Kakadu – 5 day itinerary

World-renowned Kakadu National Park is recognised for both its cultural and natural values and is a must-do when travelling the Northern Territory.

Day 1: Darwin to Kakadu National Park

Begin your Kakadu adventure from Darwin – an easy 3-hour drive along sealed roads. There’s plenty to do and see on the way to Kakadu, including the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise and Corroboree Billabong Wetland Cruise. Upon arrival into Jabiru, visit the Bowali Visitor Centre to learn more about the region and then check into your accommodation at Anbinik Kakadu Resort or the Mecure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel. Enjoy a swim at the hotel pool and dinner at the hotels respective restaurants.

Day 2: Kakadu National Park

After breakfast, head to the East Alligator River and join the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise. This cruises focused on Aboriginal culture, crosses into Arnhem Land and also takes guests to Cahills Crossing, the infamous road into Arnhem Land. After the cruise, visit the Ubirr Rock Art site, home of the world’s most outstanding rock art and is one of the reasons for Kakadu’s dual World Heritage status. There is an easy 1km walking track to view the artwork.

Head back to Jabiru for lunch and visit the Marrawuddi Arts and Culture Centre, enjoy a swim in the hotel pool and some relax time before dinner.

Day 3: Cooinda, Kakadu National Park

After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and head south to Burrungkay (Nourlangie) Rock Art Site. This is another area that helped Kakadu National Park gain its World Heritage-listing for outstanding cultural values. The rock art at Burrungkay documents life in the region from 20,000 years ago to the first contact with European explorers. This is an easy walking track. 

Head to the Nawurlandja Lookout, just a few minutes up the road, which has world-class views across Anbangbang Billabong to Burrungkuy Nourlangie and the Arnhem Land escarpment.

Drive to Cooinda, and enjoy lunch before checking into Cooinda Lodge.  Relax with a quick swim in the pool before departing on a late afternoon Yellow Water Cruise.  Choose Mimi’s or the Barra Bistro and Bar for dinner at Cooinda Lodge. 

Day 4: Cooinda, Kakadu National Park

Start your day with a refreshing dip and breakfast at Cooinda Lodge, before heading to Warradjan Cultural Centre to learn about the Aboriginal history in this region, and purchase some unique Aboriginal artwork and artefacts.

There are many short walks on offer in Kakadu National Park suitable for all fitness levels including the Kungardun walk,  Mardukal Billabong walk and Bukbukluk Lookout walk which are all short distances from Cooinda.

In the afternoon enjoy a scenic flight with Kakadu Air Services to really understand the breadth and width of Australia’s most famous National Park. 

Overnight at Cooinda before setting off tomorrow. 

Day 5: Kakadu to Darwin

Spend the day travelling to Darwin either via the Arnhem Highway (the way you came), or for something different, travel south on the Kakadu Highway and stop in at Litchfield National Park along the way.

Along this route, you can check out Pine Creek, Adelaide River, the Douglas Daly region and Berry Springs. While in Litchfield National Park stop in at Florence Falls, Buley Rockhole and Wangi Falls before heading back to Darwin.

*You’ll need a separate park passes to visit Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park.

Get your Kakadu Pass here and Litchfield Pass here.