Skip to content
LarkTours

Routes · Oceania

Los Angeles to the Top End: Kakadu and Nitmiluk

Los Angeles → Kakadu → Nitmiluk

Kakadu National Park
"Kakadu (AU), Kakadu National Park, Nadap Lookout -- 2019 -- 4200.jpg" by Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Rock art, wetlands & sandstone gorges Best season (general guide): May–Sep

Australia's Top End is tropical and wild. This route spends three nights in Kakadu and three in Nitmiluk, near Katherine. From Los Angeles you'll connect via Sydney or Brisbane to Darwin, then drive. Kakadu National Park is listed by UNESCO for its natural and cultural values, including Aboriginal rock art. At Ubirr and Burrungui, rock paintings record thousands of years of history.

How to pace it: Spend days one to three in Kakadu: day one, arrive in Darwin, then drive to Kakadu; day two, Ubirr rock art; day three, Yellow Water cruise. Then spend days four to six in Nitmiluk: day four, drive south to Katherine; day five, gorge cruise or canoe; day six, Edith Falls swim.

Yellow Water Billabong cruises pass crocodiles and birds. Nitmiluk National Park, owned by the Jawoyn people, is known for Katherine Gorge, a series of sandstone gorges cut by the Katherine River. Boat cruises and canoes travel up the gorges, and Edith Falls, called Leliyn, has a plunge pool in the north of the park. May to September is the dry season.

Good to know: A park pass is required for Kakadu. Some roads and swimming spots close in the wet season.

Darwin's airport is the gateway, and a car is the easiest way to reach Kakadu, a few hours away. Roads are sealed to the main sites, but some areas require a 4x4. A park pass is needed and can be bought online. Accommodation in Kakadu includes lodges, campgrounds and a hotel in Jabiru. Bring insect repellent, sun protection and plenty of water, as the heat can be intense. Guided walks and cultural talks run by rangers and Aboriginal guides are a highlight. Book the Yellow Water cruise ahead in the dry season. The drive from Kakadu to Katherine is long, so fill the tank and carry water.

Never swim where crocodiles may be; follow the signs at every waterhole. In Kakadu, sunset from Ubirr's rock is one of the park's highlights, with views over the wetlands. Bring a torch for the walk back down. Aboriginal art centres sell works by local artists. Buy from ethical sources to support the communities. Start each day early to beat the heat.

Suggested outline

  1. Los Angeles

    Start

  2. Kakadu

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    Wetlands and ancient rock art.

  3. Nitmiluk

    Overland · 3 nights suggested

    Sandstone gorges on the Katherine River.

    Katherine Gorge Nitmiluk
    "00 4648 Katharine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park.jpg" by W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Kakadu — Arrive in Darwin; drive to Kakadu· Los Angeles → Darwin (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day, then Darwin → Kakadu (overland)
  2. Day 2 · Kakadu — Ubirr rock art
  3. Day 3 · Kakadu — Yellow Water cruise
  4. Day 4 · Nitmiluk — Drive south to Katherine· Kakadu → Nitmiluk (overland)
  5. Day 5 · Nitmiluk — Gorge cruise or canoe
  6. Day 6 · Nitmiluk — Edith Falls swim
  7. Day 7 · Nitmiluk — Travel home from Nitmiluk· Nitmiluk → Darwin (overland), then Darwin → Los Angeles (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

Each button opens a live, dated search. We don't show stored fares here: check today's price on the booking site.

Showing dates about a month ahead — change them when you search.

Kakadu

Nearest airport: Darwin Search fares · Darwin ↗

Partner links may earn LarkTours a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, availability and terms are set by each partner.