KH07
EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
Kakadu Highlights No. 7
Overview
- Two separate walks in two very different areas.
- The Graveside Plus loop, our only walk to visit part of this area.
- Dinner Creek, where you will visit one of the most amazing geological features in the park.
- A Yellow Waters cruise, a night in a campground and, if available, an Aboriginal cultural tour between sections.
KAKADU
Aug 25 - September 7 2024
1) Graveside Plus
This walk combines a portion of our normal Graveside route, part of our Kakadu Circle route and a gorge which we do not visit on any other trip. You see a variety of landscapes, deep gorges, beautiful swimming pools and cascades as well as a number of little known Aboriginal art sites.
The drive from Darwin to the start of the walk is over 300 kilometres, including about 45 kilometres on a 4WD track, so rough that it can take over two hours on its own. A relatively flat walk of about 5 km brings us to our first camp. We stay here for two nights.
The two main gorges at Graveside contain some of the nicest monsoon forest in Kakadu. We plan spend the second day exploring the gorges, enjoying the shade and relaxing in and around the large pools. There is lots of wading so be prepared to get wet.
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.
From here, a flat three km walk through the open woodland of the plateau brings us to Cascades Creek.
The walk down the four km gorge is a slow one. 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. On many trips, some people choose to swim while others choose to climb.
The pools and art sites are too nice to pass by, so stops are frequent as we make our way down to the cascades for which the creek is named. The last 500 metres often takes two hours or more as the deep pools and a natural water slide are much too inviting to rush past.
We now move across to Gronophylum Creek with its unusual multi-trunked palms, beautiful, sandy camp sites and deep, clear pools. The rugged landscape away from the creek is reminiscent of central Australia with its red rock and spinifex covered hills.
A relatively flat walk on the final full day brings us down the main valley to our final campsite. A short walk the next morning gets us back to the vehicle. We then drive out to Cooinda where we check into the campground and meet those who are joining the trip for the second section.
Following the creek, you might walk three kilometres in an hour. Following a straight-line compass bearing, the landscape is such a jumble of broken rock that three kilometres might take you three days. We’ll stick to the creek, find a nice camp site and do a day walk up to Gronophylum Gorge and Falls.
A relatively flat walk on the final full day brings us down the main valley to our final campsite. A short walk the next morning gets us back to the vehicle. We then drive out to Cooinda where we check into the campground and meet those who are joining the trip for the second section.
The Animal Tracks tour begins at 1 PM and goes late. Includes dinner.
2) Dinner Creek
This section includes the Animal Tracks tour, night in the cmpground and the Yellow Waters cruise.
After the early morning cruise, we drive to Dinner Creek. The drive is more than 100 km, about half of which is on a gravel road. Once parked, we have the choice of a five km walk along an old 4WD track or a somewhat longer but shadier walk along the South Alligator River.
Dinner Creek is one of the few areas in Kakadu where it is possible to do interesting one-day loop walks. One of these loops will bring us to a high point from which we get some excellent views. The other brings us to one of the most interesting geological features in Kakadu, for some, a truly special place. No photo can possibly do it justice, which is why we do not publish one, either in our trip notes or on our website.
Details
DATES
25 August - 7 SeptemberPRICES
Full price: A$4495
Section 1: $3495
Section 2: $2195
*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 other than 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 32-34ºC (90-94ºF). If we get a spell of relatively dry weather, the temperature could reach 40ºC (104ºF). The average minimum is 17-19ºC (63-66ºF). It can occasionally drop as low as 10ºC (50ºF) Sleeping bags are essential. Rain is very unlikely but we recommend bringing something just in case.
COOKING
We will have campfires every night and hot water available every morning.
WALK RATING - MODERATE
Terrain
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 9 days of food on section 1; 3 days food on section 2.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
2019 All rights Reserved