This 8 days journey explores the rich culture, ancient landscapes and remarkable wildlife of Arnhem Land and Kakadu. With exclusive access to Aboriginal owned areas, travellers experience outstanding rock art, sacred sites, and vibrant cultural centres. Highlights include two nights at Barramundi Lodge in Maningrida, two nights at Mount Borradaile to explore world famous rock art, and two nights in Kakadu National Park to witness its wetlands, escarpments and prolific birdlife. Scenic flights, cultural visits, and wilderness cruises make this a truly immersive journey into one of Australia’s most extraordinary regions.
On arrival into Darwin, enjoy a Darwin city tour before being transferred to the Hilton Garden Inn, located on The Esplanade. Gather for a tour briefing, along with dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Overnight in Darwin
Meals: Dinner
This morning we fly to Maningrida and experience a Welcome to Country.
We spend the next two nights at Barramundi Lodge, which is owned and operated by Outback Spirit. With special permission from traditional owners, the lodge has exclusive fishing licenses for numerous remote waterways, including the Tomkinson and Liverpool Rivers. The lodge features 12 beautiful safari suites and a restaurant overlooking the floodplains below.
Overnight at Barramundi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we enjoy an exclusive fishing and marine adventure on the Liverpool and Tomkinson Rivers – pristine waterways teeming with Barramundi. Our expert fishing guides will take you wherever the fish are biting aboard our sturdy Ocean Master vessels, the pinnacle for remote marine adventures. These boats feature an on-board restroom and shade canopy.
Today’s fishing adventure is also a wilderness tour, so if fishing isn’t your thing, you’ll still enjoy the stunning scenery and informative commentary.We will also visit the Maningrida Arts and Cultural Centre and the Djomi Museum, to delve into the cultural and spiritual richness of the area. Maningrida Arts & Culture is a pre-eminent site of contemporary Indigenous cultural expression and art-making and the Maningrida Art Centre empowers local Indigenous artists to pursue successful global careers from their homeland and township bases. Later this afternoon, we’ll enjoy a sunset drink on the deck before dinner and tell everyone about the one that got away.
Overnight at Barramundi Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Departing Maningrida after breakfast, our travels take us through the stone country of west Arnhem Land. We’ll cross the Goomadeer and Liverpool Rivers before arriving at the turnoff to Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris, Mount Borradaile. From here, we travel along a 40km bush track into the safari lodge, arriving in time for lunch. We’ll then check-in to our cabins, home for the next two nights.
This afternoon, the expert staff at Mount Borradaile will take you through 40,000 years of Aboriginal culture in an awe-inspiring landscape. The area contains some of the most stunning rock art galleries in the world. In terms of artistic quality, quantity, colourfulness, and state of preservation, it is virtually unrivalled. The walls of the many rock shelters are decorated with innumerable pictures documenting traditional Aboriginal life over many thousands of years. Subjects range from now-extinct animals to 20th-century sailing ships and the iconic Rainbow Serpent. Later this afternoon, we return to the lodge for dinner.
Overnight at Mount Borradaile
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we jump into the open back Toyotas and continue exploring the wonderland that is Mount Borradaile. Learn about the variety of techniques used in rock paintings as the styles changed over thousands of years of occupation and storytelling. We’ll also wander through various occupation sites and view a range of artefacts from when these sites were still in use.
After lunch, it’s time to explore the incredible wetlands of the Cooper Creek. Admire the prolific birdlife and massive crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks as you discover lagoons that seem more from a story book than from real life. As the sun seeks the horizon and sets over the floodplain, enjoy a drink and nibbles before returning to the lodge for our final night with Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris.
Overnight at Mount Borradaile
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we continue travelling through Arnhem Land. Our first stop is at the Injalak Art Gallery located in Oenpelli, which has over 200 active members, including artists, weavers, and craftspeople from Gunbalanya and surrounds.
We cross Cahill’s Crossing (keep an eye out for saltwater crocodiles) and into World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park. Kakadu covers almost 20,000 square kilometres and is renowned for its vast wetlands, exotic wildlife, millions of migratory birds and an estimated 5000 ancient rock art sites. The Bininj/Mungguy people have called Kakadu home for some 65,000 years. Here, we visit Ubirr art site, home to some outstanding rock art. Enjoy a 1-kilometre circular track walk to take in the multiple sites. Those feeling fit can make the steep 250-metre climb to the top of the rocky escarpment for magnificent views across the Magela floodplain. After lunch, we visit the cultural centre before checking into the Mercure Crocodile Hotel for our two-night stay. Tonight, we dine at the hotel.
Overnight in Kakadu National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, we take to the water for the Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) wetlands cruise. This area is home to an array of birdlife and some impressive saltwater crocodiles.
