Wildlife of Australia's Northern Territory

Tour Code: AUS06

A 12-day holiday focusing on the best wildlife sites of Australia's Northern Territory, amongst them the unrivalled wetlands of Kakadu and the spectacular Katherine Gorge.

£7,995

Flight Inclusive

£7,095

Land Only

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Tour Itinerary and Reports

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1 Itinerary

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Georgie Dodds

Tailormade Manager

Email Call 1-844-433-9473

Carbon Footprint

5815kg CO2e

With International Flights

458.5kg CO2e

Tour Only

What does this mean?

Highlights

Enjoy wildlife in spectacular landscapes over 2,000 million years old
Discover Litchfield’s waterfalls, Pine Creek’s rare Hooded Parrot, and the dramatic gorges of Katherine
Explore Kakadu’s vast wetlands, teeming with waterbirds and Estuarine Crocodiles
Experience two unforgettable cruises – Yellow Water Billabong at dawn and a sunset cultural journey through Katherine Gorge
Look for Top End specialities such as Gouldian Finch, Hooded Parrot, Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon, and Purple-crowned Fairy-wren
Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture and view ancient Aboriginal rock art dating back over 20,000 years

Summary

The Northern Territory, known affectionately as ‘the Top End’, holds within its wide range of habitats a truly staggering abundance of wildlife. This spectrum of habitats stretches from the capital, Darwin, fringed with mangroves and rainforest and set against a backdrop of the sparkling waters of the Timor and Arafura Seas, east to the steep escarpments, jagged gorges and tranquil billabongs of Kakadu, then south to the red desert outback of the heartland. It is believed that Australia’s first inhabitants entered the continent through this bountiful land and the Northern Territory contains some of the continent’s oldest evidence of occupation. The rock walls of Kakadu, for example, are decorated with 20,000-year-old rock art, including the X-ray paintings of local wildlife, as well as more recent depictions of the arrival of the Europeans.

We commence with a flight to Darwin via Singapore, where a colourful array of species awaits us, amongst them such specialities as the stunning Red-headed Honeyeater, Rainbow Pitta, Azure Kingfisher and Rose-crowned Fruit-dove. Travelling south, we begin our explorations with a 2-night stay in Litchfield National Park. Here, a sandstone plateau in the centre of the park supports a rich woodland flora and patches of monsoon rainforest which thrive in the deep, narrow gorges created over thousands of years by waterfalls that cascade from, and carve into, the plateau during the rainy season. The park also holds intriguing ‘magnetic’ termite mounds, a range of historical sites, some bizarre weathered sandstone pillars and a good range of wildlife including Antilopine Wallaroo, Agile Wallaby, Sugar Glider, Northern Brushtail Possum, both black and Little Red Flying Foxes, Dingo and abundant birdlife.

Further south lies Pine Creek and, as we journey towards it through open woodland and stony hills, we will keep our eyes open for the rare and attractive Hooded Parrot which nests in termite mounds. Pine Creek was founded in 1870 during the installation of the overland telegraph line from Adelaide to Darwin. Gold was then discovered in 1871, and echoes of the gold rush days are still evident. Today, however, Pine Creek is best known for its birdlife, as the town is located at the junction of temperate and tropical zones and a wide range of species may be found here.

Next, we base ourselves for two nights in the town of Katherine. From here we will explore the 300,000-hectare Katherine Gorge (or Nitmiluk) National Park, where we will take a cruise on the wide and sparkling waters of the Katherine River which lie within this ancient and spectacular sandstone gorge. On the overhanging rock walls, that hold mysterious galleries of Aboriginal art, we will look for rock wallabies, whilst Johnston River Crocodiles may sometimes be seen basking on the sandy river banks.

Kakadu, a World Heritage Site and one of the largest national parks in the world, contains a wealth of scenery and wildlife, including many endangered species, plus one of the world’s greatest concentrations of prehistoric rock art. So ancient is the landscape in this part of the world that rocks such as those in the vicinity of the Alligator River, being around 2,000 million years old, would have witnessed the beginnings of life on Earth! It is, however, the sheer abundance of waterbirds — watched by immense Saltwater Crocodiles and overhead raptors — on which we will focus primarily as we visit the park’s vast floodplains and take a wildlife cruise on the Yellow Water billabong. The most spectacular landform here is the massive Arnhem Land escarpment. This rises dramatically from the plains and contains stunning waterfalls, gorges and pristine rock pools which may best be enjoyed by taking an optional — locally organised — scenic flight over the escarpment. ‘Top End’ endemic birds of this area include Banded Fruit-dove, Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon, White-lined Honeyeater, Sandstone Shrike-thrush, White-throated Grasswren and Silver-crowned Friarbird. We may also catch sight of a marsupial or two, perhaps an Agile or Antilopine Wallaby.

Making our way back to Fogg Dam and other nearby wetland oases, a final dazzling selection of waterbirds awaits us before our holiday ends back in Darwin. From here, a holiday extension is thoroughly recommended within Australia, or for those wishing to enjoy an extended break in Australasia, the dates of this holiday tie in nicely with our 'New Zealand's Natural History' group departure for a back-to-back tour.

Outline Itinerary

Day

Outbound flight

Day

Arrive Darwin

Day

Darwin – Fogg Dam – Litchfield

Day

Litchfield National Park

Day

Litchfield National Park – Pine Creek – Katherine

Day

Katherine

Day

Katherine – Kakadu

Days

8 - 9

Kakadu National Park

Day

Kakadu National Park – Darwin

Days

11 - 12

Inbound flights

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What's Included?

Food

All included in the price, starting with dinner on Day 2 and ending with breakfast on Day 11.

Accommodation

A variety of comfortable lodges, hotels and motels (all rooms with private facilities).

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Dates & Prices

2026

Land Only

£7,095

Flight Inclusive

£7,995

Single Supplement

£1,295

Regional Departures

Would you rather depart from an airport closer to you? Give us a call at 1-844-433-9473 and we'll see what we can do.

Tour Leader

Martin Allen

Martin grew up in the UK and developed an early interest in wildlife, but it was a trip to Costa Rica in 2002 that ignited his enduring passion for birds.

2027

Land Only

£7,195

Flight Inclusive

£8,195

Single Supplement

£1,295

Regional Departures

Would you rather depart from an airport closer to you? Give us a call at 1-844-433-9473 and we'll see what we can do.

Book Now

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!