KH01-original
EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
Kakadu Highlights No. 1
Overview
Two separate walks in two very different areas
- Baroalba Creek, one of the most amazing landscapes in Kakadu.
- North to south across southern Litchfield. Waterfalls & pools galore.
Dry season visitors never see anything like this. Every waterfall will be flowing, the landscape will be lush and green. Better still, we'll have every one of our swimming pools to ourselves.
KAKADU
Jan
5-18 2024
Section 1: Baroalba Creek
We drive to the Kubara track, park the cars and walk about 3 km along a marked trail to Kubara Springs. From here, we leave all tracks behind, beginning a somewhat strenuous scramble up a boulder strewn creek.
Once inside the basin, the ground levels out and the walking becomes easier. There are a number of nice camp sites to tempt us as we work our way upstream, taking our time, stopping every so often to have a swim or just to enjoy the shade of a cool rock shelter or the sight of a particularly colourful patch of flowers.
Eventually we reach our final camp where we spend two or even three nights, exploring the basin above with day packs. Here we find an incredible concentration of art sites as well as quarries containing the remains of discarded stone tools that didn't make the grade.
Much of the area is very flat. Sometimes it is very wet, sometimes it is relatively dry — relatively. This is still the wet season so water is everywhere.
Much of the area is very flat. Sometimes it is very wet, sometimes it is relatively dry — relatively. This is still the wet season so water is everywhere.
Section 2: Litchfield
From Batchelor, we drive to a take off point where we get dropped off and the vehicles get taken to the end of the walk.
We walk to a beautiful spot not far above Tjaynera Falls. It’s such a magnificent spot that we’ll stop there no matter how early we arrive.
The serious walk begins the next morning as we do a short climb and head south toward a tributary of the East Reynolds. Some groups get there by lunch, but it’s such a nice spot that we stop for the day.
From there, we continue south, crossing the main branch of the East Reynolds. Crossing will almost certainly require a wade, maybe a swim.
There are a number of ups and downs as we make our way from one creek to the next. We walk through gorges, patches of monsoon forest and open woodland. Swims are frequent as we stop to enjoy the many pools we find along the way.
Finally there is Tableland Creek, the largest creek in the southern part of the park. Pool after pool, waterfall after waterfall, swim after swim, it is a magic spot. Most of the walking is fairly easy but there are likely to be a couple of ups and downs along the way. From our final camp, it is about two and a half hours, much on a 4WD track, to where we meet the vehicle that brings us back to Darwin.
Finally there is Tableland Creek, the largest creek in the southern part of the park. Pool after pool, waterfall after waterfall, swim after swim, it is a magic spot. Most of the walking is fairly easy but there are likely to be a couple of ups and downs along the way. From our final camp, it is about two and a half hours, much on a 4WD track, to where we meet the vehicle that brings us back to Darwin.
Details
DATES
Jan 5-18
Sec 1: Jan 5-11
Sec 2: Jan 11-18
PRICES
Full price: A$3995
Sec 1: A$2095
Sec 2: A$2695
*discounts available. These prices were for 2024. They have not been updated for 2025.
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITE
Mix of sand and rock ledges. Most sites are good to excellent but we have to avoid some of our dry season campsites which could get flooded. You are unlikely to see anyone else anywhere along the route.
ART
We visit a variety of art sites
SWIMMING
This is the best time to see the Top End waterfalls. We will have good pools at almost 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.
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
COOKING
In spite of the wet weather, we will have campfires every night and hot water available every morning.
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 may 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.
Distance
4-6 hours per day
Pack Weight
You need to carry 6 days of food on each section.
Unless you have walked in the wet season before, please do not book this trip until you have read our
Wet Season page. This links to two additional pages, just as important if you are to enjoy the trip.
Download detailed trip notesThe notes below are from 2023. Other than dates and prices, things should remain the same.
Jan 5-18
Download
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
2019 All rights Reserved