Tour Overview
Tour code: 5KA
Embark on a thrilling 5-day 4WD Kakadu and Koolpin Safari.
Explore the cultural and natural wonders of Kakadu National Park, including the iconic Ubirr rock art, Jim Jim Falls (or Yurmikmik region and Motor Car Falls, if Jim Jim Falls is closed), and the secluded Koolpin Gorge. Swim in pristine plunge pools at Maguk, Gunlom Falls, and Moline Rockhole, and cruise the Yellow Waters at sunset. Enjoy exclusive access to remote locations, camp under the stars in safari tents, and connect with the region’s rich heritage and wildlife on this immersive outback adventure.
BEST PRICE GUARANTEED
From:
AUD $1,845
(Price includes national park entrance fee)
Departs: Friday (June – August)
Or pay in 4 with
Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
Operates
June – August
Fitness Level
4 / 5
Recommended Age
8 years+
Group Size
12
Accommodation Style
Safari Tent and Swag
Tour Highlights
- Visit the world-famous Ubirr for views over the Nardab floodplains and into Arnhem Land
- 4 Wheel driving to Jim Jim Falls (or Yurmikmik region and Motor Car Falls, if Jim Jim Falls is closed)
- Warradjan Cultural Centre
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise on the famous Yellow Waters
- Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) hike through paperbark forests & swim in the pristine plunge pool
- Gunlom Falls
- Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge), a special permit restricted area, hike & swim
- Ikoymarrwa (Moline Rockhole)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting Point
Pick up from most central Darwin locations between 8.00-8.30am
End Point
Return to Darwin at approximately 5pm *We recommend not to book a departing Darwin flight earlier than 8.30pm
Inclusions
All Territory Expeditions experiences include:
- Small groups
- Great walks / hikes that avoid huge crowds
- Interpretation of the natural and cultural features of the Northern Territory
- Swimming in idyllic locations
- Ancient rock-art
- Great lookouts for great photo-ops
- Wildlife & crocodile cruise
Exclusions
What to bring
Important: Luggage is strictly restricted to a soft bag of 10kg per person
- Good walking shoes or boots
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- A wide-brimmed sun hat
- Long sleeve light shirt for sun protection
- 1-litre water bottle for drinking water
- Swimmers/ bathers/ togs
- Light, comfortable clothing for 3 days
- Jacket (for June, July, and August nights)
- Medication and other personal requirements
- Towel
- Torch/flashlight
- Phone charging bank (power is available at some camps)
- Day pack for short hikes
- Sleeping bag (can be hired for $20, please advise when booking)
Itinerary
Day 1: Darwin – Kakadu
Pick up at 8.00 – 8.30am from your nominated accommodation in Darwin.
We start our Kakadu tour by heading towards the world heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, with a stopover and the iconic Australiana Bark Hut for quick refreshment.
Stop & enjoy the sights of the tidal East Alligator River with the opportunity to spot some crocs and flying foxes!
Then on to the world famous Ubirr in the North of the park. Some of the best examples of Northern Australian rock art can be found here. Learn about the art from your guide and the meaning behind these special paintings. A climb to the top is rewarded with staggering 360º views over the Nardab Floodplains and into Arnhem Land.
Tonight, we camp at our exclusive safari camp at Mardukal Billabong in the heart of Kakadu. Enjoy sitting around an open campfire enjoying a cool beverage or a toasted marshmallow.
Walking distance: 3 km
Meals: Lunch & dinner
Day 2: Kakadu
After breakfast, we do some 4-wheel driving to Jim Jim Falls. A 1 km walk through the gorge surrounded by towering 200m high sandstone cliffs leads to the impressive plunge pool for a well-deserved refreshing swim or simply relax on the beach whilst taking in the breathtaking views. If access to Jim Jim Falls is closed, don’t worry; we’ll visit another one of Kakadu’s natural attractions instead. The Yurmikmik region of Southern Kakadu includes Motor Car Falls, one of the few options offering walks to waterfalls, swimming holes, and panoramic viewpoints.
A visit to the Warradjan Cultural Centre is a wonderful opportunity to gain some insight into the traditional owners of Kakadu through interactive displays and demonstrations.
This evening, we will enjoy a 2-hour Sunset Cruise on the famous Yellow Waters. Here, we will have the opportunity to see spectacular wildlife, including abundant birdlife and crocodiles in their natural habitat.
We then return to our safari camp at Mardukal Billabong and relax around the campfire after some dinner.
