recommend it for families looking for an alternative to the run of the mill beach holiday.Travelled on 4 Day Green Season Tour in April 2021.Josh- Sydney
Fantastic tour of beautiful wet season Kakadu and Litchfield NP
From the moment he picked us up from our hotel to when he dropped us off at the end of our trip, GT was warm, easy-going and relaxed. It was like having an old friend show you around their hometown, chatting comfortably as if you’d known him forever. Our teenagers also found him approachable and likable. GT clearly has an extensive breadth of knowledge and experience in place, nature, culture and history, sharing this at opportune times in a casual manner that always felt incidental, rather than a lecture. He took us to delightful places we could never have found on our own in Kakadu, especially during the green season when many sites were not yet open. We never felt rushed, nor did we have too long anywhere – everything seemed to work out just right, something which requires the talents of a skilled operator to achieve. Each day we were given options to choose from depending on our energy levels at the time (considerably affected by the heat!). He accommodated our interests and made the most of opportunities arising – eg turning the car back on spotting a large crocodile in a culvert next to the highway so that we all got to see it. The 4WD was clean and comfortable. The food was healthy and delicious. Everything was really just so easy and pleasant. Our trip had been delayed a year from our original booking due to COVID, and the communications with Charter North throughout all that unknown period were excellent. We cannot speak highly enough of this tour operator.Travelled on 3 Day Green Season Tour in April 2021.Becky- Gold Coast
Kakadu and Katherine
We were a party of 4 (two couples in our sixties). We felt very safe and well looked after by GT on our 5 day 4 night private tour to Kakadu and Katherine. We were involved in planning the tour and Alina answered all our questions quickly. In the year of Corona there has been much disruption to tourism and we were very lucky to be able to travel to NT from SA. GT was very conscious of keeping us safe. He was an excellent driver and his vehicle was immaculate when he collected us from our hotel. We did the Corroboree Billabong cruise and visited Ubirr on the first day which were both wonderful. We camped at Sandy Billabong the first two nights in tents and swags which came with sheets and pillows The tents protected us from the mosquitoes and after the challenges of setting up the first night we found it easy for the rest of the trip. GT worked long days caring for us. All our evening meals were on the camp fire and were healthy and nutritious. My favourite was the salmon, salad and potatoes. Breakfast was coffee, tea, juice, muesli , fruit and toast with spreads. Lunch was wraps and rolls with salad and fruit. Day two we visited Nourlangie and Jim Jim Falls. The rock scrambling into the falls was challenging but we were rewarded with a sandy beach and a swim. We loved the rock art and stories at Ubirr and Nourlangie. We visited Maguk and Gunlom more beautiful swimming spots. The camp at Gunlom had showers and was in a pretty location. On the way to Katherine we stopped at Pine Creek, we had another swim and lunch at Edith Falls ( Leliyn) then on to Katherine. Our final day was canoeing and swimming in Nitmiluk Gorge which we loved. It was an adventure for us where someone else did all the driving, guiding and meal preparation thank you GT and Alina.Travelled on 5 Day Kakadu & Katherine Gorge Tour in August 2020.Heather- Adelaide
Wonderful guide, beautiful sights
We were the first trip to be run by Charter North after the national parks were closed down due to COVID. Our guide, GT fully embraced the need for social distancing practices for both our and his own protection. GT planned a sensational trip, taking us to all of Kakadu's stunning locations and proving additional local knowledge that we would never have been privy to without him. GT was extremely flexible and at our request, while we were already in Kakadu, added an additional sunset cruise to the program. We had a couple of dietary requirements in our group and each was met perfectly. The food was healthy, delicious and perfect for fuelling us before and after days filled with exploring. We stayed in the 'Taj' which was very comfortable and resulted in a great few nights sleep. Thanks again GT, we will always remember this trip. Highly recommend. Five stars.Travelled on 4 Day Private Kakadu Camping Tour in July 2020.Paige- Darwin
