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5 Day Kakadu Camping Tour

Trip Styles: Budget

Visit 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.

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Experience the best of Australia’s Top End with our five-day Kakadu Camping tour, that promises an unforgettable journey through the Northern Territory’s tropical and rugged landscapes. This remote region where the tropics meet the Outback is a haven for adventure seekers, nature lovers, and cultural enthusiasts.

During this tour, you’ll have ample time to explore Kakadu National Park. 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 traveling 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.

Get up close and personal with the region’s most famous inhabitants on a croc-filled cruise along Yellow Waters. This thrilling experience is the perfect opportunity to observe these prehistoric creatures in their natural habitat.

The adventure continues with a visit to the spectacular Jim Jim Falls, where you can take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters of the plunge pool. Or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, hike to the top of the falls for a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape.

You’ll also have the opportunity to swim in other breathtaking locations, including the serene Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) or the picturesque Gunlom Falls.

Throughout the journey, you’ll be accompanied by like-minded travelers and experienced guides who will ensure your comfort and safety.

Book your adventure today and experience the best of Australia’s Top End with us. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore one of the world’s last true wilderness areas.

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Itinerary

Day 1: Darwin to 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 National Park

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 National Park

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 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.

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.

Highlights

What To Bring

Booking Info

A mixture of lightweight clothing and layers. Long shirts and pants are useful to protect against the harsh Australian sun.
Clothes should be easy to wash and dry.
Comfortable closed-in shoes
Hat,
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Water bottle at least a 1.5litre capacity,
Headlamp or torch is recommended for around your accommodation at night
Beach/swimming towel.
This trip requires a sleeping bag – can be purchased for AUD$75.00 or supply your own

Tour commences in Darwin on Day 1 at 6.30 am and finishes in Darwin (Day 5) at approximately 6 pm. Onward travel from Darwin must be booked for the following day. Default pick up location – The Cavenagh Hotel, 12 Cavenagh Street, Darwin
This trip requires a sleeping bag – can be purchased for AUD$75.00 or supply your own

Destination:

Northern Territory Tours

Have an epic adventure on tour in the Northern Territory on one of our Northern Territory travel packages.

Find Northern Territory tours and tour packages here that depart from Alice Springs, Uluru (Ayers Rock), and Darwin to see Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kakadu National Park in Australia. Have a great holiday in the Northern Territory on our active and adventurous tours.

You will find Northern Territory outback camping adventure tours here – some with permanent campsites (comfort camping) and others with traditional or bush camping (swags). Our Top End tours require a certain level of participation from guests. This may include assisting and cleaning afterward with the preparation of meals, collecting firewood, and sweeping out tents.

Some of our Northern Territory travel packages have the option to upgrade to hotel/lodge accommodation. So just check with us when booking and we can provide the accommodation options. We are all about adventures in Australia on our small group tours. Trying to get you out of the city, into nature, and off the beaten track. Our tours from Darwin are mostly 4WD adventures, taking you on the dirt roads to the hidden gems of the Top End.

The Northern Territory has a diverse range of climatic conditions and habitats from the central Australia desert region around Alice Springs to the tropics around Darwin. You can take a tour from Alice Springs or Ayres Rock airport depending on where you get the best value flights into. All our Uluru tours finish in Alice Springs or Ayers Rock, go onto Adelaide in the south or Darwin in the north. We have larger tour packages for Australia starting in Darwin or Alice Springs going onto Melbourne or Sydney.

All Kakadu and Litchfield shorter tours start from Darwin and return to Darwin. Like our popular one-day tours in the Northern Territory: 1 day Kakadu tour and 1 day Litchfield tour. We have longer overland tour packages to Alice Springs, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

We also have our tours starting in Northern Territory and heading to Broome in Western Australia. These take you through the Kimberley region. Our most popular tour is our 10 day Darwin to Broome Kimberley Tour. This tour operates from April to October every year which is the dry season up in the Kimberley region.

Check out our blogs about the Northern Territory for more info:

Top destinations in the Northern Territory – the best attractions in the NT

Can I travel to Kakadu National Park in the wet season?

Outback Australia tours for any age – All our Uluru and Kakadu tours for seniors

Family-Friendly Australia tours – All our Uluru and Kakadu tours for children and families.

Best Uluru Tour– How to choose the best Uluru tour for your budget

Best walks in Australia – of course, this blog includes some of the best walks in the Northern Territory.

When is the best time to visit Kakadu – our most frequently asked question about travel in the Top End.

Whether it’s a visit to the Red Centre to marvel at the rock formations of Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Kings Canyon, or a tropical excursion in the north of the NT on a tour from Darwin. We have something for everyone with our superb collection of the best Northern Territory tours.

For 2023 travel we are filling fast. Get in quick to secure your spot on one of our Northern Territory tours.

Our most popular top-end tours this season are:

5 Day Top End and Arnhem Land Camping Adventure Tour

5 Day Kakadu, Litchfield and Katherine Gorge accommodated adventure Tour

Visiting the Red Centre in 2023, we have our 3 day Uluru tour and 5 Day Uluru camping tour. Both depart from either Ayers Rock or Alice Springs and end in Alice Springs.

These Northern Territory adventure tours are the best way to see the region for those on a budget or who want a value-for-money trip.

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)