Walking distance: 5 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
* Please note that Kakadu National Park has made the decision to close Jim Jim Falls for the 2026 dry season, so departures during this period will visit the Yurmikmik region and Motor Car Falls instead.
Day 3: Kakadu
After some breakfast we then make our way to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). A 1km hike through a paperbark forest with some rock scrambling leads to the plunge pool for a cool swim in a pristine environment, teeming with black bream and barramundi this is a place like no other.
This afternoon is spent exploring Gunlom Falls in the Southern end of Kakadu. A hike to the top is rewarded with a swim in the naturally occurring infinity pools whilst taking in the panoramic views of Southern Kakadu. The bottom plunge pool and beach are not to be missed, made famous in the Crocodile Dundee movie it’s a great place to relax and soak up the atmosphere of this special place.
Tonight, we camp at Gunlom Falls in tents and swags.
Walking distance: 5 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4: Kakadu
Today, we spend the entire day exploring the magnificent Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge), the jewel in the crown, this is a special permit access area that is recognised for its cultural and environmental sensitivity.
Territory Expeditions is the only tour operator that can offer regular tours to this area and is grateful to the traditional owners for allowing us to have this opportunity.
The walk up the gorge is a real wilderness walk and requires a proficient level of fitness with great rewards on arrival to some of the National Parks, most spectacular rock pools, waterfalls, and rock landscapes.
This remote location is restricted to only 40 people per day and is home to several endemic species of flora and fauna.
Tonight, we camp at Gunlom Falls in tents and swags.
Walking distance: 5-8 km
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 5: Kakadu
This morning, we visit Old Goodparla Homestead, this was one of the first cattle stations occupied by the early pastoralists of the Kakadu region before being declared a national park. A fantastic opportunity to see how Europeans lived and struggled in the early days with many of the remnants remaining, a glimpse into the past.
Then we visit Ikoymarrwa (Moline Rockhole), a special permit area that is spring fed and flows all year round, this is the last opportunity for a swim in Kakadu before preparing for the drive back to Darwin.
Return to Darwin via the historic town of Pine Creek, arriving back in Darwin at approximately 5pm.
Walking distance: 2km
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Small print and important information
- All tours must be reconfirmed 24 hrs prior to travel.
- We welcome all passengers aged 8 and above who have a high level of fitness, mobility, and a sense of adventure. Before booking, passengers should carefully review the itineraries to ensure they can comfortably complete the distances stated for each day, often in high temperatures.
- Travel insurance is highly recommended to travellers who embark on any tours with Territory Expeditions.
- All itineraries are subject to change without notice due to mechanical failures, seasonal and extreme weather conditions, closures of National Park roads or attractions, and cultural commitments from Traditional owners. For operational reasons or other reasons beyond our control, we may need to operate substitute vehicles or change tour activities. We will give you as much notice as possible of any such changes. Please note, Territory Expeditions will not be held responsible for any of the above that is outside of our control.
- The itinerary may be done in reverse at the guides discretion.
- Click here for full terms & conditions and cancellation information.
- Our tours are focused on adventure. This includes 4WD vehicles on rough and rugged dirt tracks, longer hikes, and swims. You will get dirty and be challenged. This is not a luxury bus tour. Your accommodation is camping in a permanent safari tent with the option to sleep in a swag.
Cancellation Policy
- Minimum 20% non-refundable deposit to confirm bookings of regular departures
- 100% payable for all cancellations within 7 days of departure
- 50% payable for all cancellations between 8-29 days prior to departure
- 20% payable for all cancellations made outside 30 days of departure
- You are strongly advised to take out travel insurance which covers you for cancellation, at the time of booking. If you leave a tour for any reason after it has commenced, we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services. If you fail to join a tour, join it after departure, or leave it prior to its completion, no refund will be provided. If you have booked through a travel agent, which may also include other travel components, please contact them directly
Travel Conditions
- Please note that while we operate successful trips in this region throughout the year, some changes may occur in our itineraries due to inclement weather and common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for modifications to the route.
What people have to say about us
Territory Expeditions is the top-rated provider of Kakadu Tours, Litchfield Tours, and Koolpin Tours, offering expert guides, small groups, and exclusive access to unforgettable destinations.
Overall Rating 4.7 (300): Tripadvisor 4.8 (213), Google 4.5 (68), Facebook 4.4 (19)
- Wen ★★★★★
on TripadvisorBest guide ever, and a memorable experience!
