Twin to Jim Jim
EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
Twin to Jim Jim
Overview
- Our longest walk without a food drop trip in Kakadu.
- Swims, swims and more swims. Beautiful pools and campsites you share with no one but your walking companions.
- You get as far into the back country as is legal to go.
- There is an option to extend the trip by a day and finish with a night on a houseboat on the Mary River.
KAKADU
7-20 or 21 July 2024
We begin with the long drive from Darwin to Twin Falls. The drive takes most of the day but we should have plenty of time to walk to a campsite above the falls.
After a look around the top of Twin Falls, we put on our packs and leave all signs of civilisation behind as we make our way upstream, exploring and enjoying the shady rock ledges, sandy beaches and cool pools that we find in the seven kilometre long upper gorge which ends at the beautiful Amphitheatre Falls. An abundance of good campsites means that we can stop whenever we choose.
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. Many of the outcrops hide major Aboriginal art sites. Some shelters contain only a few paintings, others contain dozens. No group can possibly visit them all but all groups visit a good selection.
And, of course, there are the swims. Every day we find beautiful pools that seem to demand we stop for yet another dip.
From Twin Falls Creek, we cross over to the upper reaches of Jim Jim Creek. At this time of year we can avoid some extremely rocky and scrubby country by walking up the dry creek beds or taking a short cut around the entire area.
We reach Jim Jim Creek and the first of many inviting pools about two and a half days upstream from the falls. The walk along Jim Jim Creek is generally flat and easy, with numerous stops for swims and visits to Aboriginal art sites.
Jim Jim Falls is the highest in Kakadu, 200 metres overall with a final sheer drop of 160 metres. The view from the top is spectacular.
If we are moving quickly, we may cross over and visit the top of Anbadgoran, the nearby rainforest gorge. Some groups do a day walk to and from the gorge, some walk through it, some give it a miss. The guide will make the decision based on how fast the group is travelling and what the group members wish to do.
We return the vehicles and return to Darwin, of if we are doing the extension, we drive to the Mary River where we enjoy the most comfortable wetland experience we can offer – a day and night aboard a houseboat before returning to Darwin.
Details
DATES
July 7-20 or
July 7-21
PRICES
Full price: A$3895
or A$3995 if you add the extra night.
The cost of the houseboat on the long version is not included. See the PDF notes for details.
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITES
Mix of sand and rock ledges. Most sites are excellent. You are unlikely to see anyone else at most of the campsites.
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.
Click to see a birdlist from one of our Twin to Jim Jim trips. The houseboat would give you a good chance to see large estuarine crocodiles from a safe distance.
CLIMATE
Although July is one of the two coolest months of the year, the maximum temperature on most days will still average 30-31ºC. Although the average nightly minimum is about 16-18ºC (65ºF), it is not uncommon for the temperature to drop as low as 10ºC (50ºF). Occasionally it goes lower still. Sleeping bags are essential. Rain is highly unlikely but possible.
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
Overall the terrain on this trip is among the flattest on any of our trips. There are, however, 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 through waist deep water. 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.
Pack Weight
You need to carry food for two weeks. This is why we have to rate the trip as 'moderate+' instead of just 'moderate'.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
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