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Tours from Darwin to the Top End
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For the visitor, Darwin itself isn't really a destination of enduring interest compared to the surrounding countryside.
Kakadu
is the obvious draw, and for many is the primary reason for visiting the Top End, but
Litchfield Park
is nearer, croc-free and a fun day out. While Litchfield remains a popular day-trip, many Kakadu tour operators are now offering two- and three-day tours, providing a less hurried way of enjoying the park. Below are some recommended
tour operators
in the Top End not mentioned elsewhere in the text. Prices fluctuate but generally expect to pay $110 a day. Most of these tours include the $15 Kakadu park entry fee.
Darwin's harbour may not be the world's most picturesque inlet but there are a number of ways of making it an enjoyable experience. At Stokes Hill Wharf a sea plane and helicopter stand by, waiting to fly you over the city while down at the Fishing Boat Harbour off Frances Bay Road a hovercraft offers the same thing at a lower altitude. But the best options are either the yacht , catamaran or pearl lugger based at Cullen Bay Marina. A sunset cruise brings you back in time to enjoy an evening meal by the waterfront and in the meantime you'll get an amusing commentary as well as drinks and snacks for your two-hour trip. Blue Banana (tel 08/8945 6800). Hop-on, hop-off, stay-as-long-as-you-like bus, pitched at backpackers, doing a circuit between Darwin, Katherine and Kakadu. Travel pass valid for three months. Coo-ee Tours (tel 08/8981 6116). Enjoyable twelve-hour waterfall hop through Litchfield and Reynolds River with a dinkum Aussie family. Darwin Day Tours (tel 08/8947 4060). Day- and half-day tours (essentially a bus service plus a cuppa) to the croc farm and Territory Wildife Park. Kakadu Adventure Safaris (tel 08/8947 2677). Two or three full days in a packed 4WD for the fun-hearted and budget-minded; a longer tour includes Twin Falls. Kakadu Dreams (tel 08/8981 3266). Low-cost, fun, activity tours in another packed 4WD. Keetleys (tel 08/8947 2472). Established tour operator for those who prefer not to rough it too much. One-day Litchfield and Katherine tours or two-day Kakadu tours for $300. Travel North (tel 08/8972 3989) Variety of well-organized trips south to Katherine and into Kakadu. Wild Thing (tel 0409 956 892). All-out one- and two-day action and adventure in Litchfield: waterfalls, etc. Wilderness 4WD Adventures (tel 08/8941 2161). Competitively priced two- to five-day tours through Kakadu and Litchfield. Plenty of fun and action with the longer tours always a better deal in the long run.
Willis Walkabouts
(tel 08/8985 2134). Bushwalking in the Top End, Kimberley and the Centre for committed walkers. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Australia,
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