KH06-2024
EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
Kakadu Highlights No. 6
Overview
- This is section two of the original two week trip. Section one will not run this year.
- A night in Jabiru and an East Alligator River cruise on the final morning.
- This walk takes us into the greatest concentration of permanently flowing creeks we have yet found in Kakadu. You see a variety of landscapes, deep gorges, beautiful swimming pools and cascades as well as a number of little known Aboriginal art sites.
KAKADU
Jul 14-28
2024
We leave Darwin early for the long drive to the start of the walk. The last 44 km is on a rough 4WD track which normally takes us 2½ hours on its own.
From there we walk, off-track to our first campsite where we plan to spend two nights.
We spend the next day exploring the two main gorges, enjoying the shade and relaxing in and around the large pools.
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 often down to a trickle but there are still plenty of pools where we can cool off and relax in the midday heat.
From here, a flat three kilometre walk through the open woodland of the plateau brings us to Cascades Creek., well known among local bushwalkers for its many pools, cascades and Aboriginal art sites.
Cascades Creek is so enjoyable that our trip up or down the four kilometre gorge normally takes a full day. Or, sometimes we camp part way along.
There are a few places where you have the choice of edging along narrow rock ledges (close to water level, no big drops), floating your pack through the creek, or climbing up and around.
The last 500 metres alone often takes two hours or more as the deep pools and a natural water slide are much too inviting to pass by in a rush.
The return to the car follows the main creek through open woodland tall paperbarks back to where we began. We camp near one final pool, leaving us only a short walk on the final morning.
We then drive to Cooinda where we visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre before driving to Jabiru for a final night in accommodation. On the final morning we do the Guluyambi cruise on the East Alligator River before returning to Darwin.
Details
DATES
14-28 July PRICES
Full price: 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 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 Guluyambi cruise
gives you a good chance to see large estuarine 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.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change.
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