KH06
EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
Kakadu Highlights No. 6
Overview
- Two separate walks in two very different areas.
- Jim Jim and Twin -- the two largest waterfalls in the park.
- Graveside area with its deep gorges and permanent pools.
- A night in a n Aboriginal run safari camp plus a short cultural tour between sections.
- A night in Jabiru and an East Alligator River cruise on the final morning.
KAKADU
Jul 14-28
2024
1) Jim Jim - Twin Falls Loop
From Cooinda, we drive to the Jim Jim car park, put on our packs and head cross country to Twin Falls. We follow a marked trail to the top where we can relax and enjoy the views.
We now spend a day, possibly two, exploring the 7 km upper Twin Gorge, camping near the Amphitheatre Falls.
From here, we begin our trek
to the top of Anbadgoran or the Rainforest Gorge. Although it is much smaller than nearby Jim Jim and Twin Falls Creeks, the creek which created this gorge continues to flow long after its more famous neighbours have stopped.
The walk to Anbadgoran takes us through some very rugged country, so rugged that no two groups have taken the exact same route. Some camp along the way, some do the full distance. Anbadgoran is so pretty that, time permitting, we might spend two nights.
The route from Anbadgoran to Jim Jim Creek is relatively flat and easy so we normally get to Jim Jim Creek n time for lunch. We spend the rest of the day exploring the area above the falls.
On the final morning, we follow the marked trail to the bottom of Jim Jim where we meet the pick up vehicles and drive to the Aboriginal owned Kakadu Billabong Safari Camp where we do a short cultural tour before spending the night there.
2) Graveside
We drive to Cooinda to pick up or drop off anyone doing a single section. We then drive about 2½ hours to Graveside Gorge where we begin our walk into the greatest concentration of permanently flowing creeks we have yet found in Kakadu.
You see a variety of landscapes, deep gorges, beautiful swimming pools and cascades as well as a number of little known Aboriginal art sites. Our first camp is about a 5 km walk from the car park.
The two main gorges at Graveside contain some of the nicest monsoon forest in Kakadu. We usually spend most of a day exploring the gorges, enjoying the shade and relaxing in and around the large pools.
Next day, we climb to the top of the platau and head across to Cascades Creek where we find many pools, cascades and Aboriginal art sites. It is so pleasant that our trip up or down the four kilometre gorge normally takes a full day.
The last 500 metres alone often takes two hours or more as the deep pools and a natural water slide are much too inviting to pass by in a rush.
The return to the car follows the main creek through open woodland tall paperbarks basck to where we began.
We then drive to Cooinda where we visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre before driving to Jabiru for a final night in accommodation. On the final morning we do the Guluyambi cruise on the East Alligator River before returning to Darwin.
Details
DATES
14-28 July Section 1: 14-21 July
Section 2: 21-28
PRICES
Full price: A$4695
Section 1 : $2795
Section 2: $2695
*discounts available
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITE
Mix of sand and rock ledges. Most sites are good to excellent.You are unlikely to see anyone else e3xcept at the beginning and end of the walks.
ART
We visit a variety of art sites
SWIMMING
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 30-31ºC (86-88ºF). The average minimum is 16-18ºC (61-64ºF). It can go as low as 10ºC (50ºF). On rare occasions, it can go even lower. Sleeping bags are essential. Rain is very unlikely but we recommend bringing something to use as a shelter if we fluke a rain storm.
COOKING
We will have campfires every night and hot water available every morning.
WALK RATING - MODERATE
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. 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. At this time of year, the spear grass has finished seeding and dried out.
Distance
4-6 hours per day
Pack Weight
You need to carry 6 days of food on each section.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
The first 8 photos below are from section one. The last seven from section two.
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