Experience Overview
There's nowhere in Australia quite like the Northern Territory. Crocs, hot springs, sparse beauty, spectacular waterfalls, Aboriginal culture, - this part of the world has a little something for everyone. On this sun-soaked adventure you'll hike, cruise, and widen your eyes in wonder every single step of the way.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Dinner (D)
FAQs
- Sydney: Why does the itinerary use dual-names for locations (ie. Warrane/Sydney)? Contiki acknowledges the Traditional and Torres Strait Island owners of the land, sea and waters of the spectacular Australian continent. Dual-naming reflects that, as we explore this remarkable land, we recognise and respect Indigenous custodianship of a unique, ancient culture and country.
- Sydney: What does a modular trip mean? A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
Included Experience
- Darwin: We’ll uncover the very best of this cultural hotspot, with a local guide on hand to answer all our burning questions.
- Kakadu National Park: Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture at Pudakul. Meet a local family in their home and learn about the significance of the Didgeridoo.
- Kakadu National Park: Climb to the top and be rewarded with a sunset to rival the African savannas. You’ll half-expect a lion to walk into the frame!
- Kakadu National Park: See the work of Aboriginal artists and craft-makers and learn more about the indigenous tribes.
- Kakadu National Park: Some Aboriginal art on Nourlangie Rocks has been around for 20,000 years! It makes our nan look like a spring chicken.
- Katherine: Kick back and take a refreshing dip in the crystalline plunge pools, surrounded by monsoon forest. Pure bliss!
- Litchfield National Park: One for the bucket list. Take it easy in the relaxing plunge pools, or swim under the cascading Florence Falls.
- Litchfield National Park: Check out this weird but unmissable highlight at Litchfield National Park.
Trip Details
Product Code: 17529
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator: Contiki (CA)
Supplier Code: 393.1443A
Starts: Darwin, Australia
Finishes: Darwin, Australia
Duration: 5 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,868 ($374 /day)
Itinerary
Hello there, Australian explorers! Our trip begins this morning here in Darwin (Garramilla), where we'll get to know one another and then head out on our merry way to Kakadu. Watch out for the blazing scenery as we go! It's time to get to grips with the breathtaking landscapes of Kakadu National Park. We'll kick things off by meeting some local Indigenous people at their business, Pudakul. We'll be taken on an immersive cultural tour where we'll have the chance to learn and understand the local customs and traditions of the Aboriginal people of the region. It's an experience not to be missed. Fully immersed in these timeless lands we'll take a hike up to Ubirr lookout, to catch a stunning sunset over the Nadab floodplain before enjoying a free evening to chill out at our accommodation.
Accommodation: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (or similar)
Cameras at the ready! We have all day today to explore the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding National Park. You'll have the option to see the unique terrain of the Northern Territory from the sky, gliding over the strikingly different landscapes on a scenic flight. You can then opt into a Sunset Yellow Waters cruise this evening, while learning why this region is so important to the local Aboriginal people.
Accommodation: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
More natural beauty in store today, as we start with a visit to Edith Falls before we head to the otherworldly Katherine Gorge. Welcome to the spectacular sandstone landscapes of Katherine Gorge. We'll have the opportunity to take a cruise and explore the world famous National Park, spotting waterfalls, ancient aboriginal rock art and of course the incredible gorge itself.
Accommodation: Contour Hotel Katherine (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our time in Katherine comes to an end today, but the departure is easier knowing we're headed for another natural wonder... Arriving in Litchfield National Park, we'll check out the enormous termite mounds and famous Florence Falls, two waterfalls pouring over a wide plateau into into deep, picture-perfect water holes. Grab your swimmers to take a heavenly dip in the crystal clear waters. Our final night. Time to make even more memories with your Contiki crew.
Accommodation: The Leea Resort Darwin (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
And after 24 magical, majestic, mythical days, our trip ends today after breakfast. It's been amazing, we've learnt things about ourselves, about the world and about each other... and something tells us this won't be the last time we see each other...
Meals: Breakfast
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Tour Operator
Contiki (CA)
Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds, offering over 350 different tours in over 75 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[1] It is a subsidiary of The Travel Corporation. Its tours historically had a reputation for partying;[2][3] however, it also operates wellness trips culturally immersive experiences that focus less on alcohol, which are more popular with Generation Z.[4] The company owns lodging facilities in Europe, including the Chateau De Cruix, a 16th century castle in the Beaujolais wine region, and the Gasthof Schoneck in the Austrian Tyrol. The name "Contiki" comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; from the Māori referring to the first man, often symbolised as a pendant known as hei-tiki. It can also be attributed to the New Zealand slang 'Tiki-tour' describing taking a longer route to a destination in order to explore.[5]
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2024
Fun experience, wish more clear of activities included. Lovely people and staff, just not many options included and excursions seemed like they were part of the Contiki purchase, but were extra.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/11/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, July 2024
Perfect 5 day holiday got to see and experience heaps. Kakadu dreaming was great! Got to see everything I wanted. All the hassle and stress of organizing was taken care of for me by our amazing trip leader Cassie.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/12/2024
Amber B. - Traveled, August 2024
The best experience!!! Cassie was wonderful. I loved the activities, how well everything flowed and was organised and the care provided by the trip leader. Cassie was super amazing, informative, friendly, helpful and welcoming!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/13/2024
Tylah B. - Traveled, September 2024
The planned itinerary was so well thought out, never made you feel to rushed and I still made you feel as though you had plenty of time to see the destination. Between the beautiful sites and the amazing tour manager I had I could not have asked for a more amazing trip to be my first.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/14/2024
Tracey - Traveled, May 2025
This tour was excellent. The skipper and crew worked seamlessly through some rough weather to ensure we had the best opportunity to view the reef with comfortable, clean, and safe accomodations onboard. Exceeded all of my expectations, particularly the chance to discover dive with Christine and the delicious food prepared by Zoe and Joost, who also kept us entertained with his fantastic music selection between dives. Good vibes from everyone working with us really made the trip special!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/13/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, January 2024
I would recommend buying your trip through Contiki. However, Kakadu dreaming is a relatively short trip and it has some great sites like Katherine Gorge. But overall short. But everyone was lovely. The booking experience was alright, it did it's job and told you everything you needed to know about the trip. However, for what to bring was left to your coach to say.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/06/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2024
There was a real lack of transparency in what was included in this trip, the cost of the trip really blew out as you had no choice but to purchase the add ons as there was no alternative, disappointing to be honest. Were good for the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/07/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, March 2024
Amazing trip, so worth it. lovely bunch of people, Cass the trip manager was great too and so was the driver Cam. We packed so much into the 5 days. Simple and straight forward.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/08/2024
Laura C. - Traveled, April 2024
Cass was amazing so helpful and when out of her way to make sure we all had a great trip. Would highly recommend this trip, it packs a lot into a week culture, scenic flights, swimming under waterfalls and fun night out in Darwin. Super easy to book and Contiki was super helpful when I needed to make changes to my booking.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/09/2024
Ellymay H. - Traveled, May 2024
There was so much I got to do and see the trip is very well organised. I had the most amazing experience. I would highly recommend Kakadu dreaming tour. The tour guide and bus driver were amazing!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/10/2024
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