Kakadu National Park: Our most recommended tours and activities

Jabiru: 30 minute Scenic flight over Kakadu National Park

1. Jabiru: 30 minute Scenic flight over Kakadu National Park

Best seen from the air, enjoy aerial views over the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park on a 30-minute scenic flight departing from Jabiru. Witness everything from ancient escarpments to winding rivers and spectacular 1.8 billion years of continuous erosion. This flight includes recorded and live commentary from your pilot as you fly through these spectacular ancient lands. Highlights include The Archway, Arnhem Land escarpment's, East Alligator Valley, Mikinj Valley Billabongs and Magela flood plains.

From Darwin: Kakadu Wilderness Escape Day Tour

2. From Darwin: Kakadu Wilderness Escape Day Tour

Discover the spectacular Kakadu National Park for its exceptional natural and cultural values. Visit the infamous Cahills Crossing to safely spot saltwater crocodiles, explore the floodplains of Ubirr, go to Fogg Dam Conservation Centre and the Bowali Visitor Centre. Leave tropical Darwin, traveling through the rich floodplains towards Kakadu National Park, a 20,000 square kilometer area, teeming with wildlife, important Aboriginal rock art sites, and diverse landscapes. Make an optional stop at the Jumping Croc Cruise on the Adelaide River, or visit the Fogg Dam Conservation Centre. See the traditional lands of the Limilngan-Wulna people (who are active in the reserve's management) to explore the diverse wildlife of the Top End, home to numerous species of birds, turtles, water pythons, and of course, the iconic Saltwater Crocodile. Go to the Bowali Visitor Centre and learn more about this special place's rich indigenous culture and history. Visit the famous Cahills Crossing searching for crocodiles at this eye-opening stretch of water, the only road access point between Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park. Visit the World Heritage-listed, sacred site Ubirr rock art, home to some of the oldest and best-preserved rock art galleries in the world dating back some 20,000 years, and discover the hidden secrets with a guided walk.

Darwin: Kakadu National Park Cultural Day Tour with Lunch

3. Darwin: Kakadu National Park Cultural Day Tour with Lunch

Travel from Darwin to Kakadu on a day trip exploring the best of Kakadu National Park. See ancient rock art, unique plants, and wildlife, and spectacular bush views as you drive, walk and cruise through Kakadu. After pickup from your Darwin hotel, enter Kakadu National Park, and travel to Ubirr Rock, the site of some of the world’s oldest rock art. Join your guide on an interpretative walk through ancient rock galleries, and hear about the history and culture of the traditional custodians. There are plenty of opportunities for bushwalking, but the pace is slow, with plenty of stops to discuss the rock art and the history of those who painted it. Stop at Nadab Lookout for amazing 360-degree views over the wetlands of the Nadab floodplains, before continuing to East Alligator River. A descendant of the traditional owners will join you for a Guluyambi cultural cruise along the East Alligator River. The River which divides Kakadu and Arnhem Land is home to some of the region’s largest saltwater crocodiles. Feel honored to be invited onto Arnhem Land shores to see a cultural demonstration of how the Bininj people work with the waterways to this day. The Guluyambi cultural cruise is a great opportunity to hear about the area, history, and culture directly from the land's traditional custodians. During your Kakadu day trip there is a stop for a picnic lunch and at the end of the day, get dropped off back at your Darwin hotel.

From Darwin: Kakadu National Park Full Day Tour

4. From Darwin: Kakadu National Park Full Day Tour

Join a group tour perfect for families, groups, and adventure-seekers alike and spend a full day exploring the Kakadu National Park in an air-conditioned minibus to view the park's incredible landscape and ancient Aboriginal rock art.    Enjoy your journey into Kakadu National Park, the largest National Park in Australia, with a professional guide who will lead you to 3-4 of the most amazing sites and overlooks that the 20,000-square-kilometer protected site has to offer. Visit the Fogg Dam Conservation Centre as your first stop. These traditional lands are of the Limilngan-Wulna people, who are active in the reserve's management, and are home to some of the most spectacular places to explore the diverse wildlife of the Top End. Keep an eye out for numerous species of birds, turtles, water pythons, and of course, the iconic saltwater crocodile. Choose the optional Jumping Croc Cruise on the iconic Adelaide River to get a closer look at the gigantic saltwater crocodile. Hear stories and information about the art's formation, history, animals, and ancient inhabitants. After arriving at each site or overlook, you will have plenty of time to explore and capture memories in photographs.

