Great Top End Escape

Route and prices

At a glance

Dates: 29 June – 6 July 2024

The Great Top End Escape is no ordinary cycling tour. It’s an eight-day, fully-supported premium bike riding holiday.

Staying in three to five-star accommodation, you will be afforded all the luxuries and support needed to enjoy your time both on and off the bike.

Beyond the riding, there are also some extra special activities each day to make sure you experience the very best of the Top End.

The route

Great Top End Escape 2024 - Route Map (Full)
View prices

Day by day

Itinerary

Day 1: Sat 29 June – Arrive in Darwin

Settle in and organise any last-minute items before we embark on the trip of a lifetime together. Feel the buzz and excitement as you tinker with gears, double-check you brought fly repellent* and put that trusty camera at the top of your backpack.

Finally, to relax any nerves and get in the mood for the adventure ahead, join us for dinner at the Darwin Sailing Club and bask in the golden sunlight as the sun sets over the harbour. Your luxury holiday has now begun.

*Top tip – don’t forget the fly repellent!

Great Top End Escape - Day1 - Darwin
What’s on
  • 12:00pm: Event check in opens with Bicycle Network at H on Smith
    • Collect your rider pack
    • Prepare your bike
  • 2:00pm: Check into room at H on Smith
  • 5:45pm: Coach to dinner
  • 6:00pm: Welcome dinner (Darwin Sailing Club) with Welcome to Country and rider briefing

Accommodation: H on Smith, Darwin

Day 2: Sun 30 June – Explore Darwin | 38km

Just added: extra 15km of optional riding.

Ride details
Great Top End Escape 2024 - Route Map (Day 2)

We kick things off with a cruisy 38km ride around Darwin. Rolling out from the hotel front door we’ll casually make our way to the beautiful Darwin Foreshore.

Along the way we will allow plenty of time to explore and pass some of Darwin’s major attractions:

  • Museum and Art Gallery of the NT
  • Darwin Military Museum
  • Darwin Museum Underground WWII Oil storage tunnels
  • Botanic Gardens

Choose to ride with us or take your own route through Darwin’s inner-city sights.

What’s on
  • 6:00am: Breakfast at H on Smith
  • 8:00am: Ride and explore Darwin
  • 5:45pm: Coach to Darwin Markets for dinner and sunset
  • 8:00pm: Return to accommodation

Accommodation: H on Smith, Darwin

Great Top End Escape - Day 2 - Darwin

Day 3: Mon 1 Jul  – Ride to Florence Falls, Litchfield National Park | 33km

Just added: extra 23km of optional riding.

Ride details
Great Top End Escape 2024 - Route Map (Day 3)

On day three we will venture to Litchfield National Park on a 33km journey through vast outback landscapes and undulating terrain.

Our ride will begin from Wangi Falls, where you will get an opportunity to do a short walk while listening to the roaring sounds of the nearby waterfall.

The day’s end sees us arrive at the spectacular Florence Falls, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the open valley and waterhole below.

What’s on
  • 6:00am: Breakfast at H on Smith
  • 7:30am: Coach to Litchfield National Park, Wangi Falls
  • 9:30am: Ride to Florence Falls
  • 3:00pm: Coach to Darwin, H on Smith Hotel (expected arrival 5pm)
  • 6:30pm: Dinner at Darwin Botanic Gardens

Accommodation: H on Smith, Darwin

Great Top End Escape - Day 3 - Florence Falls

Day 4: Tues 2 Jul – Ride to Edith Falls (Leliyn) | 19km

Just added: extra 19km of optional riding.

Ride details
Great Top End Escape 2024 - Route Map (Day 4)

It’s time to move onto our next location and spend a few nights exploring Katherine and its surrounds. The riding this day will be short but sweet, and finish at an oasis known as Edith Falls (Leliyn) situated on the outskirts of Katherine.

Here you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some free time and a swim, relax by the waterhole or take a walk to stretch those legs after the morning coach journey.

The evening will be well spent at the Katherine Outback Experience, where the group will enjoy dinner under the stars followed by a one-hour performance and a working dog and horse show by musician Tom Curtain.

What’s on
  • 6:00am: Breakfast at H on Smith
  • 7:30am: Coaches depart for Edith Falls, expected arrival 12pm (includes morning tea break)
  • 12:30pm: Ride to Edith Falls (Leliyn) – to Lunch, swim, walk and relax
  • 4:00pm: Coach to Contour Katherine Hotel (expected arrival at 5pm)
  • 6:30pm: Coach to dinner and show at the Katherine Outback Experience
  • 9:30pm: Return to hotel

Accommodation: Contour Hotel, Katherine

Great Top End Escape - Edith Falls

Photography: Tourism NT and Sean-Scott

Day 5: Wed 3 Jul – Yellow Water Billabong Cruise | Rest Day

Today we park our bikes, hop on a coach and travel to Yellow Water in Kakadu National Park. Once we arrive, lunch will be served at the Cooinda Lodge, followed by a 90-minute cruise through the Yellow Water billabong. On this cruise you’ll feel as though you are in another world as you immerse yourself in nature. Spot crocodiles, birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

If waterfalls are more your thing, then 10 lucky riders can opt in for a Maguk Waterfalls day trip instead, operated by Bicycle Network. The day trip involves a transfer to Maguk Waterfall, a short walk through the forest before arriving at the secluded watering hole where you can enjoy a relaxing swim and lunch.

