Exploring the Northern Territories
This northern Australia itinerary immerses you in the vast wilderness of Australia’s Northern Territory. Starting in the Outback, explore the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park before a night on the waterfront in Darwin. A thrilling three night safari takes you through the culture and wildlife of Kakadu National Park before concluding your journey in the Top End, where you’ll enjoy equal measures of adventure and relaxation at a luxury river lodge.
Highlights
- Be mesmerised by the enchanting Field of Light art installation in the Outback
- Learn about the history and cultural significance of Uluru and the Kata Tjuta Domes
- Soak up the eclectic culture of Darwin, Australia’s gateway to Asia
- Explore the wilderness in comfort on a multi-day 4WD safari
- Discover Aboriginal traditions and history through guided excursions
- Experience the waterfalls and wilderness of the Top End
Our bespoke trips include
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your journey.
Days 1–4
Immerse yourself in the Outback
Longitude 131° places you at the heart of Australia’s magnificent Outback, with 15 luxury tents scattered among the red-hued sands. Take in awe-inspiring views of Uluru, the world’s largest sandstone monolith, which dominates the horizon, and spend your days immersing yourself in the wildlife, culture and history of the landscape with a series of immersive activities, before dining under the stars.
Make it mine
Field of Light
Kata Tjuta Domes
Dinner at the Discover Field of Light
This exclusive dining experience combines the award-winning ‘Sounds of Silence’ dinner under the outback sky with the mesmerising Field of Light art installation. Dine under the stars on a lone sand dune with uninterrupted views of Uluru and the domes of Kata Tjuta. Enjoy a dinner of rich Australian flavours before some of the world’s best stargazing, guided by the resident astronomer. Next, the award-winning Field of Light, by internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro, comprises more than 50,000 slender stems crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres over an area the size of seven football fields. Pathways draw viewers into the installation, which comes to life under a sky brilliant with stars.
A tour of Kata Tjuta Domes
Explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, a place where the unique flora and fauna thrive. Your private guide will explain the wonders of this diverse environment and describe the cultural significance of Kata Tjuta as a sacred Aboriginal men’s ceremonial site. Arriving at Walpa Gorge, walk between the 36 mighty conglomerate domes that make up Kata Tjuta and learn how they have evolved over millions of years. Take time to listen to the wind (Walpa) far above and view the scale of the rock walls that surround you.
Days 4–5
One night in Darwin
Fly from the Outback via Alice Springs to Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern territory, to spend a relaxing night by the city’s waterfront. Known as Australia’s gateway to Asia, this lively city is a multicultural hub where you’ll find rich Aboriginal influences, vibrant Asian cuisine and food markets, and scenic sunset cruises along the seafront.
Days
National Park 4WD safari
Discover the vast wonders of Arnhem Land, Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park on a four–day, three–night safari by 4WD, tailored for your specific interests. By night, you’ll rest at cosy, hand-picked lodges, and by day, you’ll travel in comfort in your luxury vehicle with your own private guide, whose deep knowledge of the local culture and environment will enrich your trip. They’ll open your eyes to the secrets of Australia’s wild and wonderful wilderness, using special permission gained from traditional landowners to take you to lesser trodden beauty spots and fascinating historical sites.
Day One
Set off from Darwin and head into Kakadu National Park, a World Heritage listed landscape covering almost 20,000 square kilometres. Rich in cultural heritage, it has been home to the Bininj and Mungguy peoples for tens of thousands of years. Your journey will take you across Cahill’s Crossing over the East Alligator River into Arnhem Land, regarded as one of Australia’s last remaining areas of true wilderness.
The region is alive with traditional culture, with over 100,000 square kilometres of Aboriginal-owned land. In the Aboriginal community of Gunbalanya (Oenpelli), set among dramatic floodplains and sandstone cliffs, you’ll visit the Injalak Arts Centre to learn about one of the world’s oldest traditional art forms and watch the artists at work.
Day Two
Starting in Cooinda, you’ll cruise on Yellow Water Billabong, drifting past wetlands teeming with birdlife and saltwater crocodiles while your guide answers any questions you may have on the area’s biodiversity and Indigenous culture. Continue to one of Kakadu’s hidden treasures, Maguk (Barramundi Gorge), where a crystal clear creek leads to a waterfall plunge pool. Hike to the rock pools above for a truly spectacular swim.
Head south into Nitmiluk National Park – home to the Jawoyn people. Enjoy a swim in the Katherine Hot Springs before retiring to your luxury lodge, where a chilled drink and canapés await to be enjoyed over sunset views.
Day Three
Spend the morning immersed in the beauty of Nitmiluk Gorge on a self-paced canoe adventure through some of Australia’s most idyllic landscapes.Take a scenic trip through the towering sandstone walls, mirrored waters and ancient rock formations of the First Gorge. From here, paddle deeper, exploring the secluded Second Gorge and beyond at your own pace.
Later, your exploration of Nitmiluk National Park continues with a visit to Edith Falls (Leliyn), a serene setting surrounded by the rugged escarpments of the Top End. These sandstone and riverine ecosystems are home to a wealth of native flora and fauna. If you wish, embark on a longer walk to the top of the falls for spectacular views and a rewarding swim in a rock pool.
Travel onwards to the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre in Katherine, where you’ll delve into the rich artistic traditions and cultural heritage of the region, listening to stories from its First Nation communities.
Day Four
On the final day of your journey, continue to Litchfield National Park, a region of striking natural contrasts and remarkable biodiversity, just an hour south of Darwin. The sandstone plateau gives way to verdant woodland and pockets of monsoon rainforest secluded within deep gorges. Start at the Magnetic Termite Mounds, which are aligned to the Earth’s magnetic field, before unwinding at two of Litchfield’s renowned waterholes – Buley Rockhole and Florence Falls. Swim or snorkel in the clear waters, or simply relax in the terraced pools of Buley, surrounded by the tranquility of the bush to conclude your adventure.
Days
Time in the Top End
Your journey concludes in the Top End with a stay at Bullo River Station, set on 500,000 acres of privately owned land at the convergence of the Bullo and Victoria Rivers. This working cattle station gives you an authentic taste of rural life. Spend your days exploring the land, either on foot or by buggy, and your evenings relaxing under epic sunsets.
My wife and I wanted to experience the rugged natural beauty of Western Australia and the Northern Territories. Charlie, Ryan, and Gita of Jacada Travel helped us immensely in making our trip worry free and absolutely delivering for us what we wanted. They helped us pick the right dates for the best chance to swim with the whale sharks as…
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
