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Kakadu, Katherine Gorge and Litchfield 4WD Swag Adventure, 5 Days from Darwin

Five days, three parks, a gorge cruise and four nights camping.

Five days by 4WD bus from Darwin through Kakadu, Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) and Litchfield: rock art, waterfall swims, a two-hour gorge cruise and four nights camping in permanent tents or a bush swag.

📍 Darwin & Top End ⏱ 5 Days 👥 Up to 21 🔥 Active

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Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.

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Overview

This is the long version of the Top End loop. You travel in an air-conditioned 4WD bus with an accredited outback driver-guide, camp at private campsites with camp kitchens (two nights near Jabiru, two near Katherine), and cook the meals with your guide and the group. This listing is the bush swag option, a canvas-covered bedroll with a camp mattress.

You start with Kakadu's wetlands, Ubirr at sunset and waterfall days (Gunlom, Jim Jim, Motor Car Falls or Moline Rockhole, depending on access), plus Nourlangie rock art. Then it's south to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) for a swim, a two-hour boat cruise through Nitmiluk's Katherine Gorge between 70m rock walls, and Edith Falls. The last day passes through Litchfield for the termite mounds and swimming at Buley Rockholes, Wangi Falls or Florence Falls before returning to Darwin.

Waterfall access changes through the year, and the falls typically don't open until late June. Some walks involve rocky crossings and need at least a moderate level of fitness. A sleeping bag can be hired for $40 or you can bring your own.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Ubirr rock art at sunset

  2. 2

    Kakadu waterfalls and plunge pools (conditions permitting)

  3. 3

    Two-hour Katherine Gorge cruise in Nitmiluk National Park

  4. 4

    Edith Falls and Maguk swims

  5. 5

    Litchfield's rockholes, falls and termite mounds

  6. 6

    Four nights camping, bush swag option

More photos

Itinerary at a glance

Darwin Day 1 · 5 Kakadu Days 1–2 Katherine Days 3–4 Litchfield Day 5
Your route, day by day
1 Day 1 · Darwin to Kakadu

Wetlands birdlife on the way, the Bowali Visitor Centre, Cahills Crossing and Ubirr rock art at sunset. Dinner together at camp near Jabiru.

2 Day 2 · Kakadu waterfalls and plunge pools

Hike and swim at one or more of Motor Car Falls, Jim Jim Falls, Gunlom Falls or Moline Rockhole depending on access, with a stop at the Warradjan Cultural Centre if time allows. A minimum of 40km off road each way.

3 Day 3 · Kakadu to Katherine

Nourlangie rock art, then a 4WD track south to a picnic lunch and swim at Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). Camp near Katherine for the evening.

4 Day 4 · Nitmiluk and Edith Falls

An early start for the two-hour Katherine Gorge boat cruise, then a picnic lunch and a swim at Edith Falls. Scenic helicopter flights are available at your own cost.

5 Day 5 · Katherine to Litchfield to Darwin

Magnetic termite mounds, then swims at Buley Rockholes, Wangi Falls or Florence Falls, before returning to Darwin.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • 4 nights at permanent eco-style campsites (2 near Kakadu, 2 near Katherine)
  • 4 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners (guests help prepare)
  • Bush swag with camp mattress
  • Billabong wetlands river cruise
  • Katherine Gorge cruise
  • Kakadu pass and national park entry fees
  • Guided bush walks up to 3km each day
  • Accredited outback driver-guide
  • Air-conditioned 4WD bus
  • Selected Darwin inner-city pick-up and drop-off points

✕ Not included

  • ✕Sleeping bag hire ($40, or bring your own)
  • ✕Meals not listed
  • ✕Optional scenic helicopter flights over the gorge
  • ✕Travel insurance and spending money

Common questions about this trip

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Day trips: full refund with 24 hours or more notice, 100% fee within 24 hours or for no-shows (winery tours: 100% fee within 48 hours). Short break and extended tours: Original and Adventure style get a full refund 15 or more days out and a 100% fee within 14 days; Comfort style gets a full refund 51 or more days out, 50% fee from 31 to 50 days, and 100% fee within 30 days. Unlimited free date changes are available (subject to availability) before cancellation fees apply. If the operator cancels, you can choose a full refund, rebooking, or a credit voucher valid for 3 years. Tours only run in extreme weather where safety is at risk, and non-safety weather gets no refund. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"We saw some wonderful places and the campsites were very comfortable. I would highly recommend this tour. We also met some great people also on the tour."
S

Susie P

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"We visited many locations, learnt a lot, saw lots of wild life and swam in some magical places."
W

Western_Blue_Devil

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"We were accompanied by a great set of fellow travellers that really bonded making it an absolutely amazing experience."
D

Darel M

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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