Kakadu NVC Walk
Maguk- Gunlom

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Overview

Two separate walks in two very different areas.
Barramundi Creek with its many waterfalls, closed to the general public, open to keen bushwalkers.
Baroalba Creek, one of the most amazing landscapes in the park.

Dry season visitors never see anything like this. Every waterfall will be flowing, the landscape will be lush and green. Better still, we'll have every one of our swimming pools to ourselves.

KAKADU

Aug 28- Sep 6

2020

We begin with a fairly long drive from Darwin to the Maguk track in Kakadu. There we park our vehicles and begin the trek, first along the track, then on our wet season bushwalking route that takes us above the falls without having to cross the creek.

Once past the first gorge, the valley opens out as we work our way past the many stunning waterfalls. This area is stunning at any time of the year. In the wet season it is particularly special.

We return to the cars and drive to Cooinda for a relaxing night. Included is a night in a lodge room, a pub meal and a Yellow Waters cruise. The cruise allows you to experience the wetlands in a way that is not possible on foot.

Next we drive to the Gubara track, park the cars and walk about 3 km along a marked trail to the start of our walk up Baroalba Creek.

Later in the season the creek will dry to a series of small pools. But, at this time of year, every little waterfall will be flowing at its best.

Now comes the easiest part of the trip. We camp here for two or even three nights, exploring the basin above with day packs. Here we find an incredible concentration of art sites as well as quarries containing the remains of discarded stone tools that didn't make the grade.

Much of the area is very flat. Sometimes it is very wet, sometimes it is relatively dry — relatively. This is still the wet season so water is everywhere.

Sometimes we walk on flat rock ledges and sometimes we do some fairly steep climbs. The views are magnificent.

At camp, our group fly keeps us dry if it rains at dinner time. During the day, we can sit out a passing storm in one of the many rock shelters just as the original inhabitants of the area did for thousands of years.

At the end of the week, we return to the vehicles the way we came and begin the long drive back to Darwin.

Details

DATES

Feb 9-22

PRICES

Full price: A$2495

*discounts available

GROUP SIZE

4 - 12 guests

CAMP SITE

Mix of sand and rock ledges. Most sites are good to excellent but we have to avoid some of our dry season campsites which could get flooded. You are unlikely to see anyone else anywhere along the route.

ART

We visit a variety of art sites

SWIMMING

This is the best time to see Kakadu’s waterfalls. 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 33-34ºC (91-94ºF). If we get a spell of relatively dry weather, the temperature could reach 40ºC (104ºF). The average minimum is 24ºC (75ºF). Sleeping bags are not needed. Rain is almost certain. On average it will rain two days out of three, mostly in short, sharp bursts. Averages can, however, be misleading. Occasionally, it might rain for days at a time

COOKING

In spite of the wet weather, we will have campfires every night and hot water available every morning.

WALK RATING - HARD

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.

Distance

4-6 hours per day

Pack Weight

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

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Download detailed trip notes

Feb 9-22

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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. Afternoon cruise.
DAY 8

Possible morning cruise before driving to Baroalba to begin walk. Carru full pack to first camp.
DAY 9-13

Bush camp carrying full packs some days, day packs others.
DAY 14

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