I've spent many hours researching, going through previous Fodors posts - thank you Judile, Suelynn, LynAK and RalphR - trying to work out how we can see absolutely everything there is to see in this trip.
We are not swimmers, although I am looking forward to a quick dip in some of the places, preferring to find out the history of the place, and discover the fauna and flora. We are a couple in our 60s, working towards being fitter next year! Below is what I have mapped out. I now have ideas for accommodation, and our travel agent is looking for others too. The main thing is to check I have not planned too much for each day.

Day 1: Darwin - Museum & Art Gallery; Burnett House / Myilly Point Heritage Precinct; Mindil Markets

Day 2: Military / WW11 Day (DH's interest)

Day 3: Heritage Walk; Fanny Bay; George Brown Botanic Gardens; Harbour Cruise

Day 4: Humpty Doo, Fogg Dam, Windows on the Wetlands; back to Stuart Highway and Strauss Airstrip,; Adelaide River War Cemetery and Railway Heritage Precinct; Robin Falls

Day 5: Litchfield Park

Day 6: early start up Stuart Highway to Kakadu turnoff, Leaning Tree Lagoon, Bird Billabong, Mamukala Wetlands, Bowali Visitor Centre, Kakadu Wildlife Cruise (evening)

Day 7: Ranger Mine Tour (DH, while I relax over a coffee or 3); Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre; Nourlangie art, Nanguluwur Gallery; Anbangbang Billabong, Gallery and walk; Gunwarddehwarde Lookout; Nawurlandja Lookout; Ubirr drawings / sunset

Day 8: Yellow River Sunrise Cruise; Gunlom Falls - is there anything else for this day? Can't visit JimJim and Twin Falls sadly. Staying at Goymarr that night.

Day 9: early start to Pine Creek for a good recce and breakfast at Maysee's; to Leliyn Falls, and hopefully upper Falls Pool then to Katherine

Day 10: Katherine Gorge 4 hr cruise, Nitmulik Visitors Centre, Cycad Gardens

Day 11: Cutta Cutta Caves: Daly Waters - National Trust Aviation Hangar, overnight here

Day 12: Larrimah - Inn, Gorrie Airfield, Museum, to Mataranka

Day 13: explore Mataranka then back to Katherine

Day 14: Railway Station Museum, a final wander around the town. At station by 3:45 to board The Ghan for Alice Springs - and a catchup on all the trips we missed this July - hopefully!

If I have missed anything of prime importance please let me know.

Thank you all.
Dot

Dot - wow, quite a trip! Can't comment on all the itinerary as we didn't get any further south than Katherine. Your days look very full, even Day 8 with sunrise cruise and Gunlom Falls. Just be sure you don't miss sunset at Ubirr on Day 7. One of the highlights of our trip.

Are you staying overnight near Litchfield, say at Rum Jungle? If not, that would be my suggestion. If you can, visit the magnetic termite mounds very early or very late in the day for better light and shadows.

Hi, RalphR. Thanks for your comments. Hoping days are not too full. If needs be we will just have to cut out the odd activity that is not as important as the others. Is Gunlom Falls a full day trip? I can't find a lot out about it except that it seems to be an absolute must to go there.

Yes, we are having spending the nights of Day 4 / Day 5 in Batchelor, already booked.

Fog Dam is best visited at dawn with breakfast in hand and binoculars because its where thousands of birds nest overnight and the sight to see is them grouping in the morning and flying off to wherever they go for the day. I have done that several times. I presume you have a car and can do the trip yourselves?

Thanks for that, ivenotbeeneverywhere. We are hiring a car, so hopefully we will be able to be there if not at dawn then very shortly after. We are early risers, especially when we are on holiday and have places to discover.

Dotty, ask the locals the best time to go - might be nice at dusk as well with them coming back but I have not been there at that time.

High Dotty, you will love the area I am sure, we went with little expectation but came back thoroughly in love with Darwin and the surrounding areas. Reading your question has prompted me to post my Darwin and Top End trip report from this August.

Some overall comments:

- it is easy to plan to do too much in the Top End, but the heat and humidity can be exhausting and draining (in the late dry season);
- take time to actually enjoy where you are, swimming in the pools, walking the paths and trails, or attending the guided talks and walks;
- take plenty of mozzie spray, and use liberally;
- drink loads of water; and finally
- do less and see more!!

thanks, kasyorks, Have just read your report and posted a couple of questions on there for you.