We then depart for Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site, with more amazing rock paintings, which date back 20,000 years. You also have the opportunity to climb up to the Gunwarddehwarde lookout for majestic views. Afterwards, we return to the hotel in time for dinner.
Overnight in Kakadu National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
It’s an early start today as we head to the airstrip, where you’ll gain an aerial perspective on this incredible environment. Take to the skies on a 30 minute scenic flight over ancient escarpments, floodplains and winding rivers, exhibiting the results of 1.8 billion years of continuous erosion. Setting our sights for Darwin, we will cross the South Alligator River with its expansive wetlands which, for many years, were used for buffalo hunting. We’ll travel via Humpty Doo before arriving into Darwin, where our tour ends.
Here, there is the option of being transferred to your city centre hotel if you are staying longer, or the airport for your flight home
Meals: Breakfast
Price & Availability
All bookings are subject to availability at the time of your request. Once we receive your booking enquiry, we’ll confirm availability within 24 hours.
Prices are quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD). If your package includes services priced in other currencies, currency conversion will be processed at midnight (AEST) each day. Please be aware that due to the constantly changing nature of exchange rates and supplier pricing, all package prices are subject to change until full payment is received and booking is confirmed.
Self-Guided Packages – Terms & Conditions
Our Self-Guided Packages are designed for travellers who want the freedom to explore independently, without the hassle of planning every detail. Each package follows a tried-and-tested itinerary that includes a combination of pre-booked services, such as accommodation and transport, and optional group tours or private experiences. You’ll have the flexibility to discover each destination at your own pace, with the confidence of having essential logistics taken care of and access to local support if needed.
Accommodation Flexibility
We understand that every traveller has different needs, so our itineraries offer flexibility in accommodation. You can choose from a range of hotels, from 3-star options to luxury 5-star properties, in most locations. If your first-choice hotel is not available at the time of booking, we will offer you an alternative of similar standard, quality, and location.
Travellers are welcome to customise their accommodation preferences before confirming their booking. If you’re unsure about the best options for your travel style, our team is happy to recommend alternatives.
Booking On Request
All packages are offered on request basis. In most cases, a deposit may be required before we can secure accommodation and services.
Once we receive your deposit and booking enquiry, we aim to confirm your package within 24 hours (longer if weekends or public holidays apply).
If your preferred travel dates are not available, we’ll suggest the closest alternatives or offer a full refund of your deposit.
Dynamic Pricing
Many of our accommodation providers and local suppliers use dynamic pricing models, which means prices fluctuate depending on factors such as demand, travel seasons, and availability.
Our listed “from” prices represent the lowest available rates based on low season travel with full availability. When you request a quote for your preferred travel dates, we’ll provide an accurate, up-to-date price based on availability at the time of quoting.
Prices may vary between the time we provide a quote and when you confirm your booking. Should there be any price differences, we will notify you before final confirmation and payment.
Itinerary Order & Availability
The order of your itinerary, including accommodation, tours, and transport, may be adjusted to secure the best availability and ensure a smooth travel experience. While we strive to follow the proposed itinerary as closely as possible, changes may be necessary, particularly during peak travel periods or when bookings are made close to your departure date.
For bookings made well in advance and outside of peak seasons, itinerary changes are uncommon. Any adjustments will be communicated to you in advance and are made with the aim of maintaining or improving the overall experience.
The final itinerary—including the order of your activities and accommodations—will be confirmed after your booking is secured.
Payment Terms
• A deposit may be required to secure your booking.
• Full payment is due no later than 45 days prior to your scheduled arrival date.
• If additional deposits are required by certain hotels or service providers, we will advise you at the time of confirmation.
• Your booking is not confirmed until full payment is received.
• Payments can be made via direct deposit, credit card, or other approved methods (merchant fees may apply).
Changes & Cancellations
• Your deposit is non-refundable once your booking is confirmed.
• Changes to your booking are permitted up to 45 days prior to departure, subject to availability and supplier approval. Additional fees may apply depending on the nature of the change.
• Cancellations within 45 days of arrival will incur a 100% cancellation fee, unless otherwise stated in your booking confirmation.
• Any rail tickets and flight tickets included in your package are non-refundable once issued and confirmed. These are subject to airline and supplier policies, which may include strict cancellation and amendment terms.
• We recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking to protect against unforeseen changes or cancellations.
Additional Information
• Please review visa requirements, health advice, and local regulations for your chosen destination prior to travel.
• We recommend allowing extra time for processing visas or travel documentation, especially during busy travel seasons.
• Travel insurance is strongly recommended for all bookings to cover unexpected events, including illness, cancellations, or delays.
If you’d rather chat, give one of our Travelcation Experts a call today to begin crafting your bespoke holiday experience.