Both activities are included in the ticket price. Everyone will automatically be allocated to the Yellow Water cruise day trip, unless they opt out for Maguk waterfall. Both activities involve long drives to locations.

What’s on

After breakfast at the hotel, today’s itinerary will be based on guest’s chosen tour.

Yellow Water River Cruise
  • Full day tour (coach transport, cruise and lunch included)
  • Capacity: unlimited
  • Tour operated by Kakadu Tourism, coach transfer with Bicycle Network
Maguk Waterhole
  • Full-day tour (transfer, swim and lunch included)
  • Capacity: 10 people
  • Bicycle Network operated tour

Dinner will be provided at the hotel at 7pm.

Accommodation: Contour Hotel, Katherine

Great Top End Escape - Yellow Water Billabong Cruise
Great Top End Escape - Day 5 Yellow Water

Day 6: Thur 4 Jul – Ride to Nitmiluk | 32km

Ride details
Great Top End Escape 2024 - Route Map (Day 6)

After lunch, we are ready to ride! Today we pedal to one of the Northern Territory’s most famous landmarks, Nitmiluk Gorge (also known as Katherine Gorge).

The beginning of the ride travels through iconic outback terrain that is a hot spot for native animals like Kangaroos. In the distance you’ll notice the booming figure that is the gorge.

As we roll on, the gorge’s scale and beauty come into full view. Take a moment to soak it in.

If flying high is your thing, you can sign up for a scenic helicopter ride ($120 per person). During this 10-minute tour, you’ll experience three spectacular gorges from above, before cruising through them later in the day.

Optional activities

Before hopping on the bike, the morning is yours to spend as you choose with some optional activities. Participants will be emailed when they are open to book.

Three Gorge Helicopter Flight
  • 10 minute scenic flight over Nitmiluk Gorge
  • Cost: $159 per person
  • Find out more
Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park
  • 8am – 11am (1 hour tour)
  • Cost: $35 per person
  • Tour operated by Nitmiluk Tours, coach transfer with Bicycle Network
  • Find out more
Katherine Hot Springs
  • Cost: Free entry
  • Bicycle Network will operate shuttles to/from the hotel
  • Find out more
Katherine Hot Springs

Photography: Tourism NT, Kyle Hunter and Hayley Anderson

What’s on
  • 6:00am: Breakfast at Katherine Contour Hotel
  • 8:00am: Free time & optional activities
  • 11:00am: Lunch at Katherine Contour
  • 12:30pm: Ride to Nitmiluk (Optional: helicopter rides)
  • 3:15pm: Indigenous cultural tour
  • 4:30pm: Gorge tour with sunset dinner (3.5 hours)
  • 8:00pm: Coach to Katherine Contour Hotel

Accommodation: Contour Hotel, Katherine

Great Top End Escape - Day 6 - Nitmiluk

Day 7: Fri 5 Jul – Ride to Mandorah Ferry | 74km

Ride details
Great Top End Escape 2024 - Route Map (Day 7)

Just when you thought it was all over, there’s one more memorable experience to top it all off – a dip in Berry Springs! Then the riding begins back to Darwin.

As the day draws to a close, we take the Mandorah Ferry back to Darwin and reminisce on a full week of action-packed adventure and unforgettable moments.

Please join us for one last meal as we say farewell and celebrate an incredible holiday.

What’s on
  • 6:00am Breakfast at Katherine Contour Hotel
  • 7:30am Coach departs for Berry Springs
  • 11:00am Swim and lunch
  • 12:30pm Ride to Mandorah Ferry
  • 7:00pm: Coach to dinner at Wharf One, located in the Darwin Precinct.

Accommodation: H on Smith, Darwin

Great Top End Escape - Day 7 - Mandorah Ferry

Day 8: Sat 6 Jul – Farewell

What’s on
Flying home

Day 8 brings us to the end of our incredible adventure through some of the most untouched natural landscapes in the world.

Farewell and have a safe journey home!

Prices

Premium

Until Friday 28th June

Twin share (pp)
$4,999.00
Double share (pp)
$4,999.00
Own room
$6,299.00
Book now
Payment details

Balance payment: If you paid a deposit, the remaining balance is due 5pm Friday 2 February 2024

Bookings are capped at 120 guests.

Terms and conditions apply.

Got a question? Chat to the team.

Chelsea de Ruyter

Phone: (03) 8376 8888

Email: escape@bicyclenetwork.com.au
Contact: Monday – Friday (9am – 5pm)

 

Coordinating larger community groups across Bicycle Network’s various events, Chelsea’s excited to use this experience to create a memorable cycling holiday for riders on the Great Top End Escape. As a travel and nature enthusiast, she can’t wait to help you get the most out of this trip of a lifetime.

Jaimie Collins

Phone: (03) 8376 8888

Email: escape@bicyclenetwork.com.au
Contact: Monday – Friday (9am – 5pm)

 

With more than six years under her belt in the Bicycle Network events team, Jaimie takes every opportunity to travel the world and is happiest when outdoors and being active. After exploring the Top End in 2022, she’s looking forward to helping you discover all the hidden gems on offer at our next Great Top End Escape..

Save your spot today to Ride the Top End in June 2024

Book now