EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
Kakadu Highlights No. 2A
Overview
Walk the wonder of Kakadu in the Wet.
Dry season visitors never see anything like this. Every waterfall will be flowing, the landscape will be lush and green. Better still, we should have most of our swimming pools to ourselves.
The cheapest trip we've offered this century.
When we didn't get the bookings we needed to run the full Kakadu Highlights No. 2, Walkabouts owner Russell Willis created a shorter trip including the things he most wanted to do himself
and is offering to run it for as few as three people at an almost unbelievable price.
Please do not book until you have read the detailed PDF trip notes.
KAKADU
12-19 March 2023
This trip is a shorter version of Kakadu Highlights No. 2. It consists of the parts that Walkabouts owner Russell Willis most wanted to do and is being run at the special low price of $400.
We begin with something special we haven’t been able to do for the last ten years – an overnight walk at Motorcar and Kurrundie Creeks.
From Darwin, we drive to one of the Yurmikmik car parks and begin the walk on a marked trail.
We leave the marked trail near where it crosses Motorcar Creek and set up camp. From there we do a longish loop walk that takes to Kurrundie and lower Motorcar Falls, spectacular sites almost unknown to the general public.
Crocs don’t climb waterfalls so swimming is safe from here. We camp somewhere well above flood levels.
Dry season visitors see nothing like this. Pool after pool, waterfall after waterfall flowing at their wet season best.
Dry season visitors see nothing like this. Pool after pool, waterfall after waterfall flowing at their wet season best.
Our walk is a loop with only one short section that we have to do in both directions. On the final day, we return to the vehicle and drive to the Aurora Lodge in Jabiru where we spend the night.
Next day, if water levels permit, we will do the Guluyambi Aboriginal cultural tour the next day. This tour combines a wetland cruise and a visit to Ubirr.
Guluyambi brings you the relationship between Aboriginal people and their land, their culture. This particular tour is only offered for about two months per year when high water on the Magela floodplain gives access to a wetland seen by only a few.
After the tour, we have the choice of returning to Darwin or spending another night in Jabiru.
Details
DATES
12-19 March
PRICES
Full price: A$400
or A$250 if you provide your own 4WD transport.
Additional expenses apply. Click the link to the PDF trip notes for details.
None of our normal discounts apply with this offer.
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITE
Our overnight camps will be on sand, rock ledges or grassy areas depending on water levels at the time. The final night will be in accommodation.
ART
We visit a few art sites
SWIMMING
This is the best time to see the Top End waterfalls. We will have good pools at every campsite and lunch spot.
WILDLIFE
Birds are always present but spread out at this time of year. You are unlikely to see many large animals. The Guluyambi cruise may give you a chance to see large estuarine crocodiles.
CLIMATE
It will be hot (although not as hot as you might think) and it will be humid. The average daily maximum is 33-34ºC (91-94ºF). If we get a spell of relatively dry weather, the temperature could reach 40ºC (104ºF). The average minimum is 24ºC (75ºF). Sleeping bags are not needed. Rain is almost certain. On average it will rain two days out of three, mostly in short, sharp bursts. Averages can, however, be misleading. Occasionally, it might rain for days at a time. (This makes it somewhat harder to walk but it also makes the waterfalls more spectacular and keeps it relatively cool.) Occasionally, it may rain very little. This makes it substantially hotter than normal. There will be many opportunities to swim and cool off, but you must be prepared for hot, humid conditions.
COOKING
In spite of the wet weather, we will have campfires on our overnight walks and hot water available every morning.
WALK RATING - MODERATE
Terrain
Although most of the walks are fairly flat and straightforward, almost all of the walking is off-trail. There are some longish sections of rock scrambling and a couple of short but sharp climbs. If you have never done this before, you may find this fairly difficult.
Vegetation
Much of the walking is through relatively flat, open woodland with a grassy understorey. Some short sections of grass may hide a broken rocky surface where you will have to be particularly careful. There may be some slow sections where you will have to pass though thick scrub. The vegetation can vary from year to year depending on when last burnt. Much of section two is on trails where the vegetation is not much of a problem.
Distance
Generally 4-6 hours, not including breaks. A few days might be longer.
Pack Weight
You need to carry five nights food on the longest walk.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
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