Day 2

Today we head to the southern end of Kakadu National Park. Our first stop is a pristine and famous waterfall, Gunlom, located on Waterfall Creek. This area was immortalised in the first Crocodile Dundee movie, and no wonder – its white sandy beach and 120-metre cascading waterfall are an incredible photo opportunity. A more challenging walk to the top of the waterfall is rewarded with a swim in a natural infinity pool, and the best view for miles overlooking the beautiful South Alligator Valley.

Our next stop is the magical Maguk (Barramundi) Gorge. A one-kilometre walk through sub-monsoon rain forest leads to the base of a beautiful plunge pool. Maguk Gorge is a natural wonder of crystal-clear water surrounded by towering rock walls, the ideal place to enjoy a refreshing swim in paradise.

Later we return to our exclusive permanent bush camp for a night of relaxation in the beauty and tranquility of Kakadu National Park.

Day 3

Today we are privileged to visit Arnhem Land, the home of Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years. Access to this area is restricted to a select group of tour operators, and we are allowed to visit this area only by invitation of the traditional owners, who may deny access at any time. Lords Safaris has a proud history of more than 25 years working with the indigenous people of Arnhem Land and Kakadu to ensure the best experience for both the local communities and our clients.

Departing the northern region of Kakadu National Park, we cross the infamous Cahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River and enter Arnhem Land.

A 15-kilometre scenic drive to the Gunbalanya Indigenous Community provides some of the best driving views in the Top End, taking in floodplains, billabongs and the Arnhem Land escarpment. Gunbalanya is the Aboriginal name for the Oenpelli settlement (which was originally a mission). The area includes the floodplains of the East Alligator River that are covered by water from December to April and a rocky sandstone plateau rising up to 200 metres above the plains.

Upon arrival at Gunbalanya you will visit the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre. Visitors to Injalak will experience the traditional culture of the Kunwinjku people. Here you have the opportunity to experience traditional art in an intimate setting where you can get to know the artist and see firsthand how artworks are created.

Opened in 1989, Injalak Arts is a nonprofit Aboriginal-owned social enterprise whose members are the artists and community. Injalak artists produce traditional art inspired by ancient Dreamtime stories, the nearby rock art galleries and an unbroken link between the present generation of Kunwinjku people and their ancestors.

At the Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre there is an opportunity to browse and purchase a range of affordable art in different mediums and styles reflective of the ingenuity of the Kunwinjku people. Injalak caters to both the affordable and fine art markets. Artworks available include paintings on paper and bark, carvings, artefacts such as clap sticks, didgeridoos mimi poles and lorrkons, fibre works such as baskets and grass pandanus floor mats, and special edition prints.

The journey ends with your return to Darwin after three magical days amidst the natural beauty, incredible wildlife and rich cultural traditions of the Northern Territory.

Day 2

Today we visit Koolpin Gorge, known as the Jewel in the Crown of Kakadu and also Kakadu National Park’s best kept secret.

Koolpin Gorge is in the southern part of the park, in high-clearance 4WD country. Koolpin Gorge’s Aboriginal name is Jarrangbarnmi, which comes from the Jawoyn words “jarrang,” meaning flood or big water flow, and “barn,” meaning rift or gap.

This beautiful place is carefully protected as a fragile and restricted area with significant natural and cultural value. Permits are needed to travel here and visitor numbers are strictly controlled. Lords Safaris is one of a limited number of operators that are allowed into this restricted area.

This is a breathtaking, isolated area still in a pristine wilderness state. Here we can walk, scramble or climb the seemingly endless series of gorges and be rewarded with an ever-changing landscape, crystalline waters and infinite views. There are waterfalls, plunge pools, white sandy beaches and more. Koolpin Creek flows down several hundred feet through a series of cascades and pools often called the “Giant’s Staircase.”

Day 3

Today we visit two of Kakadu’s icons – Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls. Both waterfalls are set in the magnificent Arnhem Land escarpment. This is a day of adventure for the more active traveller and access to these two magical areas is only available by 4WD.

Jim Jim Gorge is a 900-metre walk over rocks through the subtropical rain forest. As we bushwalk, we take time to marvel at the inspiring 200-metre-high cliffs towering on both sides of the walk. At the base of the falls we will enjoy a swim in the magnificent plunge pool. (Please note that the falls may finish flowing in the dry season at the end of June.)

The journey on to Twin Falls begins with a 12-kilometre trip by 4WD, then a short stroll to the edge of the water. From here we board a boat cruise that allows us to relax and marvel at the changing hues of the Arnhem Land Escarpment. At the end of the cruise it is a short walk to the base of Twin Falls, where we enjoy the sandy beach and the shade of the pandanus trees. Here we take time to better understand why these places are important not only to us as visitors but also sacred to the Aboriginal people of Kakadu National Park.

Day 4

Today we head to the southern end of Kakadu National Park to discover a pristine waterfall in Maguk (Barramundi) Gorge.

A one-kilometre walk through sub-monsoon rain forest leads to the base of a beautiful plunge pool. Maguk Gorge is a natural wonder of crystal-clear water surrounded by towering rock walls, the ideal place to enjoy a refreshing swim in paradise.

The journey ends with your return to Darwin after four magical days amidst the natural beauty, incredible wildlife and rich cultural traditions of the Northern Territory.