KH05New

EXPERIENCES / KAKADU

Kakadu Highlights No. 5

Overview   -   DETAILS   -   ITINERARY   -   GALLERY   -   MAP

Overview


  • Two separate walks in two very different areas.
  • Koolpin and Freezing Gorge with their waterfalls and beautiful pools.
  • Jim Jim and Twin -- the two largest waterfalls in the park.
  • The Animal Tracks tour with a traditional guide.
  • A Yellow Waters cruise and night in a campground between sections.
KAKADU
Jun 25 - Jul 8  2023
1) Koolpin - Freezing

The drive to Koolpin Gorge in southern Kakadu takes several hours.  Once there, it is so beautiful and such a special place that it normally takes us two days to get to our second Koolpin camp only 6 km from where we began.

From here, we head roughly 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 a pretty set of  cascades
From there we follow Koolpin downstream to where we follow a fault line across two low passes and down to Freezing Gorge, a deep, narrow gorge where the sun seldom reaches the water. The pools are just as inviting as those in Koolpin, perhaps more so as so  few of the 4WD campers are aware that it exists that we seldom see anyone else.

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.

We return to the cars and drive to Cooinda and check into the campground before departing on the Animal Tracks tour.  Next morning, we do the early morning Yellow Waters cruise. The cruise allows you to experience the wetlands in a way that is not possible on foot.
2) Jim Jim - Twin Falls Loop

This section includes the Animal Tracks tour, Yellow Waters cruise and night at Cooinda.

From Cooinda, we drive to the Jim Jim car park, put on our packs and head cross country to Twin Falls. We follow a marked trail to the top where we can relax and enjoy the views. 

We now spend a day, possibly two, exploring the 7 km upper Twin Gorge, camping near the Amphitheatre Falls. 

From here, we begin our trek 
to the top of Anbadgoran or the Rainforest Gorge. Although it is much smaller than nearby Jim Jim and Twin Falls Creeks, the creek which created this gorge continues to flow long after its more famous neighbours have stopped.
The walk to Anbadgoran takes us through some very rugged country, so rugged that no two groups have taken the exact same route. Some camp along the way, some do the full distance. Anbadgoran is so pretty that, time permitting, we might spend two nights. 

The route from Anbadgoran to Jim Jim Creek is relatively flat and easy so we normally get to Jim Jim Creek in time for lunch. We spend the rest of the day exploring the area above the falls. 

On the final morning, we follow the marked trail to the bottom of Jim Jim where we meet the pick up vehicles that will bring us back to Darwin.

Details


DATES
25 June - 8 July
Section 1: 25 June - July
Section 2: 1-8 July
PRICES
Full price: A$4195
Section 1 or 2: $2795
*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 e3xcept at the beginning and end of the walks.
ART
We visit a variety of art sites
SWIMMING
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. The Yellow Waters cruise is excellent for birds, many of which you are unlikely to see on the walk. It also gives you a good chance to see large estaurine crocodiles.
CLIMATE
It will be hot (although not as hot as you might think) and it will be humid.  The average daily maximum is 30-31ºC (86-88ºF). The average minimum is 16-18ºC (61-64ºF). It can go as low as 10ºC (50ºF). On rare occasions, it can go even lower. Sleeping bags are essential. Rain is very unlikely but we recommend bringing something to use as a shelter if we fluke a rain storm.
COOKING
We will have campfires every night and hot water available every morning.

WALK RATING - MODERATE
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 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. At this time of year, the spear grass has finished seeding and dried out.

Distance

4-6 hours per day 

Pack Weight

You need to carry 6 days of food on each section.

Booking Information Enquire Now

Download detailed trip notes

25 June - 8 July

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Itinerary


  • DAY 0

    Pre-trip meeting, 6.30 p.m., Pool Side Bar & Restaurant, Double Tree Hilton, 122 The Esplanade. This meeting is important. If you cannot make the meeting, please advise us well in advance.

  • DAY 1

    8 a.m. pick up. Pick up is from your accommodation if you have notified us where you

    are staying at least a week before departure or have made alternate arrangements at the

    pre-trip meeting. Otherwise, pick up is from Mitchell Street Tourist Precinct at 69 Mitchell Street. Drive to Kakadu. 

    There will be a stop along the way to buy cool drinks, etc.

    Begin the walk, bush camp carrying full packs.

  • DAY 2-6

    Bush camps, carrying full packs most days. 

  • DAY 7

    Return to vehicles drive to Cooinda. Meet anyone joining for section two. Animal Tracks tour.  Overnight in campground. 

  • DAY 8

    Morning cruise. Bid farewell to anyone doing only section one.  Drive to Twin Falls to begin walk. Carry full pack to first camp.

  • DAY 9-13

    Bush camp carrying full packs every days.

  • DAY 14

    Return to vehicles, drive to Darwin. Drop off at your accommodation late afternoon.


*This itinerary is subject to change
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