4 Day Litchfield & Kakadu Tours
Green Season January-May

DAY 1- DEPART DARWIN 7AM – WETLAND CRUISE, BOWALI, UBIRR ROCK, NARDAB FLOODPLAINS

As we head directly towards Kakadu this morning, our first adventure today is the wetland boat cruise. We board our skippered craft and venture out onto the wetlands to view the local wildlife, huge amounts of bird species, and of course our elusive crocodiles. This experience is a great introduction to our local environment, and just a taste of what is to come. After our wetland cruise we continue travelling, stopping en-route for some lunch, and soon enter Kakadu where we visit Bowali. We spend some time here having a brief look around, as your first real introduction to Kakadu National Park. This afternoon we travel north to Kakadu’s most renowned cultural site, Ubirr Rock (access permitting)- Guluyambi cultural experience may be available (optional). 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 afterwards we head to our Kakadu character accommodation or camp.

DAY 2- REMOTE & RUGGED KAKADU STONE COUNTRY, GUBARRA SPRINGS, NOURLANGIE ROCK, NAWARLANDJA LOOKOUT

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

We begin our active day with a hike into the Gubarra Springs area and explore its rugged and secluded sandstone environment. This area provides real opportunity for exploration as it is a far more remote area of Kakadu. This expedition in particular really is where our extended guiding and knowledge of Kakadu provides you with a very unique and memorable Kakadu experience. As we lead you into and around Gubarra Springs, you are exposed to an incredibly diverse range of habitats, cultural intensity unlike anywhere else in Kakadu, and inviting water features that literally flow from and through the surrounding stone country. The Gubarra Springs area remains a well-respected and favoured Kakadu destination for many long term repeat visitors to the park, as we are sure you will appreciate after our expedition. This afternoon we lead you into and around the Nourlangie Rock Region, visiting more remote rock art sites, and some shorter hikes around the area. Late in the afternoon we climb Nawarlandja lookout to witness another Kakadu scene from a very different but no less dramatic perspective. After a very active day, we return to our camp or accommodation for some well-deserved relaxation.

DAY 3- KAKADU SOUTHERN WATERFALLS & EXTENDED HIKES; MOTORCAR FALLS, BOULDER CREEK, HIKING & SWIMMING

After breakfast we travel to the far south of Kakadu and venture into the South Alligator volcanic valley. A short 4WD adventure delivers us to Kakadu’s southern hills and basins, which spring to life after our wet season rains, displaying tall seasonal waterfalls, lush vegetation and an abundance of wildlife. We have an opportunity to explore two of the southern waterfalls this morning, Motor Car Falls, and Boulder Creek.  Motor Car is a tall waterfall with a large plunge pool, nestled amongst lush monsoon forest against Kakadu’s stone country. Motor Car Falls is a little more remote and reached via a 7km return hike, but while there we take time for a refreshing swim and some snorkelling to view the aquatic life that lives beneath the surface in this extremely healthy eco- system. On our return hike from Motor Car Falls, if time permits we visit the smaller, more secluded Boulder Creek for another quick freshen up before leaving Kakadu bound for our Litchfield expedition. This afternoon we travel along the Stuart Highway to tonight’s classic “Top End” camp or character accommodation.

DAY 4- FULL DAY EXPLORING LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK; WATERFALLS, SNORKELLING, SHORT HIKES, SECLUDED WATER FEATURES & TERMITES

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 hiking, swimming and snorkelling this absolute tropical paradise. We visit and indulge ourselves in all of Litchfield’s big name attractions and features such as Wangi Falls, Tolmer Falls, Buley Rockholes, Florence Falls, and we take you away from the crowds to the more hidden gems of Litchfield. 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 2 hours drive from Litchfield, we arrive back in town around 6pm and return you to your accommodation with time to reflect on your Charter North Tour 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.).

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 our 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.

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.

For further tour information, please visit our FAQs.