Hi Dotty, I will reply to your questions on your thread so that you can keep your replies together.

Litchfield: We did not visit the Blyth Homestead ruins, Bamboo Creek Tin min or the Lost City as you need a 4 wheel drive to access all but the tin mine and we only hired a 2 wheel drive saloon car. Also, timewise, after stopping at the termite mounds, swimming for an hour or so at Buley and Wangi (with a leisurely lunch built in as well) we were ready to head back for the evening. We could have fitted in a trip to the tin mines but decided against it and just headed back to Batchelor. The heat is exhausting and draining and that stops you from pushing yourself too hard to do everything. We would definately have needed another day to also do the Lost City and any walks. Also, driving after sunset anywhere in the Top End is not to be recommended as the wildlife is very active.

The dinners at Batchelor Butterfly Farm are great, and if you like alternative therapies the Cocoon Studio and Charlotte are fantastic - well worth giving yourself a treat.

Mataranka: We only viewed the replica Elsey Homestead and used the hot springs at the Homestead, which are easily accessible and free. You walk past the eatinhg, drinking, shopping and entertainment area on route to the springs which are large mostly outdoor seating areas. We did not really notice the cabins, although there was a large camping/caravan site there. The cabins at Territory Manor on first site appear to be breeze block/brick sheds but are comfortable, reasonably spacious and clean, if somewhat dated (think avocado bathroom suites). The site is excellent, quiet and has a very good standard restaurant (including something resembling Chicken Parmo - if you know Middlesbrough).

Jabiru: I am a Platinum level loyality card holder for Intercontinental Hotels (mostly via work trips), and at the Crocodile Gagudju Inn I received the service standard and extras I expected - friendly, efficient and early check-in, late check-out, upgrades (or better positioned rooms if no upgrade available - which were not) and other rewards (the toprical fruit platter). We had a ground floor room with our own furnished terrace located away from the pool area which was quiet. The room had a new double and new single bed and a reasonalbe (if smallish) shower over bath ensuite. The beds were super comfortable, with a pillow menu, and very clean and fresh. The pool was cool but refreshing in the heat with plenty of towels. The restaurant was a dissapointment due to the hall like size of the place and lack of ambiance, but the food was fresh, plentiful and good. The evening had a choice of buffet or 'a la carte', both were pricey but with a good standard and choice. Breakfast was excellent, but you could go room only and pick a snack up at the bakery in Jabiru (which was cheap with a good choice).

We loved Darwin and the Top End and cannot wait to return, we would definately do a Top End stopover when travelling to Australia again as we could not believe how much we enjoyed the area, so relaxed and fascinatingly up close with nature. Don't panic about the snakes, we saw 3 in total whilst there but they were in the open and did not make a move to bite us (they either did nothing or moved away quicker than I did).

If you can do the nightime Crocodile Adventure with BBQ at Katherine it is great fun, although the Springvale Homestead was the second worst accomodation, but one of the cheapest, we stayed in on our whole Australian trip (the worst being the swag tent at Undara - which was not particularly cheap).

Hope that helps.

Hi, kasyorks, thanks so much for all this extra info. We are hiring a 4WD as we are not into swimming. I seemed to miss out on swimming lessons when I was at primary school and DH was the same, living miles out in the country on a farm as he did. We will certainly stop and admire the beauty of the falls and where possible dip toes in the water. The cocoon studio sounds intriguing - will have to go on the website and have a look at it.

We have just spent two weeks in Alice Springs / Uluru and Brisbane, and didn't see a single snake in the wild!! In fact, on the many trips I have made to Aussie I have never yet seen a snake in the wild. As long as I can run faster than it I will be okay!

Have planned to do the nightime Crocodile Adventure & BBQ as it sounds like lots of fun, but we are not staying at Springvale. I'm afraid in my old age I prefer comfortable surroundings where possible!

I thought the only accommodation at Undara was the railway carriages and cabins. We did a day tour there from Cairns so didn't need to stay over. Interesting place, though.

The bakery at Jabiru has had very positive feedback comments so have that on the list of places to visit.

I will take on board what you said about the draining heat. Maybe we will have to modify our touring a little.

Again, thanks.