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Journey Beyond Rail · Small-group touring (rail add-on)

Connect with Kakadu

Small-group 4WD touring of Kakadu and Litchfield parks from Darwin

Illustration of Connect with Kakadu

Connect with Kakadu is a 5-day, 4-night small-group touring package run by Journey Beyond Rail in partnership with Outback Spirit Tours. The journey spans Darwin, Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park in Australia's Top End. You begin with a leisure day in Darwin before traveling the Arnhem Highway toward Kakadu, stopping for a Mary River cruise to spot saltwater crocodiles and birdlife. Days in the national park include a walk to the Ubirr World Heritage rock art site, a local indigenous-led cruise on the East Alligator River, and a 30-minute scenic flight over ancient escarpments and floodplains. On the return to Darwin, you detour to Litchfield National Park to swim at Wangi Falls amid monsoon forests and termite mounds. All accommodation, meals, transport and guided activities are included. The package is designed as an add-on to The Ghan rail journey but stands alone as a touring experience for travellers seeking guided comfort, wildlife encounters and access to Australia's natural heritage.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a 4WD coach tour, not a train journey; it is marketed as an add-on to The Ghan rail expedition. If you are seeking a rail-based holiday, this package is ground touring only.
  • The itinerary is subject to seasonal change; during March and April, some cruises and activities may move to different locations (Adelaide River, South Alligator River, Nourlangie Rock).
  • An extra night in Darwin for guests joining The Ghan on Wednesday is available at additional cost and is not included in the base package price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Adina Apartment Darwin Hotel Waterfront (1 night)

    Arrive Darwin

    Darwin is yours to explore at leisure before checking in to accommodation.

  2. Day 2overnight: Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (2 nights)

    Darwin to Kakadu National Park

    Travel the Arnhem Highway past Humpty Doo's tropical fruit region and the Adelaide River wetlands. Cruise the Mary River spotting saltwater crocodiles and birdlife, then continue to World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park and check in at Jabiru. During March and April the cruise runs on the Adelaide River with crossings at Mary, West and South Alligator Rivers; due to availability some stays may be at Cooinda Lodge.

  3. Day 3

    Kakadu National Park

    Drive to the East Alligator River region, walk to the World Heritage Ubirr art site, and take a local indigenous cruise on the East Alligator River. Visit Oenpelli and the Injalak gallery, then take a 30-minute scenic flight over ancient escarpments, floodplains and winding rivers. During March and April, touring may instead visit Nourlangie Rock Art and the Bowali Visitor Centre and cruise the South Alligator River.

  4. Day 4overnight: Adina Apartment Darwin Hotel Waterfront (1 night)

    Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park, Darwin

    Return via the Arnhem Highway, diverting to Batchelor for Litchfield National Park's monsoon forests, termite mounds and waterfalls, stopping at Florence Falls and Wangi Falls for a swim, before returning to Darwin.

  5. Day 5

    Farewell

    Check out of accommodation after breakfast and farewell Darwin.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Cruise the Mary River spotting saltwater crocodiles and birdlife as you travel toward Kakadu National Park.
  • Day 3Walk to the Ubirr art site to see World Heritage rock art, then take a local indigenous cruise on the East Alligator River.
  • Day 3Fly 30 minutes above ancient escarpments, floodplains and winding rivers in a scenic flight over Kakadu.
  • Day 4Swim at Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park before returning to Darwin.

Included

  • 1 night accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast
  • 2 nights intimate small-group Kakadu, East Alligator River and Litchfield touring with Outback Spirit Tours, travelling on board a state-of-the-art 4WD Mercedes-Benz vehicle, including accommodation, guided touring and meals
  • 1 night accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast
  • 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Not included

  • Extra night accommodation in Darwin for guests joining The Ghan Expedition on Wednesday (at additional expense)

Questions travellers ask

Is this a train trip?
No. This is a small-group 4WD coach tour run by Outback Spirit Tours. Journey Beyond Rail offers it as an add-on before or after The Ghan rail journey, but the package itself involves only ground transport and cruises.
What is included in the price?
Accommodation at the Adina Apartment Darwin Hotel Waterfront (2 nights total) and Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (2 nights), all guided touring, 4WD transport, Mary River and East Alligator River cruises, the scenic flight, entry to Kakadu and Litchfield parks, and 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners.
Is the tour guided?
Yes. Journey Beyond Rail partners with Outback Spirit Tours, which provides small-group guided touring throughout the 5 days.
Will I see crocodiles and wildlife?
Yes. The Mary River cruise is specifically for spotting saltwater crocodiles and birdlife. The East Alligator River cruise is led by local indigenous guides. The scenic flight passes over floodplains and rivers where wildlife inhabits the landscape.
When does the tour run?
Departures run in two seasons: March to April and May to October. The itinerary may vary seasonally; some activities shift location during the wet season (March and April).
How much walking is involved?
You will walk to the Ubirr rock art site, walk to waterfalls for swimming at Litchfield, and walk at various stops during the touring. Most days are vehicle-based travel with guided stops.

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