6 day Jatbula trail tour: Katherine Gorge to Edith Falls

Price: $1795 pp ex Darwin
Bookings: For a booking form or intinerary, simply email us.

The arnhem land escarpment country is a vast wilderness area in the top end of australia. The jatbula trail takes us deep into this wild region.

The trail follows an ancient Jawoyn song line through the Nitmiluk National Park. The Jatbula takes us up onto the Arnhem Land Escarpment, through shady monsoon forests, past spectacular waterfalls and their crystal clear swimming pools and introduces us to stunning Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art sites. We camp in some of the most amazing wilderness country in Australia.

The Jatbula Trail is 58km from start to finish and is a full pack bushwalking adventure taking us far away from city life and immersing us into this ancient wonderland. The Jatbula is an exclusive destination opening only during the dry season from June to September, with a limit of 10 people per day permitted. We run our trips in June, July, and early August, the coolest and driest months - enjoying perfect blue sky days, cool nights and plenty of water for our afternoon swims.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners
• Professional wilderness guides (2 guides)
• All National Park and camping fees
• All group camping equipment including mosquito net, sleeping mats and ground sheets
• Emergency satellite communication/navigation equipment
• Wilderness First Aid equipment and supplies
• Transport from Darwin and return
• Gear hire: Backpack $50 (sleeping bags provided on request - free of charge)

DAY 1: DRIVE TO KATHERINE GORGE, WALK TO BIDDLECOMBE CASCADES

We pick you up from your Darwin accommodation between 6:00 and 6:30am. Heading South to Katherine on the Stuart Highway, we stop for coffee and a stretch at a couple of iconic top end towns along the way. We reach Katherine Gorge the starting point of our walk by late morning, just in time for a nice fresh healthy lunch. After lunch we cross the Katherine River where our trek into this wild ancient country begins. It's going to be warm but about an hour into our walk we find the first of our many awesome swimming spots - the Northern Rockhole. Trekking to our evening campsite at Biddlecombe Cascades we cool off, breathe deep and relax amongst the many natural spa and plunge pools. All this while your professional wilderness guides prepare a nutritious and tasty dinner.

DAY 2: WALK FROM BIDDLECOMBE CASCADES TO CRYSTAL FALLS

Today we make an early start and take advantage of the cool morning. Our walk takes us through some magnificent pandanus palm forest with its abundant bird life, and colourful fruit. Walking through vast open savannah country we explore the ancient stone country where Jawoyn Aboriginal art sites are hidden in many of the spectacular rocky outcrops and overhangs. Crystal Falls is our campsite tonight, a truly stunning location blessed with deep crystal clear pools, surrounded by lush monsoon forest. Amazing, beautiful, stunning, incredible, these words don't even go close to describing the place we camp tonight - another delicious meal, a moonlight swim, and a deep sleep under the stars. This is Jatbula living at its best.

DAY 3: WALK FROM CRYSTAL FALLS TO AMPHITHEATRE THEN ON TO 17 MILE FALLS

Walking out of camp we climb to an elevated position above Crystal Falls, which gives us a birds eye view of this spectacular waterfall cascading over the escarpment. Continuing our walk today we discover an incredible natural amphitheatre tucked away in a monsoonal rain forest setting. Descending into this special place we explore the rocky overhangs and nooks to find incredible Jawoyn rock art. The Amphitheatre as it is called, provides some of the most magnificent recorded indigenous art in this region. After lunch our walk takes us along the edge of the escarpment, culminating in the breathtaking vistas of our camp tonight - 17 Mile Falls.

DAY 4: WALK FROM 17 MILE FALLS TO SANDY CAMP POOL

Our biggest day on the trail takes us into the Edith River catchment. Walking through Pandanus groves and lush grasses we follow the course of the river to Channels waterhole. A shady, sandy, cool oasis awaits, providing us with a perfect lunch stop and of course a midday swim in the Edith River. Continuing our walk today through lush green wetlands we have time to watch the prolific birdlife and maybe even spot a buffalo. Camp tonight is Sandy Camp Pool a picturesque billabong of Olympic proportions, it overflows with water lilies and is surrounded by towering paperbarks. As the name suggests we enjoy a wonderful sandy camp giving us another comfortable sleep under the stars, beside the billabong.

DAY 5: WALK FROM SANDY CAMP TO SWEETWATER POOL

A morning swim and relaxed breakfast sees us in great shape to begin our walk to Sweetwater Pool. Walking alongside the Edith River with its' many billabongs and waterholes, today is a great opportunity to see some of the top ends shyest wildlife - perhaps a turtle, some brolgas or maybe even a water monitor. A delicious lunch at camp is followed by a leisurely afternoon, swimming and exploring these gorgeous pools. Our last dinner together is a special event and a chance for us to share memories and some of the highlights experienced on our adventure.

DAY 6: WALK FROM SWEETWATER POOL TO LEILYN(EDITH FALLS), DRIVE TO DARWIN

A morning walk along the Edith River and its numerous waterfalls brings us to the end of this incredible journey at Leilyn (Edith Falls) with a last swim of the tour in one of the top ends favourite swimming holes. Driving back to Darwin we stop at the historic Adelaide River Inn for a superb lunch and experience a unique slice of top end food and hospitality. We aim to arrive back in Darwin by 5pm.