Walk Kakadu Challenge

An exploration of Kakadu National Park, exploring by foot some of the Top End?s secret spots, and discovering why this special place qualifies for World Heritage listing.

Challenge Highlights

  • Raise Vital funds for your charity
  • World Heritage Kakadu National Park
  • Spectacular wildlife cruise
  • Wilderness trekking
  • Gorges and waterfalls

Overview

As far as World Heritage Areas go, Kakadu National Park is somewhat special in that it qualifies for World Heritage listing on the basis of both natural and cultural values. Exploring this part of Australia on foot, in small groups with an expert guide ensures a unique experience of the Top End. Designed for active travellers, this exclusive itinerary treks beyond the regular tourist sites, deep in to the stunning World Heritage wilderness area. Each walk offers a new insight of the country and culture. With lots of spring fed, crystal clear waterfalls and gorges, there are many opportunities to swim in the crocodile free waterholes above the escarpment.

In 2014 Huma Charity Challenge/World Expeditions has introduced new exclusive semi-permanent safari camps at the central locations of Djarradjin Billabong and Gunlom. These comfortable and convenient campsites are set-up ready for trekkers. Roomy safari style tents are equipped with stretcher beds and swag mattresses. New 4x4 bus transport offers comfortable coach seating and air conditioned comfort.

This walking based tour is designed to offer a similar style of experience to the Classic Larapinta Trail, allowing trekkers to experience a great diversity of trails carrying a just a day-pack while returning to the comfort of the semi-permanent safari camps each evening

Fundraising Portal

Upon registration you will also receive a Huma Charity Challenge comprehensive confirmation kit that includes a Fundraiser’s Guidebook; a great resource for fundraising ideas and support. Your charity will help you set up fundraising page where sponsors can donate. You can do it!

Challenge Grade

This trip is for almost anyone with a reasonable level of fitness and competent swimming ability. This adventure is designed for the enthusiastic and adventurous in search of something different. This trip has been graded at an introductory to moderate level. However, some days will be quite active involving steep walks for most of the day. These adventures are best prepared for with some regular moderate exercise. As always with adventure travel, you should enjoy a healthy lifestyle before undertaking this trip. Please bear in mind that because you will be traveling into a remote wilderness, creature comforts are limited. Your level of fitness can also help you acclimatise to the warm temperatures and humidity, so we suggest a bit of swimming, walking, jogging or cycling to trim yourself up ready for the Territory!

Itinerary

As we have fundraisers arriving from different countries on different flights we are not including airport transfer. Standard twin rooms have been booked at the Darwin Central Hotel, own arrangements from airport to hotel. The rest of the day is a t leisure to rest after the flight.

Meals:  Nil

This morning we start our challenge with a transfer from Darwin Central Hotel Accommodation between 7:00 and 7.15am, and heading to meet with Wulna Aboriginal elders for a traditional welcome to country; followed by morning tea, damper and a chance to discuss culture, tradition or walk by the billabong. We then get off the sealed roads and travel east by 4WD along the old Jim Jim Road, passing some of the great wetlands such as Red Lily Billabong. In the afternoon, after setting up at our permanent camp at Djarradjin Billabong in the heart of Kakadu. This evening we will experience a cruise on the nearby Yellow Water billabong, home to an astounding variety of wildlife. Here you may encounter brumbies, wallabies and goannas drinking from the waterside, salt water crocodile and thousands of birds including Magpie Geese, Brolgas, Cormorants, Pelicans and Jabiru, Australia’s largest flying bird. The flat-bottomed boat is guided by an expert wildlife guide.

