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here for the actual trip notes for this tour
ITINERARY
GC TOURS & SAFARIS
Day
1
-;
L, Accommodated - You will be picked up by our touring partner
(Travel North) from your Darwin accommodation. This is the
start of a wonderful experience in the Top End of the Northern
Territory. Today you will travel through Litchfield National
Park. Famous for its accessible waterfalls with lovely clear
and safe swimming holes, Litchfield will be an enticing taste
of what the Territory has to offer. After Litchfield,
the journey continues down the historic Stuart Highway, through
the towns of Adelaide River and Pine creek, where your guide
will convey much of the interesting history of the settlement
in the area. Upon arrival in Katherine, you will be taken
to your accommodation. Tonights meal is your choice (ask your
guide for dining suggestions).
Day
2
-;
L, D, Camping - You will be met at your Katherine accommodation
between 7-7:30 am (0700-0730). You will then be transferred
in a 4WD vehicle to Gecko premises, where you will pack your
personal effects required for the tour into waterproof bags.
You will be fitted with Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) a
requirement, to be worn whilst on the river. You will then
be transferred to the Katherine River in a 4WD vehicle,
sometimes over un-made roads and tracks. A safety brief and
paddling instructions for kayaking and canoeing will
be given before entering the water. At a relaxing rate, there
will be stops along the river for a morning break, lunch,
swim and time to view the diverse river environment, bird
and wildlife. Approximately 4 pm (1600) you will step ashore
for an overnight remote camping experience (no set campsites).
There will be time to relax; fish or read all whilst your
guide prepares the evening meal. After a campfire meal, enjoyed
with your favourite bottle of wine or spirit, sleep in a bed-roll
(swag) under a blanket of stars.
Day 3
-; B,L,D,
Camping - Wake to a dawn chorus in the brisk morning air.
There is time for an early morning swim. After a hearty cooked
breakfast, we pack-up camp and continue paddling down-stream.
As we get further from immediate civilisation, the feel of
remoteness sets in. The river continues to change from shady
paperbark forests to lush pandanus channels, through open
sections, surrounded by the river woods and over some small
sparkling rapids which are fun and easy to negotiate. At the
end of this satisfying day, you will find yourself in a bit
of a routine and will have camp set-up quickly. Leaving yourself
enough time to explore, relax, chat , check-out some animal
tracks or just 'find yourself'.
Day
4
-; B,L,D,
Accommodated -; After continuing down through the ever-changing
river scenery, you will feel truly 'connected' with your surrounds,
hearing every little chirp, rustle and splash and then spotting
the initiator of these'sounds of the bush'. At approximately
2:30pm (14:30), you will be picked up from the river and transferred
in a 4WD back to Gecko premises to collect your belongings.
You will then be transferred to your Katherine (option
chosen) accommodation. Tour end 5:30 pm approximately.
Tonight, we will treat you to dinner at a local 'outdoor dining'
ala carte restaurant. Kumbidgee Lodge is an acclaimed, hearty
style eating house with wholesome tucker and good old fashion
service, indicative of the 'outback hospitality' in Katherine
Day 5
'Nitmiluk
National Park' on a full day Gorge Tour. This is the
flagship of the famous 'Nitmiluk Gorge' experiences. Feel
the magic of the gorge at a relaxed leisurely pace. Your knowledgeable
guides will bring to life the stories of Bula the Creator,
and Nabilil, a dragon like creature of the mythology who camped
at the entrance to the gorge and heard the song of the cicada
-; Nit…Nit…Nit, and called the place Nitmiluk.
This safari experience takes you through the first 5 of 13
breathtaking gorges. There is plenty of time to swim, explore
or to just sit and relax and take in the amazing sights of
the area. Delicious morning and afternoon teas, as well as
a BBQ lunch is included in the tour. A return shuttle is included
of course.
Please note
walking of approximately 5 kilometres total distance is necessary,
so please wear appropriate footwear.
Day 6
-; L,D, Camping
-You will be picked up after breakfast, by your professional
guide who will greet you with a smile, then you will tour
in a 4WD vehicle to Kakadu National Park visiting the
following areas:
Edith Falls
-; walk to the top of Edith Falls for a refreshing
swim and morning snack. Continue on the loop walk to the scenic
lookout over the falls and return to the base before continuing
onto Pine Creek.
Pine Creek
-; Here there will be another chance for a leg stretch and
visit to the Hard Rock Café for a mango smoothie. Lunch
will be provided at the Pine Creek Water Gardens after a visit
to the old Gold Mine Lookout.
Gunlom
-; This will be your overnight camp where you will have time
in the afternoon to swim either at the base of the fall, or
take a scenic walk to the top and explore the waterholes and
relax with stunning views.
Day 7
-; B,L,D,
Camping - An early morning start will get us into Koolpin
Gorge. A 4WD experience to get there, but well worth the
time spent. Most of the day will be spent exploring the area,
leaving the afternoon to travel to Yellow Water for a sunset
boat cruise. This will allow you to see a part of the wetlands
up close getting into the habitats of the crocodiles and kingfishers.
Camp will be set up at Mardugal for the night.
Day 8
-; B,L -
Another early morning allows time to journey to Ubirr
(gates open at 8:30am) where you can explore both ancient
rock art and amazing views from the rocky outcrops. From here
we continue onto the lower section of the South Alligator
River for lunch and then onto the Adelaide River for a
Crocodile/Wildlife cruise. This will enable you to get
that close up photo of the Estuarine Crocodile to show your
friends.
Once we leave
the Adelaide River, it is a continuous run into Darwin where
your guide will drop you at your accommodation and bid you
farewell.
NOTE:
During the months of April to June due seasonal conditions
the itinerary may offer alternative touring.
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