5 Day 4WD Kakadu/Koolpin Safari
The 5 Day 4WD Kakadu Tour explores Kakadu National Park at its best.
This tour visits the special permit areas of Koolpin Gorge as well as seeing Jim Jim Falls, Maguk, Ubirr Rock and Gunlom Falls. Included is a wildlife cruise on Yellow Waters at sunset.
This premium camping tour is for the dedicated adventurer. Traditionally this tour will be enjoyed by the more mature traveller who enjoy fantastic hikes in travelling in small groups. Camping is in permanent safari tent accommodation with the option to sleep under the stars in a swag. Travel by 4WD vehicle.
Tour Highlights:
- 2hr Sunset Cruise on the famous Yellow Waters
- 4 Wheel driving to Jim Jim Falls
- World famous Ubirr for views over the Nardab floodplains and into Arnhem land
- Bowali Information Centre within Kakadu National Park
- Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge), special permit restricted area, hike & swim
- Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) hike through paperbark forests & swim in the pristine plunge pool
Day 1 – Darwin - Kakadu
Pick up at 6.30-6.45am 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.
Fitness: 3 kms
Meals: Lunch & dinner
Day 2 – Kakadu
We then return to our safari camp at Mardukal Billabong and relax around the campfire after some dinner.
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.
Visit to the Warradjan cultural centre is a great opportunity to gain some insight into the traditional owners of Kakadu through interactive displays and demonstrations.
This evening we will enjoy 2hr 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.
Fitness: 5 kms
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 3 – Kakadu - Darwin
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.
Tonight, we camp at our private camp at Goymarr (Mary River Roadhouse)
Please note there is an opportunity to upgrade your accommodation on arrival. Cost additional.
Fitness: 5 kms
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 4 – Kakadu
Today we spend the whole 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 is able to offer regular tours to this area and is grateful to the traditional owners for allowing us to have this opportunity.
The name Jarrangbarnmi comes from the Jawoyn words jarrang meaning flood, or big water flow, and barn meaning rift or gap
Jarrangbarnmi was created by the Jawoyn creation ancestors. It is part of Buladjang country. Bula created this landscape and then went to live under the ground. Bolung (Rainbow Serpent) lives in plunge pools in this country. Both powerful creation ancestors can cause earthquakes, storms, floods and disease if disturbed.
The walk up the gorge is a real wilderness walk and requires a good level of fitness with great rewards on arrival to some of the National Parks most spectacular rock pools, waterfalls and rock landscape.
This remote location is restricted to only 40 people per day and is home to several endemic species of fauna and fauna.
Tonight, we camp at our private camp at Goymarr (Mary River Roadhouse)
Please note there is an opportunity to upgrade your accommodation on arrival. Cost additional.
Fitness: 5-8 kms
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 great 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.
Fitness: 2 kms
Meals: Breakfast & lunch.
Territory Expeditions Provides
A Territory Expeditions experience will include:
- Small groups (ensures minimal environmental impact)
- All meals as indicated
- Accommodation transfers
- Camping fees and equipment
- Great walks/hikes (getting away from the crowds)
- Interpretation of the natural and cultural features of Kakadu
- Swimming in idyllic locations
- Ancient Rock Art
- Great Lookouts = great photographs
- Wildlife & crocodile cruise
- Special permits into restricted areas of Kakadu which include Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge)
- Ikoymarrwa Rock Holes (Moline) and Old Goodparla (Home stead ruins of the first European settlement in what is now Kakadu)
- Safari camping permits at Mardukal which allows us to camp in the heart of Kakadu surrounded only by trees and a sky full of stars!
What to Bring
- 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
- A jacket (mainly for June, July and August nights)
- Medication and other personal requirements
- Towel
- Torch/flashlight
- A sense of humour!
- Sleeping bag (can be hired for $20, please advise when booking)
- Note: Luggage is strictly restricted to a soft bag of 10kg per person
Small print & important info
- Itinerary may be done in reverse at guides discretion.
- All itineraries are subject to change without notice due to seasonal and extreme weather conditions, National Park road or attraction closures and cultural commitments from Traditional owners.
- All tours must be reconfirmed 24 hrs prior to travel.
- All tours are most suitable for ages between 18 and 45, however those older than this range can be taken into consideration.
- Travel insurance is highly recommended to travellers who embark on any tours with Territory Expeditions.
- Min age recommended for our 2021/22 tours is 15 years of age, however will take children as young as 8 years.
- Families and small groups are welcome on our tours.
- Further terms & conditions and cancellation information can be found on our website.
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.
Important Information
- Please note we are Territory Expeditions, not Territory comfortable, take it easy, sightseeing tours. 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. The only stars are in the sky.
- Please note that the 3 Day Kakadu Adventure is fully accommodated so no camping applies to this tour.