4 Day Kakadu Tours

DAY 1- DEPART DARWIN 7AM – WETLANDS, BOWALI, UBIRR, NARDAB LOOKOUT

As we head directly towards Kakadu this morning, our first experience is a boat cruise on the Mary River wetlands. Normally teaming with bird life this time of year, we board our skippered craft and head out onto the wetlands to photograph and admire the many bird and wildlife species that inhabit this specialist habitat. We then continue travelling towards Kakadu, stopping enroute for some lunch, soon entering Kakadu where we visit the Bowali Center. We spend some time here having a brief look around, and introducing you to the many and varied aspects of Kakadu National Park. This afternoon we travel north to Kakadu’s most renowned cultural site, Ubirr Rock. While at Ubirr we lead you on an amazing cultural expedition through ancient occupational shelters, and view rock art that documents an Indigenous culture and lifestyles spanning tens of thousands of years. After our cultural journey through time, we climb to the stunning Nardab Lookout to witness a typically inspiring Kakadu panorama over the expansive Nardab floodplains. Soon we head to camp for our first night under the stars and some camp fire tucker, or your chosen accommodation.

Day 2- CENTRAL KAKADU, JIM JIM FALLS EXPEDITION

Today we delve deeper into Kakadu’s cultural heartland as we penetrate the more remote and diverse habitats of the park. Rainforests, Stone Country, Woodlands and Waterfalls.

We start our active day by tackling the 4WD track to Jim Jim Falls (when accessible), while the imposing Kakadu stone country begins to close in around us. Before continuing to Jim Jim Falls, we stop to set tonight’s camp, some lunch and a break after the drive. After lunch we negotiate the last section of the 4WD track to arrive at Jim Jim Gorge. We hike into Jim Jim Gorge in the late afternoon and scramble our way through the gorge to the falls and large plunge pool. At the plunge pool we have time for a swim and to admire the towering sandstone walls that surround us. While everyone else leaves the gorge, we remain and absorb the peaceful quiet of this truly stunning landscape as the sun drops to reveal its striking colours. After enjoying some peace and tranquillity, we return to our camp at dusk and in time once again to enjoy the “Big Sky” as we prepare another feast for you over the camp fire.

DAY 3: ARNHEM LAND PLATEAU, TWIN FALLS & GORGE

Today we discover the Arnhem Land Plateau and escarpments, while experiencing the dominant geological forces and aquatic environments of Kakadu.

Our journey this morning begins with a 4WD expedition as we travel the remote tracks of Kakadu, crossing Jim Jim creek, before being confronted with the Twin Falls escarpment and gorge (when accessible). Upon arrival at Twin Falls, we take a short hike to the entrance of Twin Falls Gorge, where we take a cultural cruise through the gorge with the traditional owners of Kakadu. As we explore the beautiful remote nature of the Arnhem Land Plateau, and cruise the gorge, we listen and reflect on the views and knowledge of the Aboriginal people of this area. We then disembark the boat and hike to the beach and waterfall  for a swim and picnic lunch. After our Twin Falls expedition, we make the return journey along the 4WD track stopping en route for another amazing sunset from one of Kakadu’s more secretive lookouts! On completion of our full active day, we return to our camp for another night under the stars and more campfire treats.

Day 4- MAGUK, CENTRAL KAKADU, SOUTH ALLIGATOR RIVER

Another day of 4WD adventure, swimming and hiking awaits us as we head further south to explore one of Kakadu’s most favoured aquatic environments.

After another nourishing breakfast and camp pack up, we negotiate the 4WD track into Maguk to arrive at a lush tropical setting (when accessible). A short hike along Barramundi Creek surrounded by tall paperbarks and monsoon forests eventually brings us to another of Kakadu’s inviting waterfalls and large plunge pool. Surrounded by tropical vegetation nestled among the contrasting stone country, the waters of Maguk are not only a visual and photographic delight, but also incredibly enticing. Its not hard to understand, after spending time here, why this oasis is still today one of the favourite hunting, fishing and recreation areas for our local indigenous groups. After absorbing this tropical paradise, some spectacular photography opportunities and perhaps a swim, it’s time for us to “hit the track” and make our way back to Darwin. Rather than replicate our highway drive, we take the alternative 4WD track through central Kakadu, just to give you more of the “Raw Kakadu”. On this 4WD journey it is not uncommon to encounter several bird species on the vast floodplains, buffalo or other bovinae in the tropical savannas, or fish and crocodiles in the rivers and billabongs. En route we stop on the banks of Kakadu’s largest river system, the South Alligator, for a picnic lunch before crossing its depths and continuing on to Darwin. We arrive back in Darwin after our Kakadu expedition and return you to your accommodation for a well earned rest, and time to reflect on your Charter North Kakadu experience.

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 attribute camping to sausages and bread, but thankfully these days are over. At Charter North, we provide freshly prepared meals incorporating all food groups at 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 are great camp fire cooks and you will be surprised at the variety of meals they prepare for you. We cater for a range of diets (vegetarian, gluten free etc.). Read more about our meals here.

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 mechanism, 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. Click here for more information about our team.

Our tour vehicles & trailers

Charter North’s tour vehicles and trailers are suited to the sometimes rough and often challenging conditions characteristic of our tour destinations, and are equipped with the latest safety features and emergency communications. Our modern luxury 4WDs are the most comfortable available in 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 you to converse freely. 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 either high density foam mattresses or deluxe self-inflating foam mattresses. We provide pillows and fresh pillow slips on all tours. For even more camping comfort, we have created our camper trailer product, available for all private tours and unique in the Top End.

For further tour information, please visit our FAQs.