Russell's Light Wet Special

Overview - DETAILS - ITINERARY - GALLERY - MAP/VIDEO

Overview

Walk the wonder of Kakadu and the Top End in the Wet.
Enjoy the spectacular waterfalls and wildflowers by day.
Relax in comfortable accommodation most nights, camp next to secluded bush pools after short walks on the others.

Walkabouts owner Russell Willis created this itinerary to include the things he enjoys most on a wet season trip.

In addition to well known places like Kakadu, and Katherine Gorge we will visit lesser known but equally beautiful places that will remain forever off the tourist track.

KAKADU

12-21 March 2021

Our first day is a leisurely one. We leave Darwin in the afternoon and spend the night at the Emerald Springs roadhouse.

A short drive the next morning brings us to Depot Creek, a little known gem which Russell loves so much that he has to make at least one visit every year. If the weather is good, a short walk will bring us to a campsite next to our own private pool.

The next day, we drive south to Katherine, stopping to visit Edith Falls where we do a walk to another beautiful, perfect for swimming.

After a night in Katherine, we drive to Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) where we hope to get a helicopter to drop us off in an area normally closed to hikers at this time of year. We'll spend the rest of the day trekking along the gorge back to where we began.

From Katherine we head north to Kakadu where we do the late afternoon and early morning cruises.

After the second cruise, we drive to Burrunkuy (Nourlangie Rock) where we do the 12 km Barrk walk, the longest marked trail in Kakadu.

From Kakadu, we drive to Litchfield, stopping to visit a few other interesting places along the way.

During the dry season, every accesible waterfall and pool is full of people. At this, more spectacular, time of year, we will have most of the places to ourselves.

We will spend our final night somewhere in accommodation somewhere near Litchfield.

Details

DATES

12-21 March

PRICES

List price: A$1895

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 two of the three main art sites in Kakadu.

SWIMMING

This is the best time to enjoy the many wonderful pools and waterfalls as they begin to dry out soon after the wet season ends.

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 38ºC (100ºF). 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

We plan to have a cooking fire on the nights we camp. Hot water will be available in the morning.

WALK RATING EASY TO MODERATE

Terrain

Most of the walking is on marked trails. Most is fairly flat.

Vegetation

Most of the walking is through relatively flat, open woodland with a grassy understorey.

Distance

4-6 hours most dys. Some shorter, two longer.

Pack Weight

You need to carry 1 night's food on two occasions. The rest of the trip is day pack only.

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March 12-21

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Itinerary

Day 0

As we won't be leaving until the afternoon, we won't have our normal pre-trip meeting.
Day 1

Afternoon pick up from wherever you are staying. Drive to Emerald Springs. Overnight in accommodation.
Day 2

Day walk at Depot Creek. Weather permitting, we'll camp next to the creek, a relatively sjhort distance from the car.
Day 3

Drive to Katherine. Day walk above Edith Falls on the way.
Day 4

Long walk at Katherine Gorge, hopefully with a helicopter drop off.
Day 5

Drive to Kakadu. Short walk on the way. Afternoon Yellow Waters cruise.
Day 6

Erly morning Yellow Waters cruise followed by the Barrk walk at Burrunkuy (Nourlangie Rock). Overnigh in Jabiru.
Day 7

Optional scenic flight over Jim Jim & Twin. Slow drive back toward the Stuart Highway. Stops along the way.
Day 8

Continue toward Litchfield, more short walks on the way.
Day 9

Visit Litchfield waterfalls and cascades. Accommodation near park.
Day 10

Last swim somewhere before returning to Darwin.