EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
Kakadu-Kimberley Special
oVERVIEW - DETAILS - ITINERARY - GALLERY - MAP
Overview
This trip was originally created for a group from New Zealand. It looked so good that we had to offer it again. It consists of three very different sections so you never need to carry more than six days food at a time. In between sections, you have a night in accommodation.
- Barramundi Creek in Kakadu with its many waterfalls and beautiful pools.
- A two day drive to Kununura with interesting stops along the way followed by a five day walk in the Carr Boyd Range.
- A week exploring the gorges in the Bungle Bungles. Much of the walking is done without carrying a full pack.
KAKADU & KIMBERLEY
May 21 - June 10 2023
1. Barramundi Creek
A drive of about 300 km, the last 40 of which is on gravel, brings us to Maguk, one of the most popular areas in Kakadu. From there, we follow a marked trail for a few hundred metres to where we climb up into the Barramundi Valley. A walk of no more than about two hours brings us to our first camp, next to a pool. The short walk makes for an easy start after a long drive.
The next morning, we continue upstream through the lower Barramundi Gorge, turn off onto a side creek and the place we call Emerald Pool, an incredibly deep, clear, emerald-green pool below a waterfall. We then climb up above the pool to an area we call Piccaninny Pools. More views and swims before we move upstream a short distance to our camp for the night.
About an hours walk brings us to the next special place where we drop our packs to explore a magnificent little gorge and series of waterfalls.
From there, another 2-3 hours brings us to a steep descent, below which we find the largest pool in the whole Barramundi system. This is surrounded by huge, shady trees. We’ll do a day walk without packs from here so we can experience a bit more of what the area has to offer.
Another day's walk brings us back to our first camp. From there, we retrace out steps back to the vehicle and drive to Cooinda where we check into the campground. At 1:00 PM, we join the Animal Tracks Safari tour where you will have a chance to meet some of the Aboriginal traditional owners of the park and enjoy a bush tucker dinner.
This section finishes with the 6.45 a.m. Yellow Waters Cruise the following
morning.
2. To and in the Carr Boyd Range
From Cooinda, we drive about 450 km to the Victoria River Roadhouse where we spend the night. The next day, we do some short walks in Gregory-Judbarra National Park, and exploring some other bits of history as we continue to Kununurra across the border in the Kimberley.
After a night in Kununurra, we
begin our next walk with a boat ride up the Ord River to a drop off on Cooliman Creek. From there, a relatively flat walk of about 4 km brings us to a creek where one waterfall follows another as we make our way upstream. We cross to another creek system and follow it down to where we exit the range. Along the way we will stop to enjoy numerous swims and take time out to simply relax and look at nature around us.
We exit the range near Packsaddle Creek where we are met by the pick up vehicle that brings us back to Kununurra for another night at the Kimberley Croc.
3. The Bungle Bungles
The drive to start of our walk takes most of the first day but we should arrive in time to walk the first few kilometres up Piccaninny Creek.
The next day we continue upstream to a base camp about 12-13 kilometres up Piccaninny Gorge, where sheer red cliffs are silhouetted against the clear blue skies of the dry season.
Piccaninny is by far the largest gorge in the Bungles. We spend three or four nights there using the days to explore the many fascinating side gorges. These gorges offer a variety of delights — some are palm filled, some are very narrow and require swimming, some have caves which require the use of a torch. There is at least one gorge that allows us to reach a high point.
No words can do justice to the beauty of the area. The only way to appreciate it is to come and see it for yourself.
This section finishes with the drive back to Kununurra.
Details
DATES
May 21 - June 10PRICES
Full price: A$6995
Section 1: A$2895
Section 2: A$2595
Section 3: A$2695
*discounts available
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITE
Mix of sand and rock ledges. Most sites are good to excellent. You are unlikely to see anyone else anywhere along the route.More details in the trip notes.
ART
We visit a variety of art sites
SWIMMING
Excellent on sections one and two. Possible but colder and the water isn't flowing on section three.
WILDLIFE
Birds are always present but spread out at this time of year. You are unlikely to see many large animals. The Yellow Waters cruise is excellent for birds, many of which you are unlikely to see on the walks. It also gives you a good chance to see large estaurine crocodiles.
CLIMATE
Usually very dry, average daytime max 30-31ºC, average nighttime minimum is about 18ºC in Kakadu, about 14ºC in the Kimberley. Occasionally it gets below 10ºC in Kakadu and below 5ºC in the Kimberley.
Rain is very unlikely, but it is possible. Since 1986, we have had moderately heavy rain in June on three or four occasions since 1986. If you wish to keep your pack as light as possible, leave your tent fly at home. If you wish to be absolutely certain that you won’t get wet, bring it.
COOKING
We will have campfires every night and hot water available every morning on sections one and two. The Bungles is a stove only area.
WALK RATING - HARD
Terrain
There are few steep climbs, none of which is over 200 m. As short as they are, these climbs are strenuous. Some may require using your hands to hold on as you climb up or down. None are technically difficult. None require ropes or other special.equipment.
You will definitely have to float your pack across one or more flooded creeks. If you can’t swim at least 100 m unaided, do not do this trip.
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 are usually some sections of thick grass and/or spinifex which make for slow going. Gaiters essential, long trousers recommended.
See the trip notes for details about the differences between sections.
Distance
4-6 hours per day
Pack Weight
You need to carry 6 days of food on sections 1 & 3, for days on section 2.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
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