The living landscape – 7 days

Stand in the shadow of vast stone escarpments and hike to restricted areas of rich beauty in an unforgettable week.

Begin your cultural exploration with a leisurely drive from Darwin to Kakadu.

Get away early and stop in at Fogg Dam conservation area to engage with local Aboriginal people, the environment and wildlife at Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours.

Take a selfie at the park entry before visiting Mamukala Bird Hide (300 m return walk).

Spend the afternoon at Bowali Visitor Centre, chat with staff about your trip, explore the interpretive display and find out about Kakadu’s history. You can also watch documentaries.

Stay overnight in Jabiru at one of the campgrounds, hotels, lodges or cabins. Refuel and restock at the supermarket and dine at one of the fantastic restaurants for some locally-inspired cuisine.

Get acquainted with the park’s world-renowned rock art, count crocodiles, take a river cruise, and finish with a famous Kakadu sunset on day two.

Have an early breakfast before heading to the East Alligator River. The Bardedjilidji walk near the upstream boadramp will surprise you with rugged sandstone formations, riverside views and an ancient occupational shelter.

Get aboard the guided Guluyambi Cultural Cruise and discover ancient Indigenous stories and activities.

Enjoy a packed lunch before doing some crocodile spotting at Cahills Crossing. Or enjoy the shady and wheelchair friendly Manngarre walk (1.2 km return walk), which starts near East Alligator River downstream boat ramp, takes you through monsoon rainforest with iconic wildlife including orange-footed scrub fowls, rainbow pittas and flying foxes.

It’s only a 2 minute drive to Ubirr rock art site. A short walk passes some of Kakadu’s most famous rock art before a short, steep climb to Nadab lookout gives you a view that never disappoints. For an amazing sunset experience, sit back with the family in the backyard of the world’s oldest continuing culture.

Stay overnight in Jabiru.

Today you’ll feel the spirits on country before ending the day cruising through the Yellow Water Wetlands, surrounded by crocodiles and flocks of majestic water birds.

From Jabiru make your way to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site and lookout (1 km return walk). Take a walk through shaded rock shelters, an ancient occupational shelter and several major rock art sites.

Next stop is Nawurlandja lookout. It’s a short and moderately steep hike to the lookout which offers fantastic views of Burrungkuy and the Arnhem Land escarpment. Follow this with a quiet walk around Anbangbang Billabong (2.5 km loop walk), spot birds and wildlife, and enjoy a picnic lunch.

After lunch continue your journey through this dual World Heritage-listed park into the Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) region.

Visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn more about local culture.

Enjoy a Yellow Water sunset cruise in the afternoon. The stunning wetlands of Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) and the South Alligator River is home to hundreds of birds, crocodiles and other animal species, and the sunset is a serene highlight.

Stay overnight in Cooinda or head to Mardukal campground (6 km from Cooinda).

Today is about towering cliffs and dramatic beauty as you drive to Jim Jim Falls, deep in Kakadu. These sites are well off the beaten track and popular with all ages.

Leave early for Jim Jim Falls and surrounds. A 4WD with high clearance is essential for this leg of your trip and it’s a long drive, so take a comfort stop at Karnamarr campground.

Before heading deep into the sandstone gorge of Jim Jim Falls taek a little detour to the day use area on the Jim Jim Creek. The Budjmi lookout walk provides a beautiful spot to sit quietly, listen to the birds below and look out over the woodlands and surrounding escarpment cliffs.

Spend the rest of day hiking deep into the gorge at Jim Jim Falls. The walk (1.8 km return) leading through monsoonal rainforest along Jim Jim Creek becomes gradually more challenging as rocks and boulders increase in size and the surrounding sheer cliffs become more pronounced.

Stay overnight at Cooinda.

Tip: Check your rental car agreement before attempting to cross Jim Jim Creek, and find out road conditions in the Kakadu access report.

Day five brings more spectacular beauty – this time at Maguk where you can enjoy spectacular views and do some camping.

After breakfast, grab a packed lunch, jump in your 4WD, and head from Cooinda to Maguk (2 km return walk from Maguk car park). Hike through monsoon forest and along a sandy and rocky creek to a small waterfall.

To get a sense of stone country, drop into Bukbukluk lookout (400 m return walk) for beautiful views, bird calls and to see what’s in flower.

Stop at Mary River Ranger Station to check out the old mining equipment and read stories about the Jawoyn people’s fight for land rights (leave caravans here then head to Yurmikmik).

Next, take the gravel road to Yurmikmik and take in the scenic views of Kakadu’s southern hills and ridges. Choose one of the interconnected walks like the 7.5 km return walk to Motor Car Falls. Stay overnight at Karnamarr campground which has showers, toilets and fire pits. It’s a popular place for families to camp and the picnic area has free gas barbecues.

Visit Jawoyn country – a restricted area rich in beauty - for some of the best bushwalking tracks in Kakadu, and reach hidden swimming spots on day six.

Take a picnic lunch and plenty of drinking water today. If you have a high-clearance 4WD experience pristine Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge). This is one of Kakadu’s hidden gems with rugged beauty, spectacular cascades and waterholes, as well as diverse and rare plants and animals.

Apply for a permit early (permits can be obtained in advance from Kakadu Permits, allow at least two weeks for processing) as only a limited number of people are allowed into this culturally sensitive area at any one time.

Camp overnight at Jarrangbarnmi, Kambolgie, or return to Karnamarr campground.

On day seven, say a fond farewell to Kakadu.

Relax on the three-hour drive back to Darwin. Or, if you can’t get enough of the Top End’s rugged beauty, turn south and explore Nitmuluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park.