Overview

 Highlights


  • A private adventure for the students of Wilderness School
  • Students taking the lead to navigate, setting up and breaking camp and organising meal preparation
  • Wilderness walking in one of the Top End's best-kept secrets
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the local Indigenous culture with visits to ancient rock art sites
  • Explore the exceptional Arnhem Land Escarpment and Stone Country
  • View magnificent waterfalls tumbling from the high sandstone escarpment
  • Spend evenings under the stars at wilderness campsites
  • Take refreshing dips in the many fresh waterholes along the trail

This breathtaking Top End adventure is a wonderful journey for the students at Wilderness School to take the lead, navigate the journey, set up and break down camp and be involved in all food preperation. The Arnhem Land escarpment is an exceptional wilderness area which winds its way along the edge of Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) to Edith Falls (Leliyn) creating a truly extraordinary hiking experience. The Jatbula Trail in the Nitmiluk National Park features magnificent waterfalls tumbling from high quartzite cliffs where shady monsoon forests line the creeks and stunning Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art adorns the caves and overhangs. The tropical equivalent of Tasmania's Overland Track, this full pack carrying bushwalk traverses the heart of this amazing part of Australia. With crystal-clear creeks throughout, there are abundant opportunities for swimming in the warm croc-free waters.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Adelaide

Activities:

Grading:Moderate   


After months of planning and preparation the time has finally arrived to begin your adventure. On arrival in Darwin you will be met and transferred to your hotel for the night. No meals are included today. This afternoon we have a full trip briefing and trip preparation with your guides. The students will need to organise the food for the journey. Our guides will provide maps on the trail and be there to answer any questions the group have. The Wilderness School group will organise dinner in Darwin tonight.

Meals:  D

You will need to have an early breakfast this morning. We pick you up from your Darwin accommodation between 6:00 and 6:30am, before heading south on the Stuart Highway to Katherine. The starting point of our walk is at Katherine Gorge. After lunch, we cross the Katherine River and begin our trek into the stone country. The Northern Rockhole offers a fantastic swimming spot. We then trek to our evening campsite beside the clear, flowing stream of Biddlecombe Cascades. Our guides are their to help and assist as required. The students will be responsible for the navigating on the trail, setting up camp and food preparation. Walking distance: 8km | Driving time: approx 4 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s trek takes us further into the rugged stone country. We are now deep in the wilderness of the Arnhemland Escarpment and Stone Country which extends almost 1000 kilometres through the heart of the Top End. The trail today includes some interesting Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art sites hidden in the many rocky outcrops and overhangs. The cascades of Crystal Falls are an inviting backdrop to our campsite. Walking distance: 10.5km

Meals:  B,L,D

A good morning trek brings us to the Amphitheatre, an aptly named natural pocket in the escarpment. The shade of the cliffs encourages a rich monsoonal rain forest and the rock shelters exhibit the art of the Jawoyn Traditional Owners. Trekking along the edge of the escarpment with its stunning views, we reach our camp and the spectacular 17 Mile Falls. The rock pools above the falls offer great swimming in the spring fed clear streams. Walking distance: 10kms

Meals:  B,L,D

A bigger day of trekking takes us to the Edith River Crossing as it flows across the stone country. The permanent waterholes here attract abundant birdlife and are a wonderful place to enjoy another delicious picnic lunch. We will follow the course of the river with its gentle gradients to our evening campsite at Sandy Camp Pool. Walking distance: 16.5km

Meals:  B,L,D

After a big day on the trail yesterday, we enjoy a more leisurely walk today – with plenty of time to enjoy our last full day out in this magnificent country. We continue along the Edith River with its Paperbark Forests, cascades and water holes arriving at Sweetwater Pool by early afternoon. We have the rest of the day to relax at this beautiful campsite, explore and swim. Our guides will deliver a great meal this evening on the banks of the waterhole. Walking distance: 11km

Meals:  B,L,D

Our final day on the Jatbula! We pack up camp and follow the trail to Leliyn (Edith Falls). There is the opportunity to swim in some of the best holes of the walk before we reach the trail's end. After enjoying a leisurely lunch at Edith Falls, we board the awaiting bus and transfer back to Darwin. We aim to drop you back at your accommodation between 4-5pm. This evening the group can organise their own celebratory dinner. Walking distance: 4.5km | Driving time: approx 4hrs

Meals:  B,L,D

Wilderness School and students will organise their own breakfast this morning. Today we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Adelaide

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 Adelaide to Darwin
  • 2 nights accommodation in Darwin
  • All meals
  • Professional wilderness guides (2 guides)
  • All National Park and camping fees
  • All group camping equipment including mosquito net, sleeping mats, ground sheet (tarpaulin), stoves, cooking and eating utensils
  • Emergency communications and group first aid kit
  • Transport from Darwin

  • Items of a personal nature, such as laundry and postage
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Travel insurance
  • Face masks and hand sanitiser

Accommodation


Grading

Moderate

This adventure involves trekking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace in remote locations. You will need a good level of fitness and must be in good health. You must be capable of walking over rough ground while carring a full pack (approx 15-17kg). You need to be prepared for walking in hot daytime temperatures (in winter temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius). Each day will also present to you a new set of challenges, from river crossings to hill climbs, there will be flat open country on the top of the escarpment and boggy wet country along the creeks that we follow. Previous multi day walking experience is preferred. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to four times a week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) interspersed with relatively demanding bushwalks carrying a full pack weight (up to 17kg). You should walk regularly with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. The best preparation for your trek is multi day bushwalking involving relatively steep ascents and descents and in variable weather conditions.


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.

Jatbula Trail Testimonials


Jatbula Trail Videos

Discover the Jatbula Trail, one of the Top End's best kept secrets

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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