The Adelaide River Memorial is a must. As an Australian, it was so impactful to see how many lost their lives in the bombings of Darwin. I say bombings because Darwin was bombed over 60 times, spanning nearly 2 years. The Katherine Gorge cruise was fantastic, our guide was a local Aboriginal man who was very knowledgeable. The lunch was a really good buffet. We were a bit unlucky as our bus broke down at Adelaide River meaning we didn't get to see Pine Creek as we had to wait for a replacement bus.

This is a wonderful tour to Kakadu National Park, but a long day. We had a very early start at 6:15 a.m. I saw an albino buffalo at our morning tea stop at Corroboree Park Tavern. Our first stop in Kakadu was Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) to see the aboriginal rock art. After visiting the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre we had lunch, followed by a cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong (Ngurrungurrud jba). It is home to many saltwater crocodiles. We saw lots of birds along the billabong, including a White-bellied Sea Eagle couple. As we left the National Park, we made a comfort stop at the park entrance.

My two-day foray into the heart of Kakadu National Park was a profound cultural immersion, enriched by the natural splendor of the landscape and the wisdom of its traditional custodians. The tour was a blend of the ancient and the present, offering insights and experiences that resonated deeply with the spirit of this ancient land. Our exploration began with a serene cruise up the Yellow River Billabong, a tableau of biodiversity, where the sounds of a multitude of birds harmonized with the rustling of plants and the occasional splash of crocodiles. This gentle introduction to Kakadu's ecosystem set a peaceful tone for the journey ahead. The ancient Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr was a window into a past that felt both distant and immediate. The walks to these sacred sites were comfortable, with thoughtful paths laid out for easy access, and optional extensions for those desiring a more vigorous exploration to additional lookouts. Day two presented the highlight of the tour—the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise. Guided by local Aboriginal men, this experience was not just a tour but an invitation into the living heart of their culture. As we navigated the East Alligator River, the presence of crocodiles added a primal edge to the narrative. My guide, Hilton, provided an invaluable perspective on his people's culture, hunting techniques, and language, culminating in the rare honor of setting foot on East Arnhem Land. The culinary experience at Cooinda Lodge on the first day was a delight, with a buffet lunch offering a spread befitting the grandeur of the surroundings. However, the overnight stay at the Mercure Kakadu sharply contrasted this indulgence. Despite its iconic status, the hotel was disappointingly lackluster, with rooms that whispered of neglect—dusty, aged, and less than welcoming. The worn mattress and shapeless pillows spoke of a need for urgent refurbishment. The second day's lunch at the Mercure, while not poor, paled in comparison to the previous day's feast and could benefit from a touch of the inspiration that marked our first meal. Anthony, our coach driver and guide, was a wellspring of knowledge, mindful of our comfort and well-being. The coach itself was an oasis of comfort, ensuring we remained hydrated and relaxed throughout our travels. In summary, the tour was a poignant reminder of the enduring beauty of Kakadu's cultural and natural heritage, slightly blemished by the accommodation experience. For the enriching cultural encounters, breathtaking landscapes, and thoughtful guidance, I would rate this tour a 4 out of 5. The Mercure Kakadu's offering, however, needs immediate attention to meet the standard of what was otherwise a remarkable journey.

My excursion into the heart of Darwin offered a compelling glimpse into the city's rich history and natural beauty, yet was marred by an unexpected turn of events. The day began with promise under the guidance of Anthony, a tour guide whose depth of knowledge about Darwin's sites proved as expansive as the cityscape itself. The tour's itinerary was thoughtfully curated, with the first half including visits to the Aviation Museum, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and the Botanical Gardens. The Aviation Museum's centerpiece, a massive B52 bomber, was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Equally impactful was the exhibit on Cyclone Tracy, which provided an eye-opening account of the event that reshaped Darwin's landscape and spirit. As we journeyed through Darwin, Anthony's commentary enriched the sights, intertwining the visual experience with historical context and making the drive through the city an enlightening aspect of the tour itself. The bus, our vessel for the day's adventure, was comfortable, and there was an ample supply of water—a much-appreciated detail that ensured hydration throughout the tour. However, anticipation turned to disappointment when the second half of our tour, the eagerly awaited Jumping Croc experience, was canceled due to mechanical issues. This unforeseen glitch undoubtedly cast a shadow over what was shaping up to be a memorable day. An additional concern was the size of the bus seatbelts. They were on the smaller side, which posed a discomfort for me, an oversight in inclusivity that could easily be remedied to ensure all passengers' safety and comfort. Despite the setback with the crocodile tour, the first half of the day shone brightly, thanks to the insightful commentary and the variety of interesting sites. Yet, it's impossible to overlook the loss of what could have been the thrilling climax to our Darwin discovery. In weighing the entirety of the experience, I would rate this tour a 3 out of 5. The tour provided a well-rounded introduction to Darwin's historical and natural wonders, but the cancellation and the issue with the seatbelts were significant drawbacks. With improvements in these areas, the tour has the potential to deliver an outstanding full-day experience for future explorers.

