NYK
EXPERIENCES / KAKADU
New Year in Kakadu
Overview
Anyone who selects this trip should have a spirit of adventure. Those who take part will not know exactly where they are going until shortly before the trip departs. This is because nominating an area too soon would mean that we couldn't guarantee to show them the best that Kakadu and the Top End have to offer at this time of year. The reason for this is the weather.
The exact date of the monsoonal rains which cool the land and fill the creeks cannot be predicted far in advance. The monsoon normally begins around mid December. However, in some years, it begins in late November. In others, it may not arrive until mid January. By delaying our decision, we can be sure of choosing an area where water is plentiful and roads are open.
If the rains have begun, dry season visitors never see anything like this. Every waterfall will be flowing, the landscape will be lush and green. Better still, we'll have every one of our swimming pools to ourselves.
KAKADU
27 Dec 2021 - 2 Jan 2022
The walk we do will probably
be chosen from the following. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to choose a walk not listed in these notes.
Baroalba Creek
Baroalba Creek is the main drainage for Mount Brockman, a large, irregularly shaped massif sitting on the plains a few kilometres away from the edge of the Arnhem escarpment.
While the edges of the massif are extremely rugged and steep, much of the centre consists of a large basin drained by Baroalba Creek. The rugged nature of the approaches prevented buffalo from reaching the basin, making this one of the few completely undisturbed areas in Kakadu. The area is full of rock shelters that were used by Aboriginal people over the millennia.
The best time to visit this area is during or immediately after the green season when every creek is flowing and the waterholes are all full.
Barramundi and Waterfall Creeks
At this time of year, the track to Barramundi/Maguk will almost certainly be closed so this choice requires a walk of about eight km along the track both going in and coming out.
We follow a small creek to the top of the plateau and begin a relatively flat loop walk up Barramundi Valley, stopping to visit a variety of pools and waterfalls along the way. Every camp will have its own pool.
If we choose this option, we may have two nights at one or more camps from which we can do day walks.
Koolpin Creek to Barramundi Creek
This is the most strenuous of our options, a through walk where we need to do a vehicle shuffle to get the vehicle from the drop off to the finish.
The start is at the South Alligator Bridge in southern Kakadu. the finish is where we begin and end the previous option.
As the roads are closed, we won't get to the gorge until sometime on day 2. At this time of year, Koolpin's waterfalls can be spectacular. The pools are perfect for swimming; the views a photographer's delight. Aboriginal art sites tell us that this has been a special place for thousands of years. It's far too nice to rush.
From the top Koolpin Gorge, we walk to a little known waterfall on a side creek, then return to the main valley which leads us to Barramundi Creek. Most of the valley is broad and sandy but there are interesting patches of monsoon forest and nice waterfalls along the way. A short walk through the pass at the top of the valley brings us to the largest pool in the Barramundi system. We walk downstream past more waterfalls and pools, then out to the cars.
Litchfield National Park
Another through walk with a car shuffle.
Located less than 150 kilometres from Darwin, Litchfield National Park is a wonderful area full of permanent springs and waterfalls. Although the northern part of the park has been developed for intensive day use, most of the southern part remains an almost untouched wilderness. Few go anywhere near where we go. Not one in ten thousand goes into the great places where we would do our walk.
If conditions are right, we would do a through walk starting from somewhere near the Lost City and finishing near Tableland Falls at the southern end. At this time of year, the places we visit during the dry season will be at their best.
Details
DATES
Dec 27 - Jan 2
PRICES
Full price: A$1995
*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 may visit a variety of art sites. Depends on final location.
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.
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
COOKING
In spite of the wet weather, we will have campfires every night and hot water available every morning.
WALK RATING - HARD
Terrain
There could be a 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
In all cases, 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 6 days of food.
Unless you have walked in the wet season before, please do not book this trip until you have read our
Wet Season page. This links to two additional pages, just as important if you are to enjoy the trip.
Download detailed trip notes
27 Dec 2021 - 2 Jan 2022
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Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
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