A great day in Litchfield National Park
We spent a day with Greig visiting Litchfield National Park. He picked us promptly at our holiday apartment and we chatted about everything and nothing as we headed toward our destination! The country is stunning as is the quiet. We visited termite hills and falls as Greig provided us with some background - but not in an overwhelming way. In fact, he enjoyed answering all of our questions. After stopping at two falls, we had a coffee break and then visited more falls, including a challenging 137 steps down and back up! We had a lovely fresh lunch spread served up by Greig before we walked to Sandy Creek and its falls. My favourite spot I think and we enjoyed a swim across the pool to the falls. Heading back toward Darwin we visited Wangi Falls and paused for some afternoon tea before setting off for Darwin. Our calves were sore the following morning so we know we'd had some exercise as well as fun with Greig whilst seeing the beautiful country at first hand. Not to forget the sparklingly clean 4WD which we travelled in, although pretty dusty by the end of the day. A great experience and thoroughly recommended!Travelled on 1 Day private Litchfield Tour in July 2020.Kevin & Sandra- Adelaide
Exploration and information
Greg is loquacious, informative, accessible and extremely efficient. He multi tasked .. drove (a long way), talked, provided picnics, cooked dinner, made good coffee and remained cheery throughout. We shall remember him for his great friendliness and he even gave us advice as to how to fill 3 more days in Darwin. Would unreservedly recommend this trip, particularly if you enjoy swimming in waterfalls.Travelled on 3 Day Kakadu and Litchfield Green Season Tour in March 2020.Zaida- Broken Head
Professional, friendly and fun
Thanks so much Charter North for taking us on this awesome adventure. I would recommend this trip to anyone who values traveling with an experienced, knowledgeable and professional guide. Greig (GT) worked incredibly hard to ensure our small group had the best experience possible. Admittedly our little group was a pretty cool bunch of people anyway... looking at you Stuart and JW 🙂 The food was delicious and fresh (Alina makes the best muesli), the vehicle was comfy and cool, the landscape and the waterholes were amazing. I had never visited the NT before and thanks to this well run trip along with GT's stories I feel like I have a better general understanding of the region. I have not even left yet but am looking forward to returning in the future for more exploration. Thanks Charter North and thanks GTTravelled on accommodated 3 Day Kakadu & Litchfield Green Season Tour in March 2020.Ruben- Broken Head
Fabulous & rewarding experience!
What a great 3 days/2nights we had in Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks! Grieg (GT) is a very experienced tour guide knowing all the great spots and how to beat the big coach groups. He is a fun storyteller and a great cook, excellent host - paying great attention to all people in our mixed group tour of 2+3. If you don’t like big(er) groups, then out of all the private tours we researched we reckon this is the best for exploring the surroundings of the NT and it’s parks. Thanks a million. We shall remember this forever.Travelled on accommodated 3 Day Kakadu & Litchfield Green Season Tour in March 2020.Stuart & JW- UK
Memorable, fascinating 2-day guided tour of Kakadu in the dry
We spent 2 glorious days in searing heat visiting Kakadu - seeing exciting and thought-provoking indigenous art. unbelievable bird life, an indescribable number of crocodiles and enjoying the scenery and expert guiding. Charter North's Greig picked us up as planned at Darwin, recommended and organised accommodation, guided us expertly and knew exactly where to go - full of interesting tales of the park in the wet and the dry and of the region. CN were responsive, flexible and a pleasure to deal with.Travelled on accommodated 2.5 Day Kakadu Tour in November 2019.Daniel- UK
Four memorable days in Kakadu
My husband & I had an incredible visit to the Top End, thanks to our guide JT & Charter North. It was our first trip to Australia, & it more than lived up to our expectations. We saw an amazing array of wildlife on a cruise, visits to billabongs & while walking in the bush to plunge pools for refreshing swims. JT has an expansive knowledge of the area’s flora & fauna, as well as Australia & the Northern Territory history/politics in particular. He also has a wonderful sense of humor. Our accommodations were great, immersing us in the local landscape. Waking up to the sound of cockatoos was an unforgettable experience. I especially enjoyed JT’s explanations of the meanings behind Aboriginal rock paintings dating back thousands of years. If you’re looking for an experienced guide in the NT, look no further than Charter North. Highly recommended!Travelled on accommodated 4 Day Kakadu Tour in October 2019.Marian & Adam- US
