EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
Kakadu Highlights No. 4
Overview
Two separate walks in two very different national Parks.
- Baroalba Creek in Kakadu. Spectacular rock formations, monsoon forest and a number or rock art sites.
- Koolpin & Freezing Gorges in the southern part of the park.
- A night in a campground, a Yellow Waters Cruise and an Aboriginal bush tucker tour between sections.
TOP END
May 11-24 2025
1) Baroalba Creek, Kakadu
The rugged nature of the approaches prevented buffalo from reaching the basin, making this one of the few undisturbed areas in Kakadu. The area is full of rock shelters that were used by Aboriginal people over the millennia. It contains what may well be the greatest concentration of Aboriginal rock art in Australia, dating from the most ancient to the most recent.
We begin with a drive of about 300 km from Darwin followed by an easy three kilometre stroll along an old four wheel drive track to Kubara (Baroalba Springs) where we can enjoy a refreshing swim. From here, we leave all tracks behind.
There are two routes to our preferred campsite. A relatively easy one through mostly open country along a small tributary and a small, more strenuous one through a monsoon forest patch along the boulder strewn main creek.
Monsoon forest is too rare an environment to miss so we may go up one and down the other. Which is which will depend on the time we arrive.
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. We should have one two-night camp from which we do a day walk.
On the final day, we return to the walking track, hike back to the vehicles and drive to Cooinda. If available, we will do an Aboriginal cultural tour
On our final morning in Kakadu, we do the 6:45 am Yellow Waters cruise. This gives you a good view of the Kakadu wetlands, not the best place for a bushwalk, but a wonderful place for birds and other wildlife.
2) Koolpin & Freezing Gorges
This section overlaps the first. After the cruise we drive about 150 km to Koolpin Gorge where we begin our second walk.
Koolpin Gorge is beautiful. The pools are perfect for swimming, the waterfalls and views a photographers delight. Aboriginal art sites tell us that this has been a special place for thousands of years.
From here, we head approximately east to the base of a tall hill. We drop our packs and climb to the top where we enjoy a magnificent view in all directions. The climb is relatively easy with a cool sort of labyrinth just below the top.
Back on the plain, we continue up and over a low pass and back to Koolpin Creek where we camp near lovely set of cascades. From there we follow Koolpin back down past our second campsite to where the creek does a sharp bend. We camp on a sandy area near the bend.
Next day, we follow a fault line across two low passes and drop down into Freezing Gorge. Freezing Creek has carved a deep and narrow gorge where the sun seldom reaches the water, hence the name. The pools are just as inviting as those in Koolpin, perhaps more so since very few of the 4WD campers are aware that it exists. We seldom see anyone at any point along the creek.
To get through the gorge, you need to be prepared for a short pack float.
The walk down Freezing Creek below the gorge involves climbing over and scrambling around large boulders. A distance of about a kilometre may take two hours. Although we do not rate this walk as difficult, the one km walk down Freezing Creek below the gorge can be a daunting experience for some people. Progress down the creek may be quite slow.
Once at the bottom, a relatively short walk brings us back to our vehicles for the long drive back to Darwin.
Details
DATES
11-24 MaySection 1: 11-17 May
Section 2: 16-24 May
PRICES
Full price: A$5395
Section 1: $3095
Section 2: $3795
*discounts available
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITES
Mix of sand, grassy areas and rock ledges. Most sites are good; some are excellent, some may be no more than average. You are unlikely to see anyone else at any of the campsites.
ART
Excellent on both sections.
SWIMMING
Good pools at most campsites and lunch spots.
WILDLIFE
Birds are always present but spread out at this time of year.
CLIMATE
Average daytime max 32ºC, average nighttime min 17-20ºC. It can, however, drop below 10ºC. Generally low humidity. Rain is unlikely but possible. We recommend that you bring a tent or mosquito net with a fly or at least a plastic sheet for shelter if we do get an unseasonal rain.
COOKING
Except in campgrounds, we will have campfires every night and hot water available every morning.
WALK RATING - MODERATE
Terrain
Most of the walk is relatively flat. There are, however, a few moderate climbs and a fair amount of rock hopping, especially coming down Freezing Creek. There may be sections of thick scrub. We cannot say for sure as this depends how recently the area has been burnt and on how much rain there has been since.
Varies from year to year depending on when last burnt. In May, most of the spear grass has finished seeding and dried out. Based on past experience, we expect some sections of thick scrub and or spinifex which will make some days much harder than others. There are always flowers in bloom.
Distance
4-6 hours per day. A few days might be longer.
Pack Weight
You need to carry 5 days food on section one and 7 on section two. You need a light sleeping bag. We recommend a tent or mosquito net with a fly or plastic cover.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
You need to click view more to see all the photos in the gallery below. The first 5 are from Baroalba. The next five from Koolpin and the last five from Freezing.
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