NE-Gregory-Judbarra
EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
NE Gregory/Judbarra National Park
Overview
Created for two people who got locked out of an earlier trip, this will be our first wet season trip to this amazing area. Deep gorges and pools, creeks that will all be flowing at their best. The drive to the start is so long that we spend the first night in accommodation so we can have an early start the next morning.
TOP END
March 15-22 2021
Judbarra/Gregory
is one of the largest yet least known national parks in the NT. It lies about halfway between Katherine and Kununurra and contains several creek systems where large permanent pools and shady rock shelters can be found in the depths of sheer, red-walled gorges.
We plan to do a loop along Matt Wilson and Ryan Creeks in the northeast section of the park. This area contains some of the most spectacular cliffs in the park. As it is inaccessible to 4WD vehicles, it remains unknown to all but a few hardy bushwalkers.
With river levels high, we leave our vehicle at the Victoria River Roadhouse, walk back across the river and head into the bush.
The terrain here is different to the parks closer to Darwin. There are lots of boabs. In 2019, the group saw numerous freshwater crocs. Somehow they have coped with cane toads better here than in Kakadu or Litchfield. While they are crocodiles, unless you actively provoke them, they are harmless.
As we work our way up the valley, we sometimes drop our packs and do an exploration of a side gorge.
Eventually, we climb up out of the Matt Wilson Valley and cross the plateau heading west toward Ryan Creek. We find a number of high, shallow gorges on the small creeks that feed into Ryan Creek.
Some of the walking is fairly easy. Some has thick scrub and is quite slow. Gregory is normally much drier than Kakadu or Litchfield but this has been a good wet season wo we should find plenty of waterholes on the small creeks as well as a variety of waterfalls.
Once we reach the main creek, the going gets easier and the views more spectacular. As we continue the gorges get deeper. Walking on the top is fairly easy but some of the side gorges are deep enough so that we have to drop down to the main creek or contour well around. There isn’t a lot of difficult terrain, but as the middle photo below shows, there is some.
Eventually, we return to where we began, climb into the vehicle and begin the 530 km drive back to Darwin. (Some groups prefer to finish on the second last day and camp en route to Darwin.)
Details
DATES
15-22 MarchPRICES
Full price: A$1595
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
Minimal.
SWIMMING
Good swims in the smaller pools but some of the larger pools could contain large crocs. Ask your guide before swimming in the larger pools.
WILDLIFE
Birds are always present but spread out at this time of year. Gregory is excellent for freshwater crocs and agile wallabies. The 2019 group saw many great bower birds. You are unlikely to see many other large animals.
CLIMATE
Average daytime max 35ºC, average nighttime min 23-24ºC. It can, however, drop below 18ºC. Rain is probable and can be quite heavy. You need a shelter, preferably a breathable one.
COOKING
Except in campgrounds, we should have campfires every night and hot water available every morning.
WALK RATING - MODERATE
Terrain
The walk along Matt Wilson Creek is relatively flat and easy as is the lower portion of Ryan Creek. In between there are a few steep climbs and a fair amount of rock hopping. The amount of scrub varies depending on the recent history of bushfires and rainfall.
Vegetation
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 6 days food. You need a tent but shouldn't need a sleeping bag.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
You need to click view more to see all the photos in the gallery below. This will be our first wet season trip so they were all taken in the early Dry.
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