Fabulous 3 days in Kakadu with Charter North
GT was our fabulous host and guide on our 3 day/2 night trip to Kakadu. We were 4 in his comfortable Toyota Land Cruiser and he entertained us royally with his wit and enthusiasm, his picnic lunches, but above all with his intimate knowledge of the flora, fauna, history and customs of the region. We were there in mid October and it was as hot as you'd want it to be, but the car a/c worked fine and was very welcome after our various walks to see rock paintings and waterfalls. GT showed us all the features of this amazing landscape and we loved every moment of his company.Travelled on accommodated 3 Day Kakadu Tour in November 2019.Jean Paul & Carine- Belgium
Darwin to Broome, Kakadu and Kimberley
We are 2 couples in our 60’s and 70’s, and had never visited “the top end”. We decided to join GT and Charter north for a 12 day camping tour. We had concerns about out fitness, ability to cope with tents, swags, reduced access to bathroom facilities, extreme heat, and large distances. We were all very pleased with what we encountered. We were aware that end of September would be hot but chose to travel then regardless, but generally we found we coped with walks into gorges etc. Charter north was very thorough in the itinerary, planning, equipment, preparation, and online advice. There were no surprises encountered. The vehicle was well prepared for the conditions and generally comfortable. The tents were simple, easy to erect, the swags were comfortable (though sleeping on the ground took a little getting used to). Food was healthy and plentiful. Breakfasts consisted of cereal fruit toast coffee, lunches were mainly salads, wraps or rolls, meats and cheese, fruit, and evening meals were a variety of BBQs, roast vegetables, pasta and rice dishes, different every night. We chose to spend one night in chalet accommodation at a station on day 6 with a dinner and breakfast included. Days start early, sunrise usually, and this time of day was ideal for walking in the environs of the camp before the heat got too intense. The drives were fascinating as the landscape changed in nature, and were interspersed with regular comfort stops. Most nights were spent near a gorge, or a waterfall, or stunning rock formation. So evening strolls allowed for excellent sunsets whilst olooking for birds and watching the freshwater crocodiles along the banks. GT, our guide and driver has vast experience of the region and detailed knowledge of the fauna flora geology and history of the region, and not a bad chef as well. Several members of our group were very keen on bird watching and spotting and he engaged in assisting the “search”. He was good at ensuring everyone was well equipped and that everyone was included in discussions and their needs considered, whilst still adhering to a tight itinerary and schedule. I think we all found him very approachable and easy to talk to. We purchased a number of add ons: the yellow water billabong sunset tour was spectacular, not to be missed. The accommodation at home valley station allowed a break from the tents and opportunity to do washing. Handy. The helicopter ride over the bungle bungles: we concluded that as a helicopter experience for those that had not previously flown this was a great place to do it. However we felt that it did not add to our appreciation of the bungle bungles themselves, which we felt had been gained by the treks into the ravines and watching these amazing structures from various vantage points at dawn and dusk. Overall, we had a superb experience, and would recommend Charter North to anyone prepared to depart from the usual hotel based bus format guided tour group model.Travelled on custom 12 Day Kimberley & Kakadu Tour in September 2019.Ita- UK
Fantastic 9 day trip in the Kimberley