Darwin: Kakadu & Nourlangie Day Trip Plus Billabong Cruise

5. Darwin: Kakadu & Nourlangie Day Trip Plus Billabong Cruise

Explore the landscape of Kakadu National Park on a day trip. Discover mangrove-fringed coastal areas that blend into expansive flood plains, lowland hills flanked to the east by sandstone escarpments, all interwoven between various open woodland and forest habitats. Visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre to view the informative displays depicting the traditions of the Aboriginal people, before your return to Darwin. There is also the opportunity for an optional 50-minute scenic flight (own expense) for a different perspective of this vibrant landscape. Next, join a local guide for a cruise on the famous Yellow Water Billabong. Search for saltwater crocodiles and the colorful range of birdlife for which this region is renowned. Teeming with wildlife in the water, land, and air, the many species that provide a diversity and concentration seen nowhere else add to the natural spectacle. See how the land takes on different forms and colors with the passing of each season. After lunch, travel across the Adelaide River and Marrakai Plains, and stop at Nourlangie Rock, where your guide will lead a walk to view the ancient Aboriginal rock art.

From Darwin: 3 Day Kakadu and Litchfield 4WD Camping Tour

6. From Darwin: 3 Day Kakadu and Litchfield 4WD Camping Tour

Join us on an exclusive 4wd safari adventure of a lifetime, showcasing the very best Kakadu & Litchfield National Park has to offer. Discover some of the oldest and best-preserved Aboriginal Rock Art in the world, and keep a lookout for some of our prehistoric friends (crocodiles) as we cruise the ancient wetlands by boat. Visit spectacular waterfalls and cool off in some of the most beautiful natural plunge pools imaginable. We’ll be exploring some truly spectacular destinations onboard this outback camping adventure. Day 1: Darwin - Kakadu National Park Start your adventure from Darwin heading to the Wetlands Region for a Crocodile Wildlife Cruise on the Mary River, a great opportunity to spot a huge range of Top End wildlife! We journey on to Kakadu National Park, visiting the Bowali Visitor Center, which offers an introduction to the Park’s landscape and wildlife. After relaxing at camp, we journey north to *Cahills Crossing the border of Kakadu and Arnhem Land. We visit one of the best-preserved collections of Aboriginal Rock Art in the world at Ubirr rock upon sunset. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy sunset overlooking the Nadab Floodplain. After a big day, we head to camp to prepare dinner and get to know our fellow travelers. Meals: L, D. Camp: Kakadu National Park Safari Tents or Basic Swags. Driving Distance: 420km. Hike Distance and Grading: 1km loop Grade 2-3. Day 2: Kakadu Waterfalls & Plunge Pools We rise early on day 2 and make our way South to Kakadu National Park. We’ll spend the day soaking up the spectacular natural beauty, hiking through lush monsoon rainforests, swimming in pristine plunge pools surrounded by steep escarpments. Visit Twin Falls or Jim Jim Falls (seasonally accessible), alternatively, we stop at Barramundi Gorge (Maguk) or other waterfalls such as Yurmikmik (Motor Car Falls). Time permitting, we stop at Nourlangie Rock, a rock art site where archaeologists uncovered works dating back over 20,000 years old. Explore the evolving cultural and environmental changes to the area, before making our way back to camp for a dinner and a well-earned rest. Meals: B, L, D. Camp: Kakadu National Park Safari Tents or Basic Swags, Driving Distance: 150km. Hike Distance and Grading: 1.5km - 4km. Day 3: Litchfield National Park to Darwin. Travelling south through Pine Creek, a small pioneering town in the Katherine region outside of Kakadu National Park, famous for its discovery of gold in the 1970s. We stop for a quick refreshment break at the Adelaide River before our journey leads us to Litchfield National Park. Immerse yourself in Litchfield’s natural oasis, spring-fed streams and rugged sandstone escarpments. Spend time at Buley Rockholes, Wangi Falls or Florence Falls for a refreshing soak in picturesque rock pools and waterfalls. Be impressed by the Magnetic Cathedral Termite Mounds before making our way back to Darwin. Meals: B, L. Driving Distance: 500km. Hike Distance and Grading: 1 - 2 km.

