EXPERIENCES / KIMBERLEY
Middle Isdell River
Overview
- The only ground tour anyone offers that takes you to Jim Jim Falls in the wet season.
- The only way to see many wonderful creeks, gorges and Aboriginal art sites hidden deep within the heart of Kakadu.
- Our most strenuous Kakadu expedition . It will be hot and humid but you can always cool off with a swim.
Our walk begins in southern Kakadu and takes us through spectacular Koolpin Gorge with its many waterfalls and Aboriginal art sites. From Koolpin we cross a plain and walk through two low passes. Just before the second, there is a sudden change in vegetation as we enter a monsoon rainforest. Generally restricted to small gorges such as the one through which we are passing, these forests offer deep shade and a flora totally different to that of the open plains.
KIMBERLEY
July 12- Aug 2 2020
Next comes Twin Falls Creek where we head upstream into a mixture of sandy flats, paperbark forest and broken rock outcrops, many of which hide major Aboriginal art sites. Picture yourself sitting in a rock shelter, studying the art then turning around to watch the rain come down, imagining how it must have been for those who called this region home for so many thousands of years.
From Twin Falls Creek, we cross over to the upper reaches of Jim Jim Creek and head for Jim Jim Falls, the highest waterfall in Kakadu. With the creek in flood, the view from the top is awesome. From Jim Jim, we move to the Amphitheatre Falls on Twin Falls Creek, another truly specatcular sight.
We then cross the plateau to the top of Graveside Gorge where a twin waterfall drops 100 metres into a pool in the gorge below passing through the largest patch of open country rainforest in the park on the way. Next comes Cascades Creek (photos at the beginning of this page) where a series of pools and drops can turn into a single mass of white water after a storm.
More crossing between watersheds brings us to Barramundi Creek with its many waterfalls. We follow Barramundi downstream and return to the main road along a 4WD track, closed to vehicles for the season. The trip finishes with a night at the Cooinda resort and a morning wetlands cruise allowing you to experience a very different environment, where the isolated billabongs of the dry season expand to cover something like 1000 square km.
Details
DATES
Jan 6-26
Jan 6 - Feb 2
PRICES
Full price: A$4,195
*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
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
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 10 - 11 days of food.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