"We had a private trip for 4 of us (2 couples) and it exceeded expectations. The Kimberley is a spectacular place to visit and this trip incorporated the highlights of the area but often we were the only people there. We were in the very capable hands of GT our expert guide whose 20 years of experience and knowledge was invaluable in finding fantastic bush camps and knowing the best places and locations to go to, as well as being good company. Sleeping under the stars in a comfortable swag was an amazing experience and GT was able to rustle up great food over the campfire including freshly brewed coffee for breakfast. There was a good balance of walking in spectacular scenery and being able to cool off in beautiful bodies of water. All the communication prior to the trip with Alina was excellent and very prompt- I felt we had plenty of information to prepare for the trip and we all thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Highly recommended." Travelled on private 9 Day Kimberley Tour in September 2019.Margaret & John- UK
Incredible 9 day overland trip from Broome to Darwin with Charter North
"Four of us, 50-60 YOA, have just finished a 9 day tour from Broome to Darwin with Charter North. The trip was absolutely fantastic. Alina made all the bookings and arrangements easy to do and GT was the best guide/chef/camper wrangler you could ask for. The scenery included desert, gorges, lakes, waterfalls, Aboriginal rock paintings and the amazing landforms at Purnululu National Park. Activities included hiking, swimming and experiencing crocodiles, wallaroos and archer fish up close and personal while sunset boating on Argyle lake. GT was extremely knowledgeable about the areas covered (3200 kms!), the plants and animals encountered and had a real knack for finding areas that were private even when there were other campers in the area in which we were staying/visiting. For the bush camps, we were completely out in the bush, very quiet and peaceful and an amazing night sky with no light pollution. GTs campfire meals were delicious and varied, and all the more impressive as he was feeding 1 vegetarian, 2 pescatarians and a carnivore hundreds of kilometres from the nearest store. He frequently checked with us to make sure we were all getting the most from the experience, and we always were. The camping was comfy as was both the space and ride in our vehicle, even over some of the rougher terrain the Kimberly has to offer. As other reviewers have mentioned, a 30 min or greater helicopter view of the Bungles Bungles and gorges at Purnululu National Park was definitely a worthwhile addition. All in all, a truly rare experience perfected by the excellent preparation and implementation of Charter North! Thanks again!" Travelled on 9 Day private Kimberley Tour in September 2019.Connie & Jim- UK
Bucket List Ticked and Thoroughly Enjoyed
"We would like to thank you for the amazing time we had in Kakadu with Sean. He was an organised & knowledgeable guide, excellent driver and a talented chef (for a non coffee drinker, he serves up a good brew). The food you organised was plentiful & delicious. The car was spacious & extremely comfortable. As we were the last tour before the wet season, a special thanks for your advice on staying in air conditioned accommodation in lieu of camping. After hiking each day in the extreme heat, our rooms were greatly appreciated! We would have no hesitation in recommending your services in future." Travelled on private 4 Day Kakadu Tour in September 2019.Sandra & Colin- Australia
Exploring Kakadu with a deeply knowledgeable guide added more than I could have imagined to this memorable experience
"Kakadu is an enormous park, hot and dry by mid September. But every day GT brought us to some miraculous gorge or billabong, where we walked or climbed to discover beautiful swimming holes, or stretches of water full of crocodiles and birdlife. We got informed answers to our endless questions about trees, birds, insects, and routes taken by explorers. We were also being guided through this extraordinary landscape by someone with a deep respect for and knowledge about the region's Indigenous communities and their way of life. We also laughed a great deal, ate too much good food and travelled in style." Travelled on private 4 Day Kakadu Tour with Camper Trailer in September 2019.Belinda- Melbourne
Trip of a lifetime
"GT and Alina from Charter North organised an incredible trip for our group of 6 (family and friends). We loved the breathtaking scenery, birds and animals in Kakadu and were incredibly comfortable in GT's Toyota Land Cruiser tour vehicle. The camping was magical, with delicious food and amazing sunsets. "The Taj" trailer tent featured the most comfortable queen size beds you could imagine for camping. We had a brilliant time and will be recommending this tour with Charter North to our friends and family in Sydney, Melbourne and the UK." Travelled on private 4 Day Kakadu Camper Trailer Tour in September 2019.Jonny- Australia/ UK
