7 Days / 6 Nights
Top End & Kakadu National Park
A Northern Territory birding and photography tour through Darwin, Kakadu National Park and the Top End’s floodplains, wetlands, savannah and sandstone country.
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Northern Territory birding
Wetlands, savannah, sandstone country and Kakadu specialties.
This tour explores the Top End of the Northern Territory, including Darwin birding sites, Kakadu National Park and surrounding habitats.
The region offers a rich mix of wetland, monsoon forest, savannah woodland, mangrove and sandstone country, with opportunities for species such as Gouldian Finch, Hooded Parrot, Rainbow Pitta, Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon and many other northern birds.
- Darwin birding sites, wetlands and mangroves
- Kakadu National Park floodplains and sandstone country
- Gouldian Finch, Hooded Parrot and Rainbow Pitta opportunities
- Yellow Water cruise and Top End wildlife
Tour itinerary
Top End & Kakadu National Park itinerary
A 7 day / 6 night Northern Territory birding and photography tour through Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Pine Creek, Katherine and the Victoria River region.
Darwin, NT
Pick up from your Darwin accommodation around 7am before beginning the first day of Top End birding.
Darwin to Kakadu
Morning birding at one of Darwin’s nature reserves, followed by lunch in Darwin City and the drive east toward Kakadu. Stops may include Mamakala Wetlands and the South Alligator floodplains before sunset birding around Nawurlandja.
Bardedjilidji, Ubirr and Nourlangie
Early walk at Bardedjilidji, then Ubirr for sandstone and floodplain birding. If tides allow, visit Cahill Crossing before heading to Nourlangie to look for any missed endemics and view Aboriginal rock art.
Yellow Water and Pine Creek
Early Yellow Water Billabong cruise for Great-billed Heron, Little and Azure Kingfishers and Black Bittern. After lunch, travel south to Pine Creek, with chances for Red Goshawk, Hooded Parrot and Partridge Pigeon.
Gouldian Finch and Victoria River
Early start at a waterhole for Gouldian Finch, Hooded Parrot, Long-tailed Finch, Masked Finch, Double-barred Finch, Banded Honeyeater and other drinking birds. Continue through Katherine to the Victoria River region.
Victoria River and Timber Creek
Morning birding around Victoria River for Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, raptors and finches, then travel west to Timber Creek. The afternoon is flexible depending on target birds, water levels and conditions.
Timber Creek to Katherine
Morning options include another finch drinking hole or relaxed birding around Timber Creek for Buff-sided Robin, Yellow-rumped Mannikin, Great Bowerbird and Red-backed Kingfisher. Return east to Katherine for the night.
Katherine to Darwin
Final morning around Katherine, following up any missing target species. After lunch, drive 3 to 4 hours back to Darwin, aiming to return at a reasonable hour.
Darwin, NT
The tour finishes back in Darwin after the final day’s birding and return drive from Katherine.
Jabiru, Pine Creek, Victoria River, Timber Creek and Katherine
Accommodation includes The Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru, Lazy Lizard in Pine Creek, Victoria River Roadhouse, Timber Creek Hotel and Ibis Styles Katherine.
Included during the tour
Meals included: Day 1 lunch and dinner, Days 2-6 breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Day 7 breakfast and lunch.
$13,480 AUD
All inclusive for two people in twin or double accommodation. Single supplement is $800 AUD. Larger groups can contact Laurie for pricing and numbers.
Target birds
Birds to look for on this tour
Rainbow Pitta, Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon, Sandstone Shrike-thrush, White-lined Honeyeater, Banded Fruit-dove, Partridge Pigeon, Hooded Parrot, Gouldian Finch, Northern Rosella, Varied Lorikeet, Red-winged Parrot, Great-billed Heron, Little Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Black Bittern, Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, Buff-sided Robin, Yellow-rumped Mannikin, Banded Honeyeater, Silver-backed Butcherbird, Red-backed Kingfisher, finches, raptors and other Top End specialties.
The exact bird list depends on season, tides, weather, water levels and current bird activity.
