KSC2 original
EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
Kakadu Super Circle No. 2
Overview
- Our longest dry season trip in Kakadu.
- Waterfalls, waterfalls and more waterfalls: Koolpin, Twin, Surprise, Graveside, Barramundi.
- You get as far into the back country as is legal to go.
- The trip finishes with a night in accommodation and an East Alligator boat cruise with an Aboriginal guide.
The trip is divided into two sections, either of which can be done on its own.
- Koolpin to Jim Jim: 6-16 June
- Jim Jim to Gunlom: 16-27 June
KAKADU
5-26 June 2022
We begin with the long drive from Darwin to Koolpin Gorge. 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.
Although the gorge is only four kilometres long, it is too good to rush through. We take at least a day to reach the top.
From the top of the gorge we take a short cut across the plain and through the first of two low passes. Just before the second, there is a sudden change in vegetation as we enter a monsoon rainforest.
Our path now takes us toward Twin Falls Creek where we turn and head upstream, bound for one of the most interesting and least known parts of the park. The plateau is a mixture of sandy flats and broken rock outcrops, many of which hide Aboriginal art sites.
As we travel, we notice dramatic changes in the landscape. Small and scrubby vegetation in one location, towering paperbarks in another. Flat plains here and rocky outcrops of all shapes and sizes there.
From Twin Falls Creek, we cross over to the upper reaches of Jim Jim Creek. Every day we find more beautiful pools that seem to demand that we stop for yet another dip.
The walking is relatively easy as we move downstream toward the falls. From the top of Jim Jim Falls, over 200 metres from top to bottom, we enjoy spectacular views down the gorge and across the plains to the distant escarpment on the horizon.
After collecting our food drop, we make our way across to the bottom of the gorge below Twin Falls.
A long walk across the plains and a climb up the escarpment gets us to the views and pools at Surprise Falls.
From there, we continue across the plateau, to the top of Graveside Gorge (Bilkbilkmi) where a double waterfall drops 100 metres into a pool in the gorge below. From Graveside, we move on to Cascades Creek with its beautiful cascades and natural water slide, much too inviting to pass by in a rush.
Next comes the Barramundi system with its many waterfalls. From our final Barramundi camp, a gentle climb over a pass brings us back to Koolpin Creek.
We overlap section one for a short distance to where we leave the creek and rock hop through a series of gullies as we make our way to Freezing Gorge.
Freezing Creek is much smaller than Koolpin but it 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.
A short 30 metre pack float saves us an hour or two of strenuous rock climbing. The final section of the walk down Freezing Creek involves climbing over and scrambling around large boulders. A short walk from the bottom gets us to the vehicle which will bring us to Jabiru for our final night.
Details
DATES
June 6-27
PRICES
Full price: A$4,695
Section 1: A$2595
Section 2: A$3095
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITE
Mix of flat rock ledges, sandy beaches and grassy areas.
ART
We visit a variety of art sites
SWIMMING
There will be beautiful pools for swim stops at every camp, most lunches and at other times every day.
WILDLIFE
Birds are always present but still spread out at this time of year. You are unlikely to see many large animals.
CLIMATE
This is as good as it gets.The average daily maximum is 30-31°C. The average minimum is 15-18°C. Rain is very unlikely but not impossible.
Many people don't bother with a tent fly but we recommend bringing something you can pull over yourself if we do get a fluke rainstorm.
FIRE
We plan to have a campfire every night and will have hot water available every morning.
WALK RATING - MODERATE
Terrain
There are A 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.
There will be some places where you have to step from stone to stone as you walk along the edge of a creek.
The creeks are low enough so that swimming across with packs is unlikely to be necessary. It may, however, be necessary to wade across slippery rocks. Your guide can help if you need assistance.
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.
Distance
4-6 hours per day. A few days will be longer. The first full day of section two is normally the longest of the trip.
Pack Weight
You need to carry food for up to ten days.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
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