EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
Russell's Light Wet Special
Overview
Walk the wonder of the Wet.
Enjoy the spectacular waterfalls and wildflowers by day. Relax in comfortable accommodation five nights, camp next to a secluded bush pool on the other.
Walkabouts owner Russell Willis is so keen to do this trip himself that he's offered an incredible discount.
Two sections, either of which can be done on its own.
- Kakadu to Litchfield - a mix of well known places and others that non-walkers will never get to see.
- Litchfield Weekend. If you don't want to camp, you can join for the final weekend.
Dry season visitors never see anything like this. Every waterfall will be flowing, the landscape will be lush and green. Better still, we should have most of our swimming pools to ourselves.
KAKADU
Feb
24 - Mar 2 2025
Section 1: Kakadu to Litchfield
With maximum temperatures in the mid 30's and nightly minimum temperatures in the mid 20's, our first day will be an easy one to allow the group to acclimatise. We begin with the 300 km drive from Darwin to Kakadu which normally takes three to three and a half hours. We’ll take longer because we’ll be stopping. We spend our first night in accommodation in Jabiru.
Next morning, if we haven;'t already done it, tehre will be a chance to do a scenic flight over Jim Jim and Twin Falls.
We then drive a short distance to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock), one of the most visited places in Kakadu.
We then drive a short distance to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock), one of the most visited places in Kakadu.
Few of those who visit do so at this time of year when the land is lush and green and the billabongs are full. We visit a number of art sites and enjoy some magnificent views out across the surrounding plains.
There are a number of walk possibilities. Which one or ones we do will depend on the weather and the wishes of the group at the time.
From there. we drive to Cooinda where we spend the night before doing the early morning Yellow Waters cruise the next day.
From Cooinda, we drive to the southern part of the park and begin the overnight Motorcar-Kurrundie walk. This walk takes us to the largest of the Kakadu waterfalls which are reasonably accessible at this time of year. We'll camp near Motorcar Creek.
Most of the next day will be given to a long loop walk without packs along motorcar and Kurrundie Creeks. We then collect our packs, return to the vehicles and drive to the small town of Pine Creek where we spend the night in accommodation.
Next morning, we drive to Litchfield, stopping to do an easy walk next to a creek. As always on this trip, there will be plenty of time for swims
Section 2: Litchfield Weekend
Those joining us will drive down from Darwin and meet us in our accommodation.
We spend the Saturday visiting a number of creeks and waterfalls. Water levels permitting, we'll include a magnificent spot where Russell joined the Darwin Bushwalking Club for a pre-Christmas weekend in early December.
On the final day, we return to Darwin, stopping to visit more waterfalls along the way.
Details
DATES
Feb 24 - Mar 2
Sec 1: Feb 24-28
Sec 2: Feb 28 - Mar 2
PRICES
List price: A$20
Same price for either section.
Additional expenses will apply. See PDF trip notes for details.
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITE
Mostly accommodated. Our overnight camps will be on sand, rock ledges or grassy areas depending on water levels at the time.
ART
We visit a variety of art sites
SWIMMING
This is the best time to see the Top End waterfalls. We will have many good where we can safely swim.
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. (This makes it somewhat harder to walk but it also makes the waterfalls more spectacular and keeps it relatively cool.) Occasionally, it may rain very little. This makes it substantially hotter than normal. There will be many opportunities to swim and cool off, but you must be prepared for hot, humid conditions.
COOKING
In spite of the wet weather, we will have a campfire on our overnight walk and hot water available next morning.
WALK RATING - MODERATE
Terrain
Although much of the walking is on marked trails, the overnight walk and some of the others are off-trail. There are some longish sections of rock scrambling and a couple of short but sharp climbs. If you have never done this before, you may find this fairly difficult.
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.
Distance
Generally 4-6 hours, not including breaks. A few days might be longer.
Pack Weight
You need to carry a day pack most of the time and one days food on the overnight walk.
Download detailed trip notesDon't even THINK about booking this trip until you have read these notes.
24 Feb - 2 Mar
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Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
Note. Some of the Litchfield photos show people carrying full packs. We will carry only day packs on those same walks.
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