Betty was a super guide and she went extra miles making the experience amazing and unforgettable! We had 12 people in the group and the trip was well organized. We’ve seen crocodiles at high-tide time and sunset in the Kakadu National Park, and a good amount of waterfall/pool time. The nights were fun as we stayed in campsites where we were just immersed in the nature. The folks in the same group were quite friendly and helpful and we made lunch/cleaned up like long known friends.
- Leticia M ★★★★★
on TripadvisorKakadu & Litchfield tour
I had such a great time on the 2 night tour through Kakadu and Litchfield! Rhett was so caring, friendly and knowledgeable, and everything was organised really well. The tour was a great mix of fun, exploring and learning. It was honestly such a good experience and left me with a really great impression of the Northern Territory. I’m definitely coming back to explore more of the NT and hopefully do another tour with Rhett! Highly recommend 😊
- Alan Golding ★★★★★
on GoogleWe were met at our hotel by our guide Betty who was absolutely gorgeous with a beautiful smile and an amazing happy welcoming personality. Betty was simply amazing in sharing the stories about every site we visited, communicated clearly our itineraries for the day and timeframes for each visit. This is a must do tour and would be a double bonus if you happen to get Betty as your guide. Betty is an absolute credit and assett to Territory Expeditions and we wish her all the best with all her future travels wherever they may take her. If I could offer any advice to Territory Expeditions it would be to give Betty a new transport vehicle with a little more comfort. All in all do yourself a favour and book this trip. Looking forward to getting home and doing it Crocodile Style 👍🏿😁
- Tania Whiting ★★★★★
on GoogleWe have just returned from a 3 day adventure tour of Kakadu with Betty from AAT. Absolutely loved the experience and honestly felt like I was on a camping adventure with friends by the end of the tour. The information provided by Betty on our tours was informative and relevant and the scenery spectacular. The 4wd bus was older and not the most comfortable (especially over bumps) but added to the experience. We stayed in eco tents at a caravan park as our base in the evenings so shower/toilet/pool etc available. Everybody got involved with preparing food/dishes and packing the bus back up etc. Betty ensured there was regular toilet breaks if we were driving a long distance and cold water was carried on board to fill your water bottles. Thank you Betty and everyone on the tour 12th to 14th Sept 2026 for creating lasting memories ❤️ 🐊
- Bradley S ★★★★★
on TripadvisorEpic!
Fantastic! Enjoyed from start to finish. Betty the tour guide was brilliant and full of local knowledge and enthusiasm. The itinerary was spot on too and included a great mix of activities. We were never hungry too and food was great. Would recommend!
- Bruce L ★★★★★
on TripadvisorGreat Experience
The tour booking arrangement by Kaz from Kakadu Tours & Travel was seamless & well arranged. The actual 3 day tour was excellent & tour guide was very knowledgeable. A great mix of Aboriginal rock art sites, waterfalls, swimming, sunset boat cruise, walking trails & landscapes. We were also extremely fortunate to see about 50 crocodiles at the East Alligator river crossing as they were catching large fish - just one of the many highlights 🐊🐊
- Douglas L ★★★★★
on TripadvisorPerfect way to view this magnificent area
The itinerary was phenomenal with so much natural beauty & splendour. We were taken a bit by surprise when we arrived at our first camp area. Our guide started by asking the younger members of the group to give preference to the mature ones for the lower bunks in shared cabins. Plus top bunks had no ladders. Fortunately our group was smaller & were all able to find some private space. I think these arrangements could have been discussed earlier with options explained. At our 2nd campsite all the tents appeared with swags for everyone. Overall the pace was very relaxed & enjoyable with plenty of time to enjoy each of the amazing locations we were taken to. I felt we were safely guided through the challenging terrain we encountered at times. Nate provided informative commentary along the way. He was very accommodating to some challenging dietary restrictions in the group. It was a great group that all pitched in to assist for meal & camp setup.