Meals:  B,L,D

NB: Jim Jim and Twin Falls usually available after mid-July. Prior to this we may visit alternative waterfalls such as Gubara. Wake up to the dawn chorus of the multitudebirds of the Savannah and wetlands. After a leisurely breakfast, we drive to Jim Jim and Twin Falls, Kakadu’s most famous waterfalls. Our day is focussed on the stunning walking, when possible we go exploring for rock art along the creek above Jim Jim Falls. Our visits to Jim Jim and Twin falls aim for an active experience, walking beyond the reach regular tourist groups. Keep in mind the thundering torrent usually depicted in the postcards is a phenomenon that only occurs during the wet season and this flow declines gradually through the dry season until it is a gentle trickle. We return to our semi-permanent camp site near Djarradjin Billabong.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we will experience the extraordinary sunrise over the wetlands with the option to join the famous Yellow water cruise or just relax around camp. After another relaxed breakafast we drive to Nourlangie massif and begin our stunning walk traversing the crest of this quartzite plateau. The walk reveals the extraordinary diversity of habitats of the escarpment, from cool Monsoon Vine Forest to the rugged stone country on top. This is an active day so be prepared for walking and adventure. We return to our group camp-site at Dajarradjin Billabong

Meals:  B,L,D

Heading south we will explore some of the other stunning waterfalls and gorges of Kakadu. Barramundi Falls is reached via stunning walk through the monsoon forest, opening out to deep plunge pool lined with blonde quartzite cliffs. In the far south of the park we reach our semi permanent campsite near Gunlom. This iconic waterfall and plunge pool is ringed by sandy beaches and pandanus palms, the perfect spot to relax.The sunset views from the swimming pool on top of the Gunlom Waterfall are some of the most published images of the NT. Our accommodation is another semi-permanent safari camp adjacent to the main campground. We are just a short stroll from the beach and plungepool.

Meals:  B,L,D

Over the day we will undertake full-day expedition by 4WD and on foot, deep in to Southern Kakadu, Buladjang Country. We aim to visit Koolpin Gorge or Motorcar Creek Falls areas and undertake a decent walk (up to 14 km), taking most of the day. The highlight is rock scrambling through spectacular gorges, your efforts are well rewarded by crystal clear, unspoilt rock pools of remarkable beauty and some outstanding views of the surrounding hills and woodland. The pace of the walk and the distance covered is up to the mood of the group on the day. On the way there are often limpid rock pools lined with ferns and Livistonia palms. Within the walls of the gorge birds and animals find water and shelter from the heat of the plains. It is a wonderful opportunity to explore this magical environment and, once again the day can be as strenuous as the group prefers. This is an area that only very few people are privileged to experience, and for many, this day is one of the highlights of the trip. Return to our semi permanent camp at Gunlom for last night celebrations on completion of challenge and raising funds for your charity.

Meals:  B,L,D

After our final night in the semi-permanent camp at Gunlom, we pack up and make our way north to Litchfield National Park. On our way we may enjoy a relaxing swim and lunch at at one of the many waterfalls and gorges, before continuing our way north. Expect to arrive back into Darwin around 5:00pm. If you need additional accommodation in Darwin please contact your Huma Charity Challenge consultant.

Meals:  B,L

What's Included

  • Farewell Celebration Dinner
  • 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
  • professional wilderness guide
  • wildlife cruise
  • safari camps including tents, stretcher beds and swags for sleeping, dining and catering equipment
  • all National Park and camping fees
  • emergency communications and group first aid kit
  • 4WD transport from Darwin
  • 1 nights Darwin Central Hotel Accommodation twin share

What's Not Included

  • Airfares
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Backpacks
  • Sleeping Bag hire
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance
  • Airport transfers

What You Carry

  • Trek Kakadu is fully supported. You will need to carry just a day-pack with your water bottles, lunch, camera and other personal items. You should plan on carrying at least 3 litres of water each and every day.

Case Study

As a participant in the Open Challenge, you will be part of a larger team working to make a huge difference for an array of different charities. You can choose !

Health

Cancer research

The environment

Animal welfare

Education

Social justice

Poverty reduction

The arts

The choice is yours!

Australia Challenge Reviews

Fast Facts

Trip Dates: DepartReturn
Duration:7 Days
Activities:Trekking
Charity cghallenge
Grade:Introductory to Moderate  Click for more information
Trip Code:SOG5205