Darwin → Cairns 11-Day Savannah Way Explorer

Trip highlights

• Kakadu National Park rock art (Ubirr)
• Mataranka hot springs swim
• Lawn Hill Gorge canoe + swim
• Undara lava tube walk
• Bush swag camping under the stars
• Aboriginal cultural commentary

Itinerary at a glance

1. 1

   Day 1 · Darwin → Kakadu

   Pickup Darwin, drive to Kakadu NP, Ubirr rock art at sunset, camp.

2. 2

   Day 2 · Kakadu

   Yellow Water cruise (saltwater crocs), Cahills Crossing, more rock art.

3. 3

   Day 3 · Katherine + Mataranka

   Katherine Gorge boat or canoe, swim in Mataranka thermal pools, camp.

4. 4

   Day 4 · Mataranka → Limmen

   Drive south through cattle country to Limmen NP.

5. 5

   Day 5 · Limmen + Borroloola

   Lost City rock formations, freshwater swims.

6. 6

   Day 6 · Borroloola → Lawn Hill

   Long drive to Lawn Hill Gorge — the Top End's secret oasis.

7. 7

   Day 7 · Lawn Hill

   Canoe the gorge, swim under the waterfalls, hike Lawn Hill rim.

8. 8

   Day 8 · Lawn Hill → Croydon

   Drive east toward the Gulf savannah.

9. 9

   Day 9 · Croydon → Undara

   Through old gold-rush country to Undara's lava tubes.

10. 10

    Day 10 · Undara tubes

    Guided walk through 190,000-year-old lava tubes.

11. 11

    Day 11 · Undara → Cairns

    Final drive through the Atherton Tablelands into Cairns, drop-off afternoon.

Common questions about this trip

• What's a swag?

  Aussie bush bed — heavy canvas bedroll with a built-in mattress, you sleep right on the ground under the stars. Surprisingly comfortable. They get rolled out around the campfire each night.

• What if I can't camp for 10 nights?

  Then this isn't your trip. It's genuinely outback — no hotels, no hot showers most nights, no WiFi for days. If that's not you, do the East Coast instead. If it is — it's transformative.

• Best months to go?

  May-September. Top End is monsoon wet Nov-Apr — most operators don't run then anyway. June-August is bone dry and tolerable temperature. April and October are shoulder.

• How fit do I need to be?

  If you can walk 8km a day and you're generally healthy, you're good. The trip involves hiking through gorges, rocky creek beds, occasional swimming and a bit of climbing. Not extreme — but it's not a coach tour either.

• Can I do this if I'm pregnant?

  Not recommended. The roads are corrugated and bumpy (rough on the body), uneven hiking ground, and you're days from a hospital. Wait until after.

• Do I bring my own sleeping bag?

  Yes. May-September especially: bring a -5°C bag. Nights drop below zero in the Top End desert and you'll be sleeping under open sky in a swag. Cold = miserable. A good bag = transformative experience.

• Dietary needs — vego, GF, allergies?

  Vego and GF catered as standard. Other allergies — flag at booking, the guides may ask for your help during meal prep so they don't cross-contaminate. Continental brekkies, lunches are wraps/sandwiches/salads, dinners are roasts/stir-frys/curries/stews/damper.

• What if I have to cancel?

  Tiered: within 14 days of start = 100% fee. 14-28 days = 50%. 28-365 days = 25%. Travel insurance covers genuine emergencies (illness, family stuff). Worth getting it.

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Photos