- Nick B ★★★★★
on TripadvisorAmazing Experience, With Koolpin Gorge Access Being A Gem
I took this tour in August 2026 with the incredible Rhett Ericsen-Miller as a guide. There was nine in the group, which was smaller than the max load, but even if there had been a bigger group, we'd have been fine I'm sure. The tour has several pickup points at hotels around Darwin, I was in Parap so the pickup was at a servo nearby as I don't think Rhett would have appreciated navigating the massive truck and trailer down to my hotel. On that note, hotels in Darwin are pretty cool about storing excess bags while you're out touring. There were small deviations from the tour itinerary, because of conditions and road closures, so we went to Motor Car Falls as Jim Jim Falls was closed. Not a big deal at all. Rhett had a tremendous amount of knowledge of Aboriginal culture and the importance of the places we visited, and was able to share that knowledge incredibly well. The way he was able to put a lot of things about, for example, the Aboriginal experience, and contextualize some of the more complicated things one might see in Darwin. All guides in Kakadu National Park are required to complete a pretty intensive course on the Aboriginal culture and the lands, and Rhett was able to tell their stories incredibly well. The tour also visits a cultural centre which adds a lot of that context as well. The Koolpin Gorge hike, as the tour marketing suggests, is very challenging and not for people without some degree of fitness. There's no real trail, it requires a fair bit of rock hopping, balance, and agility in places, but the reward of reaching the top of the gorge is more than worth it. We were surprised to see a freshwater crocodile in the second pool, but it seemed indifferent to our presence and just carried on with its day. If you're device dependent, definitely bring a big power bank as after the second night there are limited opportunities to charge devices. Use airplane mode on your phone most of the time, as you won't have any connectivity in most places anyway, and if you do, only Telstra really works. If you've got dietary requirements, pack snacks that work too. I wish I had brought surf shoes for the pools rather than being barefoot. This was a tremendous experience, excellent value, and the highlight of this trip to Australia. I could not have put something together like this for myself for less cost, and even then, the value of the guides are priceless.
- Anthony Mihindu ★★★★★
on GoogleAbsolutely amazing 3-day Kakadu & Litchfield camping experience with Territory Expeditions! The waterfalls, scenery and camping were incredible, and I had an absolute ball from start to finish. A massive shoutout to our guide Simon. He was amazing! Huge thanks to Territory Expeditions for having me along. An unforgettable Top End adventure and one I’d highly recommend!
- jojo ★★★★★
on Tripadvisorthe best tour ever
Our tour was exellent! Rhett was a great tour guide, he made a lovely campfire and sang for us all. The food was delicious and the camp sites where amazing. Rhett took us to some very beautifull water holes and we all had a great time.
- Roam821678 ★★★★★
on TripadvisorFantastic trip to kakadu and koolpin gorge
We had a fantastic time on this tour. Rhett was brilliant throughout and kept the kids engaged and entertained throughout our time in kakadu.
- Andy Sutton ★★★★★
on TripadvisorAmazing 5 day experience
Excellent your! Rhett our tour guide was awesome and really friendly! Amazing experience, every day had something new and different. Food was great too. Definitely recommend. Great for families, our kids loved it
- Freddie Sutton ★★★★★
on TripadvisorKakadu 5 day exploration
An excellent adventure throughout the kakadu national park with our amazing tour guide Rhett leading the way. There was something for everyone to enjoy from aboriginal art to swimming in pools of freshwater we enjoyed our time on this trip endlessly. The people we were with where kind and welcoming making it easy to enjoy the outback to its full extent and making lots of new friends. Our tour guide Rhett couldn't have been better telling us amazing stories around the campfire and cracking lots of funny jokes that made us all laugh. He taught us lots about the area and aboriginal culture. Thank you for an amazing trip.