We had a wonderful day. The coach was very comfortable. Katherine Gorge was absolutely stunning. The tour guide/ bus driver Libby was amazing, she was knowledgeable and very entertaining. Highly recommend this tour. (The Calvin Klein girls)

amazing . just amazing . great divers . funny and informative . great boat captain on the gorge . huge knowledge about the geology and history . very proud and very funny. great all round day . highly recommended

Optional flight worth every cent. Great commentary. Nice and careful driver. Excellent lunch. Comfortable coach.

Have always wanted to visit Tiwi islands especially after watching a movie called top end wedding I fell in love with the island and just knew I had to go visit on arrival we met our tour guide romolo who from the very start was welcoming and made sure we got the most out of our time on the island and was very informative on not just the island but the cultural side of things as well the only downside of the day was having to leave the island but rest assured I intend to book this tour again when I return in 2 years time thank you romolo for a wonderful day was a highlight of my trip and one I will never forget

The tour itinerary was totally different from the one that was sent via email. The tour guide repeated herself multiple times throughout the day about the process. But did not mention once how it was different from the one sent via email. 1 bus picked us up from our hotel and dropped us at another hotel. Then we had to get on another bus. This wasn’t mentioned and added 30 minutes into the trip. Instead of heading home after all the things were finished on the itinerary the bus driver went out to Jimbaru to pick up staff to bring them back and then pick up people from a plane ride. This wasn’t in the emailed itinerary and added an hour to the trip. I raised this with the bus driver in the afternoon and she was incredibly rude. She said I’m just a bus driver raise it with AAT kings. I said I will thanks for letting me know. Then she kept talking for 5 minutes trying to justify us being home 1.5 hours late. I ordered a bus tour, not a public bus that picks up everyone at AAT Kings choosing. We left at 6am and did not get back to 8pm. So I was stuck in the bus for an extra 1.5 hours. Please don’t waste peoples time. Who wants to get back at 8:30pm when in the email it said 7pm.

This was an enlightening snd informative introduction to Tiwi Island culture and history. Huide Freddie was excellent. He shared his broad knowledge of Tiwi Islands culture and history. Driver John was helpful and friendly. A great day thank you.

Great day ...long round trip but totally worth it ...stops along the way to break it up Our driver Mel was amazing and gave us a full commentary that was very educational...the gorge cruse was a bucket list item ticked ..was very hot but they kept reminding us to drink water all day Lunch before the cruise was great ..highly recomend

A great trip. Very long drive but coach was very comfortable and cool. Croc cruise was awesome. Libby was our driver 5 star. Fab day.

Glad we went for two days. One would have been a lot of travel time, sitting on a coach for not enough time there. The optional flight was our highlight, it allowed us to see so much more & all the colours of the park - the burns, the dry, the wetlands, the rivers & amazing stones. The first day cruise was good & the guide was informative. I strongly recommend you take your own snacks and eat at the very first stop as there is nothing offered on day 1 other than lunch. ( Which is substantial). The Mecure Crocodile Hotel was a very welcome break. The pool was very refreshing after a long, hot day. The rooms are basic but fine for one night. We shared with our teenage soon & it was fine, The restaurant food was surprisingly very good both at dinner & breakfast. Top quality and fairly expensive but delicious. The second day in a smaller 4wd mini bus was far better with much more time off the bus seeing the rock art and scenery. Guide was great. Food was simple and not a lot of it. Again, I recommend taking your own snacks to supplement. Trip back is 3.5 hours, arriving back into Darwin about 7.30 pm.

Tried to book online on Sunday for following day tour (only date available whilst I was in Darwin) Never heard back at any time from AAT Kings to left booking request. On the off chance could get tour ticket at the jetty went at 7am - not possible.

Had a fabulous day! Would highly recommend this tour. The guide Michael was very entertaining and knowledgeable and the places we visited, were spectacular. Thank you AAT Kings Tour company!