Overview

 Highlights


  • Welcome to country ceremony
  • Indigenous cultural immersion program
  • Land management conservation service
  • Private Corroberee wetlands boat exploration with local traditional owners
  • Experience the iconic Edith Falls
  • View indigenous rock art galleries
  • Challenging Sweetwater Pools trek
  • Sporting opportunities

Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage Area covering some 20,000 square kms. Waterfalls tumble from the red cliffs off the Arnhem Land escarpment into shady pools; tranquil wetlands teem with animal and bird life, while 40,000 years of Aboriginal cultural heritage is on display in the numerous hidden rock art galleries. We combine a cultural immersion with a trekking in the National Park, land management work and on country exploration with local TO's and rangers.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Melbourne

Activities:

Grading:Moderate   


After all the planning and preparation the time has come to start your journey. We fly to Darwin on Qantas Airways. We will not arrive until around midnight and will be picked up and head straight to Pudakul country. The drive will take just over 1 hour. On arrival we can head straight to sleep in preparation for our program tomorrow.

Meals:  Nil

This morning we can have a little sleep in after our late arrival last night. After we wake we can have breakfast and meet with Aboriginal elders for a traditional welcome to country and a full trip and safety briefing. After the briefing we will set up our camp and prepare lunch with our hosts. Later this afternoon we will embark on a Aboriginal cultural exploration of the surroundings including a bush tucker walk and connection to country. We learn the meaning behind Pudakul (the name of the Macaranga tree used to make spears) and try our hand at throwing one, along with learning about using local fibres and local ochre colours. Tonight we will have a BBQ with our hosts and have storytelling around the campfire with the local community. Overnight camping Pudakul

Meals:  L,D

This morning we rise early and make our breakfast before we break camp and head towards the Mary River Wetlands. We will join our Aboriginal hosts for a private boat exploration along the crocodile infested waters. One of our guides Graham was a park ranger for 14 years and will discuss elements of living on the land alongside the local animals and how the local peoples are custodians of the land and its inhabitants. We then head into Kakadu National Park, and if it is open to the public, we will complete the Ubirr trek. The walk at Ubirr passes several breathtaking Aboriginal art sites and is world renowned. Ubirr’s rock art is considered among the best in the world, with fine examples of x-ray painting as well as contact art from the time when indigenous people first encountered Europeans. Stories about behaviour and law are told at the Mabuyu, Narmarrkan Sisters and Rainbow Serpent paintings. The Bardeljildiji sandstone walk will take us through towering sandstone pillars and small pockets of monsoonal rain forest. If Ubirr is closed we will visit Nanguluwurr rock art site. Tonight we will camp at Jabiru or Cooinder campsite.

Meals:  B,L,D

After waking to the sound of birds over the Savannah we cook breakfast and head into Kakadu National Park for a days trek. Overnight camping

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we make breakfast and break camp before driving to the Jawoyn owned Nitmiluk National Park, home to Leliyn (Edith Falls) This is a spectacular place with stunning waterfalls and great swimming. On arrival we will set up camp and embark on a short loop walk to the lower pool watering hole. Along the way we will help with land management of the area including clearing the trail of introduced species and any rubbish before reaching the pools for a refreshing swim. Overnight Edith Falls campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will embark on a challenging trek to Sweetwater Pools combined with land management work along the trail. Our walk covers just under 10km and will take around 4 1/2 hours. The walk ends at a magnificent swimming spot where we can cool down. This afternoon we will join our Aboriginal guides in land management service of the area. Overnight Edith Falls Campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we wake and cook breakfast before breaking camp and heading back to Pudakul country. We have the opportunity to have dinner tonight around the campsite with our hosts and share stories about our adventure before heading to the airport late tonight for our flight to Melbourne Overnight camping

Meals:  B,L,D

Fly from Darwin to Melbourne arriving 05:35

Meals:  B


Learning outcomes for students

A World Expeditions Schools adventure is a unique learning experience. Our journeys are designed to encourage thriving and positive youth development along with leaving the communities and environments where we travel in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to enhance the following life skills that will help you grow as an individual:
• the confidence to lead a group and make decisions
• the value of working together as a cohesive team to achieve a common objective
• the ability to face mental and physical challenges
• the ability to adapt to new environments outside of their 'comfort zone'
• to appreciate and care for the natural environment. The environments we trek through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers and also the local peoples
• basic outdoor skills obtained on trek such as personal hygiene, pitching a tent, helping to prepare meals
Importantly our adventures help increase general well-being and build resilience in young men and women to help them deal with adverse situations in life.
CARBON NEUTRAL
World Expeditions Schools absorbs the cost of credits mitigating 100% of the unavoidable carbon emissions. This is our commitment to being part of the solution to climate crises.


Inclusions

  • Flights to/from Darwin
  • All meals as per itinerary
  • Professional wilderness guides
  • Brighton Grammar teachers accompanying the group
  • Cultural immersion program
  • All activities
  • Camping equipment including tents
  • All National Park and camping fees
  • Emergency communications and group first aid kit
  • All transport in private vehicles

  • Items of a personal nature
  • Travel insurance

Grading

Moderate


Why travel with us

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Kakadu Explorer Testimonials


Kakadu Explorer Videos

Kakadu Walking Adventure

Want to find out more?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.


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