5 Day Kakadu Koolpin Gorge Safari

The 5 Day Kakadu Koolpin Gorge Safari explores Kakadu National Park at it’s best.  The tour visits the special permit area of Koolpin Gorge which only allows a small amount of visitors at one given time.  The tour also visits Jim Jim Falls, Barramundi Gorge (Maguk) or Gunlom Falls and Ubirr Rock.  This is a great tour for the dedicated adventurer.  This is a small group tour with a maximum of 12 guests camping and travelling in a 4 Wheel Drive vehicle.

2025 DEPARTS FRIDAYS ONLY 18 JULY TO 29 AUGUST 2025

One of the only tours that visits Koolpin Gorge
$1695 per adult
$1525 per child – 2 to 16 yrs inclusive
Departs Darwin 8am Day 1
Returns Darwin 5pm approx. Day 5
Kakadu Park Pass included

This tour is not for everyone – it’s best suited for adventurers that are fit, active and up for a challenge.
Sleeping bag required or you can bring your own or book with us & pay $20 cash on board, pillows provided.

Tour Highlights

• Cruise the spectacular Yellow Water Billabong for crocodile & wildlife spotting
• 4wd to Jim Jim Falls
• Nourlangie Rock, hike & rock art & views over the Arnhem Land Escarpment
• Maguk or Gunlom Falls hike & swim
• Bowali Information Centre within Kakadu National Park
• Koolpin Gorge

5 Day Kakadu Itinerary

Day 1 – Darwin to Kakadu National Park

Pick up at 8am 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.

Fitness: 3 kms / Meals: Lunch & dinner

Day 2 – Kakadu National Park

We then return to our safari camp at Mardukal Billabong and relax around the campfire after some dinner. 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. Visit to the Warradjan cultural centre is a great opportunity to gain some insight into the traditional owners of Kakadu through interactive displays and demonstrations.

This evening we will enjoy 2hr 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.

Fitness: 5 kms / Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 3 – Kakadu National Park

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.  Camping may be at Jabiru in safari tents or at Gunlom in swags under the stairs.  A swag is a traditional Australian canvas roll-up bed that includes a mattress inside. Essentially, it’s a large sleeping bag with an integrated mattress, designed for outdoor sleeping.

Fitness: 5 kms / Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Day 4 – Koolpin Gorge – Kakadu 

Today, the highlight of the 5 Day Kakadu Koolpin Gorge Safari  we spend the whole 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 is able to offer regular tours to this area and is grateful to the traditional owners for allowing us to have this opportunity.  The name Jarrangbarnmi comes from the Jawoyn words jarrang meaning flood, or big water flow, and barn meaning rift or gap

Jarrangbarnmi was created by the Jawoyn creation ancestors. It is part of Buladjang country. Bula created this landscape and then went to live under the ground. Bolung (Rainbow Serpent) lives in plunge pools in this country. Both powerful creation ancestors can cause earthquakes, storms, floods and disease if disturbed.

The walk up the gorge is a real wilderness walk and requires a good level of fitness with great rewards on arrival to some of the National Parks most spectacular rock pools, waterfalls and rock landscape.  This remote location is restricted to only 40 people per day and is home to several endemic species of fauna and fauna.

Camping may be at Jabiru in safari tents or at Gunlom in swags under the stairs.

Fitness: 5-8 kms / Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

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 great 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.

Fitness: 2 kms / Meals: Breakfast & lunch.

What to bring

• Good walking shoes or boots
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• A wide brimmed sun hat
• Long sleeve light shirt for sun protection
• 1 litre water bottle for drinking water
• Swimmers/ bathers/ togs
• Light comfortable clothing
• A jacket (mainly for June, July and August nights)
• Medication and other personal requirements
• Towel
• Torch/flashlight
• A sense of humour!
• Sleeping bag (can be hired for $20, please advise when booking)
• Note: Luggage is strictly restricted to a soft bag of 10kg per person

The 5 Day Kakadu Koolpin Gorge Safari itinerary is subject to change without notice due to seasonal and extreme weather conditions, national park road or attraction closures and cultural commitments from Traditional owners. If Jim Jim or Twin Falls are closed due to water levels or Park maintenance the tour will visit alternative areas.  Itinerary may be done in reverse at Guides discretion.

Please note that camping locations can change due to access, and it can be 2 nights at our safari camp at Mardukal Billabong in safari tents and either 2 nights at Jabiru in safari tents or 2 nights in swags at Gunlom camping under the stairs.