- Jonas Blomberg Ghini ★★★★★
on GoogleFirst things first, Rhett is a super chill guide, and made our five-day tour of the Kakadu a blast. He is open, shares of himself and creates a safe environment where we felt seen and attended to when needed, and without ever rushing us or making us feel like we didn't have time for one more photo or one more bite of food. He also puts on a great rockadile dundee show; playing guitar and harmonica around the campfire was really fun. Basically, we felt like Rhett managed to frame everything in such a way that we were largely exploring while still remaining safe and informed about what's around us. Also, he is very knowledgeable about aboriginal culture, strife and history, at least to my Norwegian ears, after having passed an accreditation at Darwin uni. That paid off big time, especially at Ubirr. Alright, nobody can predict or control the weather, so Jim Jim Falls was off the menu. Kooplin gorge, however, was absolutely amazing! Sufficiently remote that we had the whole day to ourselves with just us in the tour group. Some epic spots and swims and rock scrambles. Camping by Gunlom waterfalls was incredible! Such a cool environment and an amazing couple of little pools to swim in up top. I mean, I can't effectively communicate how many worthwhile stops we made along the way. We had a proper adventure. The sunset cruise on the Billabong! Wow! As an adventure experience, this is a five out of five! Some quick notes to those interested in getting on the same tour, be advised of the following: 1) the guide does not pack food themselves, it's others in the company that do so (from my understanding), and dietary requirements can fall through the cracks. Probably a good idea to triple check that important things are properly accounted for when the organizers are putting together meal kits. 2) we misunderstood the luggage restrictions and as it turns out, you can probably bring luggage the size that would pass for hand luggage on an airplane PLUS a day pack. My wife and I thought we were restricted to a single day pack each, so we could have had some more creature comforts without bogging down the trip. 3) people longer than 180 cm should probably find a way to sort out their own sleeping bag, as the ones you can get from NTA are much too short for someone like me (192 cm). Same really also goes for the tents - I smushed my head and my toes on the tent walls the two second nights, so I should probably have tried out one of the swags instead. So, to summarize, Rhett's amazing Kakadu adventure is worth every penny, and minor inconveniences do not really take away from how happy we are about having joined the tour. Also, you get to know each other a bit, and other folks joining such a tour are likely to be pretty cool folks too (at least our group was great).
- Nadine Ata ★★★★★
on GoogleAmazing camping tour! Rhett was fun and informative about local plants, animals and Aboriginal culture, took us to amazing hikes and water holes (some off track), played guitar by campfire. Was a fun, adventurous and informative camping trip
- Yuin Foh ★★★★★
on GoogleRhett was a fun tour guide. Informative, patient, and a good cook! Thanks for making the 5 days a great experience, Rhett! Koolpin was definitely a highlight and our small group got along well :)
- Susan Rye ★★★★★
on FacebookGetting away from crowds. The camp fire. An appreciation of the indigenous culture and wildlife. Great company. Well paced. Fantastic photo opportunities.
- Maria J ★★★★★
on Tripadvisor3 Day Kakadu Tiur
Our guide was Lorrie and she was sensational. She demonstrated her love of Australia's land and culture to us during the tour. I never felt rushed and she kept us informed about the trip details. I would be very happy to do another tour with Lorrie if I am ever lucky enough to return to the Top End.
- Willie Trinidad ★★★★★
on GoogleThe 3-day Kakadu tour was an experience worth reminiscing for years to come. The accommodations were really good and the ride was comfortable even on bumpy roads. The places were amazing and so educational. The yellow water cruise was relaxing. The various waterfalls were small wonders and so refreshing for leisurely swimming. Many thanks to Jeremy, our very knowledgeable and helpful guide for the memories. Future tours will be lucky to have you.
- Creative Arts ★★★★★
on GoogleJust finished the 3 day Kakadu tour with our guide/driver Jeremy who obviously loves and is excellent at his job. He was a wealth of knowledge and kept the tour interesting. He was able to make the most introverted of us open up. Im sure he could be a history teacher or guide anywhere in the world if he wanted. The accommodations were better than I expected. Picnic lunches were plentiful. Group number was small so we were all able to be acquainted with each other. Could not fault this tour. If you love swimming in watering holes, waterfalls, cave art, history and storytelling, this is the tour for you. Victor.
- Ianthe M ★★★★★
on TripadvisorOutstanding experience
This was genuinely one of the best experiences of my life. I went with my sister but there were families with young children, older couples and solo travellers so it is suitable for all. We had an amazing tour guide called Jeremy who was incredibly knowledgeable and obviously very passionate about his job - which made the experience even better. We saw so many outstanding places and different wildlife species, and learning about the aboriginal people and the history of the locations was brilliant.
- Jude M ★★★★★
on GoogleA fascinating tour, knowledgeable guide with a busy itinerary.
- Ben Hurlstone ★★★★★
on GoogleFantastic, such an amazing experience. The accommodation was great where we were and the day trips exceeded all expectations. I never stopped learning new things with our amazing tour guide - Rhett. He gave us new facts about everything we thought we knew well and we left the camp knowing more than any book could tell. All this with such passion and enthusiasm made it easy to enjoy the trip that much more. 10/10 would recommend
- Christine Smolders ★★★★★
on GoogleWe have recently had the pleasure of doing the 3day Kakadu tour with guide Rhett who made the trip fun & really interesting. Small group tours is the perfect way to travel. The itinerary is flexible due to staggered openings of roads & waterfalls but we loved our swims at the waterholes & the rock art was incredible.
