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4WD Kakadu & Koolpin Tour - Camping

The dedicated adventurer's Kakadu: five days by 4WD through Jim Jim Falls, Maguk, Gunlom and Ubirr, plus permit-restricted Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge), with a sunset Yellow Waters cruise and real camps.

4 116 Google reviews 📍 Darwin & Top End ⏱ 5 Days 👥 Minimum Group Size: 5 , Maximum Group Size: 12 🔥 Active

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$1,849 AUD

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4 from 116 Google reviews

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Overview

Most Kakadu tours work the edges. This one holds a permit for Jarrangbarnmi, Koolpin Gorge, a restricted area of stacked pools and quiet water that the vast majority of visitors will never be allowed into. That's the difference five days and a serious operator makes. The itinerary is a Top End greatest-hits with the crowds edited out: 4WD in to Jim Jim Falls (or Motor Car Falls if it's closed), the paperbark hike and plunge-pool swim at Maguk, Gunlom Falls, Ikoymarrwa rockhole, the Warradjan Cultural Centre, and Ubirr's rock art with sunset views over the Nardab floodplains into Arnhem Land. A two-hour sunset cruise on Yellow Waters handles the wildlife-spotting in style. Camps are proper: safari tents or swags with pillows and sheets, toilets and showers at every site, screened dining areas and fresh, healthy meals throughout. Groups run 5 to 12. BYO drinks, cans only, no hard liquor or goon, and yes, they've heard all the goon jokes.

Trip highlights

1

Permit-only Koolpin Gorge

2

4WD to Jim Jim Falls

3

Sunset Yellow Waters cruise

4

Ubirr rock art at sunset

5

Swim Maguk and Gunlom

6

Real camps with showers

Photos

Itinerary at a glance

1 Day 1

Darwin – Kakadu Pick up at 8-8:30am from your nominated accommodation in Darwin. We start our Kakadu tour by heading towards the world heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, with a stopover and the iconic Australiana Bark Hut for quick refreshment. Stop & enjoy the sights of the tidal East Alligator River with the opportunity to spot some crocs and flying foxes! Then on to the world famous Ubirr in the North of the park. Some of the best examples of Northern Australian rock art can be found here. Learn about the art from your guide and the meaning behind these special paintings. A climb to the top is rewarded with staggering 360º views over the Nardab Floodplains and into Arnhem Land. Tonight, we camp at our exclusive safari camp at Mardukal Billabong in the heart of Kakadu. Enjoy sitting around an open campfire enjoying a cool beverage or a toasted marshmallow. Walking distance: 3 km Meals: Lunch & dinner

2 Day 2

Kakadu After breakfast, we do some 4-wheel driving to Jim Jim Falls. A 1 km walk through the gorge surrounded by towering 200m high sandstone cliffs leads to the impressive plunge pool for a well-deserved refreshing swim or simply relax on the beach whilst taking in the breathtaking views. If access to Jim Jim Falls is closed, we’ll visit another one of Kakadu’s natural attractions instead: The Yurmikmik region of Southern Kakadu includes Motor Car Falls, one of the few options offering walks to waterfalls, swimming holes, and panoramic viewpoints. Visit to the Warradjan Cultural Centre is a wonderful opportunity to gain some insight into the traditional owners of Kakadu through interactive displays and demonstrations. This evening, we will enjoy 2-hour Sunset Cruise on the famous Yellow Waters. Here, we will have the opportunity to see spectacular wildlife, including abundant birdlife and crocodiles in their natural habitat. We then return to our safari camp at Mardukal Billabong and relax around the campfire after some dinner. * Please note that Kakadu National Park has made the decision to close Jim Jim Falls for the 2026 dry season, so departures during this period will visit the Yurmikmik region and Motor Car Falls instead. Walking distance: 5 km Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

