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Gunlom Falls
Kakadu ’ s Ancient Secrets
5 DAYS | DARWIN RETURN | MNDD
HIGHLIGHTS
Discover
• World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park
• Litchfield National Park ’ s many wonderful waterfalls
• Cruise the Mary River on a safari cruise Explore
• Climb Nourlangie for spectacular views over Kakadu National Park
• Get off road on the Marrakai 4WD track
Learn / Do
• Immerse yourself in WWII history at Adelaide River War Cemetery
• Learn about Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr
• Enjoy an exclusive Aboriginal cultural experience
Relax
• Swim at Gunlom Falls overlooking Kakadu
• Stay in luxury accommodations at Cicada Lodge for 2 nights
• Relax in luxury at Wildman Wilderness Lodge
• Cool off with a refreshing dip at Wangi Falls Taste
• Enjoy picnic lunches in secluded locations off the beaten track
• Experience a 3 course dinner cruise on peaceful Katherine Gorge
• 4 Full buffet breakfasts B
• 5 lunches L
• 1 Highlight Dinner HD
• 3 Dinners with wine DW
Kakadu is one of the most spiritual environments on our planet . Its immense gorges and crystal-clear rock pools will leave you with indelible images of a unique journey . Cruising its vast , bird-rich wetlands and witnessing the mystery of its ancient rock-art , you ’ ll be transported to another place and time . At the end of exhilarating days of discovery , relax in safari-style accommodations at Nitmiluk and Mary River , enjoying first-class cuisine in pristine natural settings .
As this journey departs early morning from Mantra on the Esplanade in Darwin , accommodations will need to be pre-booked for the previous night .
Day 1 : Darwin – Mary River This morning , meet your Driver Guide and board your luxury 4WD vehicle to begin your journey of discovery in the vibrant Top End . Cross the barramundi-rich Finniss River and enter magnificent Litchfield National Park , where stunning waterfalls cascade into crystal-clear pools , soaring magnetic termite mounds rise out of the red soil , and tropical monsoon forests thrive in ancient gorges . The Park is a haven for hundreds of native bird species and the plateau supports a rich range of woodland flora . Enjoy a swim in the clear waters of the pool at the base of tumbling Florence Falls , and visit Wangi Falls to hear about its importance in Aboriginal custom .
This afternoon , embark on a rugged cross-country adventure traveling via the unsealed Marrakai Track ( seasonally accessible ). You ’ ll travel through vast cattle stations and sparsely-inhabited backcountry to your accommodations at Wildman Wilderness Lodge in The Mary River Wetlands . Your private permanent safari tent ensures comfort and chic in the midst of a stunning landscape . Hotel : Wildman Wilderness Lodge , Mary River . L DW
Day 2 : Mary River – Kakadu Wake this morning to a chorus of native birds on the floodplains . Later , at Corroboree Billabong , a wildlife cruise on a safari-style boat reveals a pristine environment , a myriad of bird species including thousands of magpie geese , and the promise of glimpses of estuarine crocodiles . Travel on to iconic Kakadu National Park . Australia ’ s largest , it is also World Heritage-listed as both a cultural and natural sanctuary . Settle into your hotel , with its unique exterior design reminiscent of the shape of a crocodile , and relax and unwind or take a dip the shaded outdoor pool .
Then join your Driver Guide for a late-afternoon walk at Ubirr , one of Kakadu ’ s most renowned Aboriginal rock art sites . At the Main Gallery you ’ ll see representations of the many animals the local Indigenous people hunted . Animals were painted to pay respect to them for giving their lives , to ensure future hunting success , or to illustrate a noteworthy catch . A painting of a thylacine , or Tasmanian tiger , which has been extinct in the area for over 2000 years , attests to the antiquity of the paintings . Take a walk