By Rama Gaind.
Top End Kakadu Cycle Tour.
When planning a holiday, in this instance to the Northern Territory, there are certain tourist attractions you want to include on the itinerary. Some highlights are discovering the vast landscapes, the Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, rich wildlife and learning about present and past Indigenous history.
There is high demand for active travellers to the Top End. So, to meet that need, World Expeditions, has responded by adding two new expedition-style adventures in the Kakadu National Park. Each is designed for those looking to connect with the park’s wilder regions – in a sustainable way.
The two new active trips are a five-day, fully-supported cycle tour along the backroads in the Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks and a six-day walking tour, comprising some of the most challenging day walks in the heritage-listed park.
The Top End Kakadu Cycle is a week-long exploration of the vast ancient landscape by bike, supported by two wilderness guides happy to share their knowledge of this beautiful land and its importance to Indigenous people. The 1,000km journey, which begins and ends in Darwin, is priced at $2,890 per person, and includes accommodation in an exclusive semi-permanent campsite (two nights) and a comfortable motel/lodge (two nights).
It is a location that excites the senses from the moment you arrive, but it is also a place of amazing history. Kakadu is truly an ancient land with an environment surviving largely untouched and a culture that has endured and maintained cultural connections to country passed down through generations. It is this connection between both an ancient environment and a surviving and celebrated ancient culture that make this region truly worthy of dual World Heritage listing.
Experience Kakadu National Park.
The Top End will live up to people’s imagination with crocodiles, buffalo and barramundi, and images of sweeping landscapes and flood plains.
Keen cyclists will relish the opportunity to explore the magic of the Top End and immerse themselves in some of the parks’ remote rockpools and lesser-known rock art sites. This itinerary provides the added security of vehicle support to trail heads and for the transportation of luggage, making this trip a hassle free and inspiring journey.
Walking challenge
For walkers, the six-day Kakadu Challenger is a specially curated collection of some of the most challenging day walks in the heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, many of which are inaccessible to most visitors due to their remoteness.
A professional support crew will transport luggage and camping gear, leaving participants free to enjoy the diverse scenery, revel in the camaraderie of like-minded travellers and focus on meeting the challenge.
As well as the regular Kakadu Challenger, there’s a women’s-only version and both cost $2,795 per person (twin share), which includes all meals, services of professional guides and camping accommodation.
The new active adventures are in addition to World Expeditions’ Family Kakadu Explorer (kids priced at only $850) and the popular Kakadu Explorer. They all operate between June and August.
Kakadu walking adventure.
The Kakadu National Park covers about 20,000 square kilometres. Waterfalls tumble from the red cliffs, off the Arnhem Land escarpment into shady pools; tranquil wetlands teem with animal and bird life, while 40,000 years of Aboriginal cultural heritage is on display in the numerous hidden rock art galleries. Get away from the crowds on this active, walking-based itinerary, which includes a cruise on the Yellow Waters (favourite haunt of saltwater crocodiles). It’s when you go for a walk beyond the main tourist sites that Kakadu will reveal its true magic.
World Expeditions has a collection of classic walks to remote gorges and sparkling waterfalls, as well as visits to see ancient rock art seen by very few visitors.
The upgraded semi-permanent campsites encourage travellers to relax in idyllic tropical surrounds. The itinerary varies to make the most of the season, choosing the best walks and waterfalls as the wet season floodwaters recede and access opens up. In addition, NT Tourism has some summer sale offers to enable you to enjoy the adventure across the Top End’s tropical wilderness.
DETAILS BOX
World Expeditions
1300 720 000
NT Tourism
