shanek

After months of debating if we should stay home or travel during the July school holidays, I have decided to take the plunge and book airfares to Darwin.

As this has become a last minute desicion, my normal meticulous planning regime has been thrown into disarray and I could do with some help and suggestions in bedding down our final Itinerary.

A few searches has left me with the realisation that most affordable family accommadation options are fully booked, but fortunately, I have managed to secure a 5 Berth "Britz" Campervan that will cater for all sleeping and travelling needs for our family of 4, including our 2 boys who are 9 and 12 years old.

The plan, so far, is.......

MONDAY JULY 4th.....Arrive at Darwin airport at 1.55am from Adelaide (only budget flight still available as far as I can tell) and kill time until the Britz office opens at 7.30am.

Travel to Hidden Valley Tourist park where I intend to book a powered site of 3 nights.

4/7-6/7...Explore the Darwin surrounds including a day trip to Litchfield National Park.

THURSDAY JULY 7th....Drive to Jabira in Kakadu and stay 4 nights at Kakadu Lodge at a pre-booked powered site.

7/7-10/7....Explore Kakadu including a Yellow River cruise (book?) and heaps of walks in this natural wonderland.

MONDAY JULY 11th...Drive to Katherine, exploring more of Kakadu along the way and arrive early evening at the Nitmiluk Campground for a 2 night stay.

12/7...Explore Katherine area.

WEDNESDAY JULY 13th.... See anything that we may have missed the day before and then return at leisure to Darwin for a further 4 nights at a yet to be determined Campground/Tourist Park.

SUNDAY JULY 17th....Drop off the Campervan late afternoon, have dinner and make our way to the airport for our early AM Monday morning flight back to Adelaide.


I would appreciates any comments or advice regarding....

Time spent in each area.

Our choice of campgrounds/tourist parks.

Any AMAZING things to see or do along each of our routes.

The MUST SEE/DO places and activities in Darwin, Katherine and Kakadu.

Tips on surviving 2 weeks in a Campervan with 2 pre-teen boys.

Thank you all, in advance.

stormbird

I would recommend allowing AT LEAST a one night stay at Litchfield - the boys will have a lot of fun there as there are some fantastic swimming holes. (I'm pretty sure we spent at least 4 nights there)

We did a billabong cruise at Litchfield - it was much cheaper than the cruise in Kakadu and we were very happy with it. However, this was some time ago now so not sure if it is still operating - but there were plenty of beautiful crocs and birdlife to see on that particular cruise.

When we toured the NT the local Rangers used to put on some fantastic evenings at the camp grounds. Sometimes a slide show or a sit around the 'camp fire' and talk about local wild life etc and at the smaller sites they would provide a milo and biscuits. We used to really enjoy these free sessions. If they still do them I would highly recommend you sit in on some of them.

I don't think you will have any trouble at all entertaining your boys in the Territory - our boys were 9 and 11 and we all had an absolute ball everywhere we went in The Territory!

longhorn55

We've been to Darwin and the Top End twice with our kids, the first time being when they were 10 and 13 years old. The things they liked best on that trip were swimming at Litchfield, especially Wangi Falls, swimming at Edith Falls NP, feeding the fish at Aquascene and canoeing on the river through Katherine Gorge. They also enjoyed the Mindil Beach Sunset Market (lots of street performers) and some of the exhibits at the Museum of the Northern Territory (Sweetheart and Cyclone Tracy). My son and husband visited the Aviation Heritage Center in Darwin and enjoyed that very much. I don't think either child much enjoyed the Yellow River boat ride as we saw lots of birds (boring for them) and only one crocodile. On a subsequent trip, we did the Crocodile Night Adventure in Katherine and they both had a great time at that. We also visited the Territory Wildlife Park and Berry Springs Park on that second trip and they were big hits too.
If I were you, I would definitely take a couple days from Kakadu and/or Darwin and add them to the Katherine portion so that you can go to Mataranka Springs, Elsey National Park (where we canoed on the Roper River) and the Cutta Cutta Cave. You'll want to devote at least a full day to hiking, swimming and picnicking at Edith Falls and probably a full day for hiking and canoeing at Katherine Gorge.

shanek

Thanks stormbird and longhorn 55. That is certainly the kind of feedback that I am looking for.

I might alter our initial Darwin stay to 2 nights and then overnight at Litchfield on route to Kakadu. Then, as suggested add a night to Katherine. I am not sure if this extra night should come at the expense of a night at Kakadu or the final leg in Darwin. What do you think?

Croc spotting would be the number one priority for the boys so the Katherine night adventure might be a good tip.

stormbird

I'd forego Darwin for the national parks any day! I love Darwin but Litchfield/Kakadu and Katherine Gorge are great places for kids.

Trust me you will certainly see you fair share of crocs!! Awesome creatures.

We were in Kakadu for Northern Territory Day and we were treated to a free bbq/drinks/ice cream and fireworks - they are very hospitable up there.

We travelled around Australia for 12 months with our boys and there was never any time for boredom when you're touring our beautiful country.