Darwin: Kakadu National Park Day Trip

7. Darwin: Kakadu National Park Day Trip

Enjoy 1.5 hours of spectacular scenic flying, cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong, and visit the Warradjan Cultural Center. Take part in an experience which varies between wet and dry seasons: 8:30 AM: Check-in at Kakadu Air Terminal 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Kick start the day with a 60-minute scenic flight paired with informative commentary delivered by your expert pilot. This extended flight tracks over Adelaide River, Mary River National Park, and Kakadu’s winding South and East Alligator rivers. 11:30 AM: Visit the Yellow Water Billabong, rich with flora, wildlife and changing landscapes. Sit back and relax on a 90-minute cruise through Kakadu’s wetlands. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Enjoy lunch at Barra Bar and Bistro. 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Transfer to the Warradjan Cultural Center. Take in personal histories, videos and artifacts in a place developed by Aboriginal traditional owners. Browse the gallery gift shop offering traditional didgeridoos, local artwork, and much more. 3:00 PM: Depart Kakadu on a 45-minute ferry flight back to Darwin. 4:00 PM: Farewell in Darwin. DECEMBER – APRIL ITINERARY (WET SEASON) 8:30 AM: Check-in at Kakadu Air Terminal, Darwin 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Kakadu comes to life in the Wet season. Start your morning with 1.5 hours of scenic flying paired with informative commentary delivered by your expert pilot. This extended flight tracks over Adelaide River, Mary River National Park, and Kakadu’s winding South and East Alligator Rivers. Finish off your aerial sightseeing with views over the mighty Jim Jim and Twin Waterfalls. 11:30 AM: Visit the Yellow Water Billabong ,which comes alive in the wet season. Enjoy a place rich with flora, wildlife and changing landscapes. Sit back and relax on a 90-minute cruise through Kakadu’s wetlands as you keep an eye out for crocodiles sunbathing. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch at Barra Bar and Bistro. 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Transfer to the Warradjan Cultural Center. Take in personal histories, videos and artifacts in a place developed by Aboriginal traditional owners. Browse the gallery gift shop offering traditional didgeridoos, local artwork, and much more. 3:00 PM: Depart Kakadu on a 45-minute ferry flight back to Darwin. 4:00 PM: Farewell in Darwin.

From Alice Springs: Palm Valley 4WD Outback Safari + Picnic

8. From Alice Springs: Palm Valley 4WD Outback Safari + Picnic

Enjoy an exciting 1-day safari on a four-wheel drive from Alice Springs through the beautiful West MacDonnell Ranges to Hermannsburg, an Aboriginal community and historic precinct. Hermannsburg is renowned for its Aboriginal art collection, in particular the works of famous Aboriginal artist, Albert Namatjira. Enjoy a leisurely tea in Hermannsburg, and then set off on your 4WD for the second half of the adventure. Travel down the bed of the Finke River, one of oldest water courses in the world, into the stunning Palm Valley. Admire the spectacular rock formations, such as the one known as the Amphitheatre, and the lush palm trees of the oasis rising out of the white sand. Keep your eyes peeled for native plants such as the cycad and the Livistonia Mariae. Enjoy a picnic lunch within the beautiful Finke Gorge National Park, and on your return journey, relax and enjoy the changing colors of the magnificent West MacDonnell Ranges.

From Darwin: 2-Day Kakadu Tour with Hotel, Cruise & Rock Art

9. From Darwin: 2-Day Kakadu Tour with Hotel, Cruise & Rock Art

Shared experiences are richer. This small group (max 8) 2 Day Kakadu Tour is all about experiencing, understanding and expanding. Experience the unique wildlife and environments of the Top End. Understand the cycle of life that has played out here for aeons. Expand your awareness of indigenous people, culture and history as it has played out across this rugged, remote landscape. DAY 1 - FOGG DAM / KAKADU NATIONAL PARK TOUR An early morning start gets us out to greet the sunrise on the dynamic Adelaide River floodplains. Nearby is the enigmatic Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve. On display here is a massive variety of birdlife, reptiles, mammals and more across wetlands, floodplains, woodlands and monsoonal forest. Enjoy breakfast with the birds and coffee with the critters! Moving on, our destiny takes us to the edge of Kakadu and Arnhem Land and the award winning Guluyambi Culture Cruise for 90 minutes of wildlife spotting, indigenous culture instructions and anecdotes from a local aboriginal guide. Bare in mind to keep your hands in the boat as this river has one of the highest populations of estuarine crocodiles in the world. Surviving this enjoy lunch overlooking infamous Cahills Crossing before venturing to our accommodation for the evening and a short break. Freshen up, go for a swim in the pool or take a short nap … your time to relax. Late in the afternoon we meander down to Nawurlanja for a visual treat as the setting sun explodes off the ancient Arnhem escarpment in shades of ochre. Returning to Jabiru for dinner at the inhouse restaurant (Thai). DAY 2 - KAKADU NATIONAL PARK TOUR Up before the birds, we are off to Cooinda where we join the world-renowned sunrise Yellow Waters cruise. This is the perfect cruise to witness the wakening of wildlife on the wetlands backed up by expert local commentary. Enjoy the full buffet breakfast at Cooinda resort after the cruise before spending some quality time in the comprehensive aboriginal culture centre, Warradjan. Featuring stories, images, crafts, art and much more Warradjan is a place to go quietly and slowly. Absorb the knowledge and then sit down with female elders and learn the craft of string making and weaving afterwards (not guaranteed). Following this we journey towards Anbangbang Billabong and Nourlangie. Both Anbangbang and Nourlangie are rich in natural values and are significant areas of past and present areas of environmental interaction for the local indigenous people. A wealth of rock art adorning the sandstone massifs of Nourlangie provide the perfect depiction of life through the ages for Australia’s first peoples. Take your time and ask those questions of your guide. Following the walk enjoy lunch by Anbangbang Billabong before getting back to Jabiru and your 30 minute scenic flight over the region. No better way to put it all in perspective than from 2000 ft ! Departing Jabiru around 330 pm expect to be back in Darwin around 7 pm.

