KakShort2
EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
Kakadu Short Overnight No. 2
Overview
This trip will consist of two walks during which you will need to carry a full pack a total of less than 15 km. You will, however, need to carry a day pack for much more if you wish to do the full walk. On both of these walks, you camp next to a nice pool and have time for swimming during the day.
- Two nights at two different campsites.
- Graveside -- one of the shadiest & coolest gorges in Kakadu.
- Koolpin -- more great swims and a variety of Aboriginal art sites.
- A cultural experience to finish.
KAKADU
Aug 29 - Sep 4 2021
We begin with a four to six hour, 350 kilometre drive from Darwin. The last 45 kilometres is on a 4WD track which is so rough that it can take over two hours on its own. From the parking area, a relatively easy three kilometre walk ground brings us to a lovely pool and our campsite.
The next day, we put on our day packs and do a loop walk up visiting some of the Aboriginal art sites in the hills near the gorge, then following the gorge back to where we began. There will be plenty of time for relaxing and swimming.
We return the way we came.
To get to our second walk, we need to travel about 160 km from Koolpin. About half is on slow 4WD tracks. From the parking area, we carry our packs about 5 km to a shady spot next to a nice pool.
We spend the following day exploring the two branches of Graveside. In some places on our day walk, the water is wall to wall so we have to wade – or if you prefer, swim.
You can make this day as easy or as hard as you’d like. To get to the middle falls, you need swim across a pool and climb up next the falls. It’s not easy but we did have a very fit 77 year old woman from New Zealand do it.
A short, steep climb the next morning gets us onto the plateau where we have a look at the upper reaches of the two creeks we explored the day before. At this time of year, the flow is down to a trickle but there are still plenty of pools where we can cool off and relax in the midday heat.
We continue with a loop along the top and descend via a small gully near our campsite. Anyone who thinks that this might be too much is welcome to relax in camp for the day.
We return to the car and drive to the Kakadu Billabong Sfari Camp, owned and operated by the local Aboriginal traditional owners. We spend the night in accommodation and do one or more of their cultural experiences.
Click this link, Kakadu Billabong Safari Camp, for more information about what they have to offer.
Details
DATES
29 August - 4 SeptemberPRICES
Full price: A$2095
*discounts available
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITES
Mix of sand and rock ledges. Most sites are good to excellent.You are unlikely to see anyone else except at the beginning and end of the walks.
ART
There are relatively few art sites on the walks but we may visit some of the better known ones on the last day or two.
SWIMMING
We will have good pools at every campsite and lunch spot.
WILDLIFE
Birds are always present and are beginning to concentrate near the waterholes as the land dries out. This would be an excellent walk for keen birdwatchers. You are unlikely to see many large animals.
CLIMATE
By September it is always starting to heat up again. The humidity is beginning to build up, but both the temperatures and humidity will increase in the weeks to follow. The maximum temperature on most days will be 35-38ºC. The average nightly minimum is about 23-24ºC, but it once dropped all the way down to 11ºC in Katherine, about 100 km to the south. You may not need a sleeping bag but you should be prepared and bring a light one. Rain is unlikely but possible so you should have something to use as shelter if we do get rain.
COOKING
We will have campfires every night on the walks and hot water available every morning.
WALK RATING - MODERATE
Terrain
Both of the walks have a steep climb, neither of which of which is over 100 m. As short as they are, these climbs are strenuous. They 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. There will be some places where you have to step from stone to stone as you walk along the edge of a creek.
Little of the walking is on a marked trail. On some of the walks, none of the walking is on a marked trail. If you have never done any off-track walking through moderately rough terrain, nothing we can say can adequately describe the experience.
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. If there has been an early rain, you may see the beginning of the greening of the land.
Distance
4-6 hours per day. Full packs on three days, day packs on the others.
Pack Weight
You need to carry 3 days of food on one walk, 2 on the other.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
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