Sacred Owl Tours Tour 3C-Kakadu National Park - Yellow Water River Cruise -Small Group Tour - Full Day Tour

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A small group day trip from Darwin to Kakadu National Park, with ancient rock art, the Warradjan Cultural Centre, a 2 hour Yellow Water sunset cruise and dinner at Cooinda Lodge.

Days

Full day, about 12.5 hours

Group size

Small group, max 7

Start / finish

Darwin / Darwin
Darwin, around 11pm

Return

Darwin, around 11pm

Transport

Air-conditioned vehicle with a guide, door-to-door from Darwin

Meals

Dinner at Cooinda Lodge

Route

Map of Sacred Owl Tours Tour 3C-Kakadu National Park - Yellow Water River Cruise -Small Group Tour - Full Day Tour

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Included experiences

Mamukala Wetlands — bird hide
Warradjan Cultural Centre — Bininj/Mungguy culture
Nourlangie — guided Aboriginal rock art walk
Yellow Water Billabong — 2 hour sunset cruise
Cooinda Lodge — dinner

Sacred Owl Tours Tour 3C-Kakadu National Park - Yellow Water River Cruise -Small Group Tour - Full Day Tour

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Itinerary

Map

LATE MORNING: DARWIN TO KAKADU

Your guide collects you from your Darwin accommodation at 10:30am, so there's no early alarm on this one. It's about three hours east along the Arnhem Highway, and the country changes as you go, from tropical savannah and woodland to wide green floodplains. Kakadu National Park covers almost 20,000 square kilometres, the largest national park in Australia, and is World Heritage-listed for both its nature and its living Aboriginal culture. Your guide fills in the stories on the way, and there's wifi in the van if you need it.

EARLY AFTERNOON: MAMUKALA WETLANDS

The first stop is Mamukala, a broad wetland on the South Alligator River floodplain. With a cool drink in hand you settle into the bird hide and watch the water. Late in the dry season thousands of magpie geese gather here to feed, and you might spot a jabiru, Australia's only stork, wading on its long red legs. Look closer and there are fish and turtles moving under the lilies. It's a peaceful start, and a chance to stretch your legs after the drive.

AFTERNOON: NOURLANGIE ROCK ART AND THE CULTURAL CENTRE

Next comes Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), a sandstone outlier of the Arnhem Land escarpment. A short guided walk takes you to the Anbangbang rock shelter, used by people for at least 20,000 years, and to the gallery where Namarrgon, the Lightning Man, is painted with stone axes on his head and knees. The ground is uneven in places. Then at the Warradjan Cultural Centre, built in the shape of a pig-nosed turtle when seen from above, the Bininj and Mungguy people tell their own story: bush foods, kinship, the six seasons and caring for Country.

LATE AFTERNOON: YELLOW WATER SUNSET CRUISE

The highlight is a two-hour cruise on Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba), a billabong at the end of Jim Jim Creek, timed for the golden end of the day. As the light softens, the paperbarks and pandanus turn gold on the water. Saltwater crocodiles glide past or lie along the banks, egrets and whistling ducks come in to roost, and kingfishers flash across the channel. Your guide talks about how these waterways have fed the local people for thousands of years. Then the sun drops behind the floodplain.

EVENING: DINNER AT COOINDA AND THE DRIVE HOME

Dinner is a sit-down restaurant meal at Cooinda Lodge, a short walk from the billabong, with a seasonal menu of regional produce and the sounds of the bush around you after dark. Then it's the three-hour drive back to Darwin under the stars, with a travel pillow if you brought one, and you're back at your accommodation at about 11pm.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Door-to-door pick-up from your Darwin accommodation.
Departure time: 10:30am from Darwin.
Finishes: Back in Darwin around 11pm.
Fitness: Low; optional extra walks need a medium level of fitness. The Nourlangie rock art walk has some uneven surfaces — let the operator know in advance about mobility concerns.
Cancellation: Full refund with at least 72 hours' notice; no refund within 72 hours. If the operator cancels, you're offered a full refund or another day.

What to bring

1 to 1.5L refillable water bottle
Camera, hat and sunglasses
Insect repellent and sunscreen
Travel pillow for the drive
Your own medication
A jumper in the cooler months (May to August)

What is included

Return door-to-door transfers from Darwin
Experienced tour guide
Air-conditioned vehicle with Starlink wifi
2 hour Yellow Water sunset river cruise
Guided walk at the Nourlangie Aboriginal rock art site
Mamukala Wetlands bird hide
Warradjan Cultural Centre visit
Restaurant dinner at Cooinda Lodge
Kakadu National Park pass, entry fees and permits

Not included

Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Alcoholic drinks
Personal items and souvenirs

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 2 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

“Exceptional”

We booked the Kakadu sunset tour. Booking was easy and communication excellent. Rasa is a thoughtful, knowledgeable guide with a real drive to understand the cultural and spiritual country of Kakadu's people, and she's fun and laughs a lot. Her planning is meticulous for such a long tour.

cangau Verified· Travelled 1st June 2026

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(5/5)

“A Delightful Kakadu Tour Experience”

Rasa is a passionate guide, and we chose this tour for the sunset river cruise. Everything was well prepared and the route well planned, giving us a VIP way to see the real Kakadu. My partner and I had a brilliant day.

365patrician Verified· Travelled 1st October 2025

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