From Darwin: 4-Day Kakadu Outback Group Trip with Meals

10. From Darwin: 4-Day Kakadu Outback Group Trip with Meals

Explore Kakadu National Park with this small group tour from Darwin. See the oldest Aboriginal rock art in the world, visit waterfalls, and cruise through wetlands on this unique experience. Day 1: Depart from Darwin and head out to the floodplains of the Mary River to board a Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruise. Take in the views as you sail to Kakadu. Get an introduction to the park's landscape at the Bowali Visitor Center. Head to your accommodation to relax for a bit before going out to Cahills Crossing on the border of Kakadu and Arnhem land where you can spot crocodiles in the East Alligator River. See the Ubirr rock art as the sun sets over the Nadab Floodplain. Day 2: Partake in an exclusive aboriginal cultural experience. Hike out to Jim Jim or Twin falls and enjoy the shady monsoon forest. Stop for a hearty picnic lunch. Visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Center learn about the culture and management of Kakadu. Day 3: Begin bright and early to catch the sunrise at one of the best sunrise spots in the park, the Nawurlandja Lookout. Have a delicious breakfast at Anabangbang Billabong. Discover Burrungkuy Rock which houses some of Bininj Aborigional rock art. Drive up to Kunwarddewardde Lookout for incredible views of Kakadu’s Escarpment. Travel south and enjoy a picnic lunch at the plunge pool of the pristine waterfall Maguk. Travel back to your accommodation in Pine Creek to relax. Day 4: Explore and swim at Edith Falls or Butterfly Gorge, where you can cool off in the clear water. Start the return trip to Darwin with a stop at Adelaide River, a town steeped in history. Learn about the impact of World War II at the Adelaide River War Cemetery.

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What people are saying about Kakadu National Park

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 269 reviews

Our family of four had an amazing time today with Lee who was our incredibly informed and experienced guide for our 1 day tour of Kakadu. Lee shared a plethora of local knowledge gathered over years and his commentary, care for nature and ability to answer any question in depth was a highlight of the day. Ion the trip we made plenty of comfort stops and could buy from local roadhouses and water and a shared esky was provided. It was a long trip for one day and is really better experienced over three or more days. This was certainly a great introduction to the top end and Lee made it a highly educational and interactive experience, for example mid trip he stopped the bus, pointed out a grilled next lizard, caught it and brought it on the bud to show us! Highly recommend any tour with Lee as the guide! My questions were also answered quickly by emailing the company. We are now inspired to see much of the NT. Thanks Lee.

This is a great tour to see the rock art at Kakadu if you only have one day. Andrea was our guide and he was fantastic! He was extremely knowledgeable and explained what we were seeing for the whole trip, not just at the park. You learn a ton of information about the Northern Territory just on the drive to the park:) The rock art was amazing and the short hike was an easy walk. There is water to refill your bottle and a cooler for any food you have on the bus. Highly recommend 10/10

I think it was a really nice and interesting day filled with things to do and see. It was cool to see the landscapes, different types of trees, animals and rock formations. Dani was so lovely and really passionate about the area and what she was showing us. I’m really great full to have had the chance to go with her yesterday and to be told and have her explain the meaning behind the paintings, the ceremonies and some other fun fact about the different areas we were in.

Great trip. Very long day but great to see so much wildlife and learn about the area and see so much Indigenous art.

Dani was amazing! She was Informative, engaging, easy going, caring and a great bus driver! We all enjoyed it!