Top End Highlights

Darwin is the kind of place that excites all your senses. It’s always steamy, which means you have a constant glow. The aroma of tropical fruits wafts from markets. The horizons are wide and sunsets blazing. Take in sights and attractions that tell stories of the NT capital’s unexpected history on a city tour. As the day begins to disappear, follow the lead of the colourful locals to the Mindil Beach Sunset Market, where you'll meet some of them. Your Travel Director will give you the lowdown, highlighting the eclectic range of cuisine on offer – expect everything from Greek to Japanese. What a tasty start to your getaway.

The ancient landscapes of Litchfield National Park are shaped by water, as you’ll fast discover when exploring this immense protected wilderness. There are lakes and rivers, waterfalls and waterholes. Get set to visit Florence Falls, then take a dip (seasonal) in the gin-clear pool of Wangi Falls, this dreamy setting enveloped by monsoon forest. The landscape is also shaped by termites. The national park is pocked with enormous termite mounds, which are architectural feats complete with tunnels and nursery chambers. Small creatures with a big vision.

Join Manuel Pamkal, Aboriginal artist and prominent Katherine local, at his Top Didj Cultural Experience. You'll learn different techniques behind Aboriginal art styles, and hear about Manuel's life growing up near the King River. Katherine is a little bit tropical, a little bit outback, and a whole lot gorgeous. The region’s main attraction is its gaping Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, which carves the countryside in spectacular form. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, your guides will share their knowledge of plants, animals, dreamtime stories and their culture. Sit back on your boat and enjoy a cruise through this ancient landscape, home to the Jawoyn people for millennia.

Today is your chance to reset your body’s natural rhythms with a morning dip in Edith Falls – because days are better when you begin them with your head under water. (Please note that swimming at Edith Falls is seasonal and opening is controlled by National Parks) This series of cascades in Nitmiluk National Park will set your pulse racing. Before venturing deep into Kakadu, you’re poised for refreshments with a short stopover in the film-set-like town of Pine Creek, where buildings date back to the heady gold rush days. In Kakadu, you’ll take a guided walk to view ancient Aboriginal rock art at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie).

If you want a different perspective, sign up for an optional scenic flight over the national park, revealing just how wide, wild and wonderful this part of the world really is. Australia is home to some of the oldest art in the world, and much of it decorates rock walls at Ubirr – this jaw-dropping site protects Aboriginal rock paintings and carvings dating back more than 20,000 years. If you thought that was impressive, wait till you see the view over Kakadu from the top of the escarpment. This afternoon, there’s nothing between you and nature, the dramatic escarpments, waterholes and abundant wildlife of Kakadu looming large. Speaking of large, there are saltwater crocs to spot while you drift away on a Yellow Water Billabong cruise. Your local guide will share the secrets of these ancient waterways. Top off your holiday sharing a Farewell Dinner with your Travel Director and travel mates.

Following your Kakadu tour, you may also spot enormous ‘salties’ lurking in river crossings you pass by. Plus you may also see them at Fogg Dam. But here you will definitely witness a cacophony of birds. This really is a twitcher's paradise. A fitting (and slightly noisy) end to this epic wilderness journey.