Cooinda Lodge Kakadu

We’ll be exploring some truly spectacular countryside, amongst pockets of rainforest packed with endemic species of flora and fauna. This fully accommodated tour has you relaxing indoors in comfort each evening after enjoyable days of culture and unmatched vistas. Kakadu’s famous Cooinda Lodge offers luxury in the midst of the Australian bush with air-conditioned retreat tents offering shared bathroom facilities, or you may wish to include a TV and some other creature comforts including an ensuite by staying in a lodge room. Day 1: Darwin to Kakadu National Park Start your leisurely journey departing from Darwin and heading out the 300 kms to the UNESCO World Heritage-Listed Kakadu National Park. Our summer is lush and tropical, so we’ll stop at a few places along the way to take in some of the amazing scenery on offer including Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve where we can see a huge array of bird and wildlife species endemic to Australia’s Top End. Passing through the Wetlands Region we’ll of course ensure we have a photo at the welcome sign to Kakadu National Park - an unmissable opportunity. The remainder of the morning will see us wind our way through Kakadu to the north of the park, spending some time in the township of Jabiru. Enjoy a picnic lunch here and browse the art (and great coffee) that Marruwuddi gallery has on offer, before heading south to the hub of Cooinda where we will check in to our accommodation and have a leisurely relaxation. This evening’s sunset will take place on board Kakadu’s famous 2-hour Yellow Water Cruise. This cruise is an absolute must-do for every visitor to the region, with the wet summer season’s rainfall resulting in the billabong stretching much further than it does during the dry winter season. Wildlife abounds and the sky will put on a show as you watch the last of the sun fall beyond the horizon. Your evening will be spent enjoying an amazing 3-course hospitality offering exclusively put together for you by Cooinda’s chef and team to highlight the tastes of the Territory. Meals: Lunch, Dinner (beverages at own expense). Accom: Cooinda Outback Retreat Glamping (shared bathroom) or Lodge Room (private ensuite). Driving Distance: 315km. Hike Distance and Grading: 1km loop Grade 1, flat pathways and/or boardwalks. Day 2: Kakadu National Park to Darwin You have the potential to rise and shine early on day two and make your way to view the magic of sunrise at Burrungkuy’s Nawurlandja lookout. After admiring the ever-changing colours of this majestic area at this time of day, we will enjoy breakfast close by and then head into Burrungkuy’s main rock art viewing galleries to enjoy some of the best and most notable rock art in Australia. Around mid-morning we will return to check out of our accommodation in Cooinda, and enjoy a cultural art experience in the grounds of Warradjan Cultural Centre which focuses on the central and southern regions of the park. This hands-on art experience will be delivered by local community members including traditional owners. Have the opportunity to explore the cultural centre which also showcases a large gallery and gift shop, and feed your taste buds as we enjoy a picnic lunch in tropical surroundings. After lunch, it’s now time to begin the journey back to Darwin. Winding our way back through around 300 kms of lush Australian bush, allow Kakadu to farewell you as we pass through its amazing biodiverse environment, a notable reason that this wonderful region is UNESCO World Heritage Listed for both natural and cultural values. Returning to Darwin by 6pm, enjoy the remainder of your evening reflecting on the time you’ve spent exploring and the new friends you’ve gained. If hiking, waterfalls and pristine rock pools are next on your list, we look forward to welcoming you back next time during the region’s dry season for further exploration! Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Driving Distance: 315 kms. Hike Distance and Grading: 1km Grade 3 with steep areas. Good general agility and sturdy footwork required. *Autopia Tours reserves the right to alter the route or itinerary schedule during seasonal weather fluctuations and/or during park closures due to traditional owner ceremonies.

VERY VERY IMPORTANT! PLEASE EMAIL ME BEFORE BOOKING THE TOUR! DAY 1 Pick up at 6.00 from your Accommodation. First stop of the day Fogg Dam. Time for breakfast and bird watching. Enjoy the Birds, try to spot buffalos or the Crocodiles. Jabiru, magpie geese, herons, jacana, Egrets, cormorants, and much more in this bird paradise. Fogg Dam is a must, a little gem only few kilometers from Darwin. It will be a very good opportunity to get in the right mood for the next two days of top adventures. Stop at the Kakadu Welcome sign for the traditional photo, more secret spots on the way. Ubirr and Cahills Crossing Let's visit the ancient art sites in Ubirr, learning about the old indigenous tradition, still alive today on this land. Let's go to the top of Ubirr for the best view of in the Kakadu, where the stunning landscape of the Nabad floodplain and Arnhem Land join together. Let's have a look at the legendary Cahills Crossing, trying to spot Crocodiles. Lunch and Nourlangie Time for Lunch provided by Mattia, under the shade of the Paper Bark trees at Cahills crossing. After lunch we are going to visit Nourlangie rock art. We can choose an easy walk at the base, or a moderate walk at the top of the hill. Next visit will be Anbabang Billabong and an optional climb at Nowrlandja lookout. DAY 1 Cooinda Lodge OR Crocodile Hotel. Late afternoon we will be get to your accommodation. You can have a chill afternoon and enjoy the pool and have a drink. Sleep at the hotel and breakfast will be early in the morning on the next day. DAY 2 Jim Jim falls or Yellow Water cruise On the second day you can choose. Jim Jim Falls or Sunrise Yellow Water Cruise. option 1 JIM JIM FALLS It is and adventurous 1-hour 4wd, plus 1 hour very energetic difficult walk to get to one of the most remote places in Kakadu. option 2 SUNRISE YELLOW WATER CRUISE Enjoy the sunrise on the beautiful Yellow Water Billabong. It is 1.5-hour cruise along the Yellow Water Billabong and South Alligator River. You can spot crocodiles, jabirus, whistling ducks and beautiful lily flowers. DAY 2 Maguk waterfall (Barramundi Gorge). After Jim Jim falls, or the yellow water cruise + the Warandjan cultural Centre) we are going to head to Maguk. It is 30 minutes of easy 4wd plus 30 minutes of moderate walk. Mattia will help you personally on the rocky side of the walk. Enjoy a swim in this beautiful and magic place. Stop at a secret Waterhole.! DAY 2 Pine Creek Depending on the time, we can stop to other secret waterfalls, or we are going to head straight to Pine Creek, for a dinner at the Lazy Lizard. Pine Creek is one of the oldest gold mines of Australia, it was the ending point of the fist railway of the Top End. This small township will give you a beautiful picture of the old times. DAY 2 Back to Darwin by 9.30 Drop off at your accommodation or at the airport. More info on: www.nttopadventures.com.au Email: bookings@nttopadventures.com.au PLEASE EMAIL ME BEFORE BOOKING THE TOUR!