Top End lodge adventure 6-day self-drive itinerary

Looking for luxury with a twist of adventure? Discover these Top End lodges where you’ll find yourself immersed in nature without giving up the indulgence and comfort of a true getaway. Top End Lodges offer the perfect balance of escape and luxury for an unforgettable holiday experience.

Explore Kakadu National Park, Nitmiluk National Park and Litchfield National Park while staying in some of the unique luxurious lodges of the Top End. All are within easy reach of Darwin, making a lodge stay a perfect addition to a visit to Darwin.

Depart Darwin and drive south along Stuart then Arnhem Highway for approximately 3 hours to arrive at Cooinda Lodge and the green heart of Kakadu National Park. Take a break during the drive and stop at Adelaide River where you can join a jumping crocodile cruise.

Cooinda Lodge offers a variety of accommodation styles from luxe family-friendly villas, lodge rooms and glamping tents. Additionally, Yellow Water Campground has both powered and unpowered sites with great communal facilities like camp kitchen and modern amenities blocks. Pop-up tents are equipped with beds and linen - a great option for budget travellers. All guests have access to lodge facilities such as swimming pool, restaurants and landscaped garden areas.

Cooinda Lodge is like a small self-contained community within Kakadu. As well as accommodation, there's a general store with fuel station, tour bookings, boat ramp and neighbouring Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre which welcomes visitors.Yellow Water Cruises depart from Cooinda Lodge and Cooinda Airstrip is nearby.

Get an early start to board the Yellow Water Cruise experience, which departs from Cooinda Lodge. It’s a must do for anyone visiting Kakadu National Park. If you’re not an early riser, there are cruises departing later in the day, including at sunset. Spot wildlife along the banks of the river in the early morning or crocodiles sun baking in the late afternoon. Yellow Waters is an ever-changingecosystem which is both beautiful and fascinating. Every cruise is different and offers a unique experience, depending on the season and wildlife activity.

After your cruise, call intoWarradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn more about the traditional owners and the natural cycles of the flora and fauna of the area.

Later, visit some of the best World-Heritage listed sites around Kakadu like the walking trails which wind through escarpments and floodplains, along with waterfalls and ancient rock art galleries.

Depart Kakadu National Park and make your way to Cicada Lodge in Katherine (around 4 hours drive).

Cicada Lodge is your sanctuary from which to embrace the ancient landscapes and Aboriginal culture in the iconic Nitmiluk National Park. The lodge is a joint venture between the Jawoyn people and Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), and the perfect base to explore Nitmiluk Gorge and the National Park.

Take advantage of the morning light for an aerial adventure and helicopter tour over Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Fly over the 13 gorges of the Nitmiluk system, or for something extra special, land at a remote waterhole. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy your own pristine swimming hole with crystal clear waters and not a soul to disturb the peace.

Back at Cicada Lodge, relax poolside before heading off for the Nabilil Dreaming Sunset dinner cruise. Sit back and relax as the tranquil surroundings transport you into a spiritual world of the Jawoyn culture and history. Discover the stories and ways of the Jawoyn people against the magnificent backdrop of the Nitmiluk Gorge as its colours change with the setting sun. Experience the spectacular beauty of the gorge by candle and starlight whilst enjoying delicious Australian cuisine.

Depart Cicada Lodge for Hideaway Litchfield, a perfect base to explore the waterfalls, swimming holes and walking trails at Litchfield National Park. Pack your swimsuit to cool down in swimming holes at Wangi Falls, Buley Rockhole and Florence Falls or lace up your walking shoes to walk to see the parks natural features such as mammoth termite mounds and natural bushland views.

Unwind to the sounds of nature as night falls at Hideaway Litchfield where three secluded cabins with floor-to-ceiling glass frame the bush views in a relaxed setting adjacent to the national park.

Drive back to Darwin (approximately 1.5 hours), stopping for a refreshing swim in the thermal pools at Berry Springs Nature Park. Nearby, Territory Wildlife Park is also worth a visit, where you can see all the animals and plants of the Top End in one easy location.