3 Day 3

Kakadu After some breakfast we then make our way to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). A 1km hike through a paperbark forest with some rock scrambling leads to the plunge pool for a cool swim in a pristine environment, teeming with black bream and barramundi this is a place like no other. This afternoon is spent exploring Gunlom Falls in the Southern end of Kakadu. A hike to the top is rewarded with a swim in the naturally occurring infinity pools whilst taking in the panoramic views of Southern Kakadu. The bottom plunge pool and beach are not to be missed, made famous in the Crocodile Dundee movie it’s a great place to relax and soak up the atmosphere of this special place. Tonight, we camp at Gunlom Falls in tents and swags. Walking distance: 5 km Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

4 Day 4

Kakadu - Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) Today, we spend the entire day exploring the magnificent Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge), the jewel in the crown, this is a special permit access area that is recognised for its cultural and environmental sensitivity. Territory Expeditions is the only tour operator that can offer regular tours to this area and is grateful to the traditional owners for allowing us to have this opportunity. The walk up the gorge is a real wilderness walk and requires a proficient level of fitness with great rewards on arrival to some of the National Parks, most spectacular rock pools, waterfalls, and rock landscapes. This remote location is restricted to only 40 people per day and is home to several endemic species of flora and fauna. Tonight, we camp back at Gunlom Falls in tents and swags. Walking distance: 5-8 km Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

5 Day 5

Kakadu to Darwin This morning, we visit Old Goodparla Homestead, this was one of the first cattle stations occupied by the early pastoralists of the Kakadu region before being declared a national park. A fantastic opportunity to see how Europeans lived and struggled in the early days with many of the remnants remaining, a glimpse into the past. Then we visit Ikoymarrwa (Moline Rockhole), a special permit area that is spring fed and flows all year round, this is the last opportunity for a swim in Kakadu before preparing for the drive back to Darwin. Return to Darwin via the historic town of Pine Creek, arriving back in Darwin at approximately 5pm. Walking distance: 2 km Meals: Breakfast & lunch. Itinerary may be done in reverse at Guides discretion. All itineraries are subject to change without notice due to seasonal and extreme weather conditions, national park road or attraction closures and cultural commitments from Traditional owners. All tours must be reconfirmed 24 hrs prior to travel.

What's in the box

What's included

  • Pick up from your accommodation
  • Fresh, healthy meals (4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners + snacks)
  • Comfortable air-conditioned transport (All-terrain vehicle)
  • Knowledgeable and experienced tour guide
  • National Park Fees
  • Safari tent or swag accommodation with pillow and sheets included
  • Toilets and showers at each camp
  • Large screened undercover camp area for meals
  • Small groups
  • Great walks / hikes that avoid huge crowds
  • Interpretation of the natural and cultural features of the Northern Territory
  • Swimming in idyllic locations

Not included

  • Sleeping bags are not provided. These can be hired directly when booking for $35.
  • BYO alcohol (no hard liquor or goon allowed; pre-mixed cans are ok)

Common questions about this trip

  • What's the cancellation policy?

    Cancellation terms for this trip are set by Territory Expeditions, the operator, and are confirmed on your booking voucher. Refunds mirror the operator's policy, if they can refund, so can we. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 and we chase it on your behalf; if the operator cancels, you're fully refunded. Message us for the exact day-by-day terms before you book.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Verified reviews of the vetted operator who runs this tour on the ground.

The operator's track record

4 on Google · 116 reviews
via Tripadvisor
"There was a short cruise, walking, rock art, a fire at night, lots of swimming in beautiful waterholes, termite mounds and some 4WD driving to get to these wonderful places."
I

Ian C.

Verified traveller

via Tripadvisor
"Highlights included Ubirr’s breathtaking rock art and landscapes, swimming at Jim Jim Falls, Maguk, and Gunlom Falls."
E

Emma P.

Verified traveller

via Tripadvisor
"We saw so many outstanding places and different wildlife species, and learning about the aboriginal people and the history of the locations was brilliant."
I

Ianthe M.

Verified traveller

Verified traveller reviews · shown as excerpts.

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