Most scenic/best campsites in Kakadu?
Submitted: Monday, Apr 29, 2013 at 22:25
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Carolyn R2
Hi all,
we expect to arrive in
Kakadu in around a week's time. We have a camper trailer, and the option of using a tent instead, although we would still need enough space to park the car and trailer.
Given the time of year (eg I know
Jim Jim Falls and
Twin Falls areas will still be inaccessible, which campsites would you recommend, for scenery, variety, privacy etc.
We have three
young kids so will be being pretty cautious re crocs, and expect to have 4 nights in
Kakadu overall.
I know there is some free/
bush camping, but is this only for tents? We prefer beautiful scenery and not being crammed in with 1000s over having access to facilities.
Thanks for any insights!
Carolyn
Reply By: Member - Serendipity(WA) - Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 at 11:22
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 at 11:22
Hi Carolyn
If you are entering
Kakadu from
Pine Creek then you will come across Moline
Rock hole just about 3km from the
bridge before you get to the
Ranger's hut. Small
campsite that doesn't get a lot of visitors and you can swim there. Bit of a rough track but only 2km about off the road.
Next would be
Barramundi Gorge or they call it Maguk nowadays. We found not many
camp at this site but it is nice enough
campsite. The falls are awesome especially if you take the track to the top. You can swim at the top. We had our kids there from about grade 1 onwards. When you take the track up to
the gorge at one stage you need to cross the creek. Don't cross, just look up the
hill for the track going to the top.
After that
Sandy Billabong which is 4x4 access and doesn't get a lot of people. No you can't swim there and should
camp away from the water's edge but a peaceful spot. (tourist taken there a few years back swimming at night). Turn into the Muirella park
camping area and go through out the back to
sandy billabong.
Jim Jim
campsite might be open by now. It does get busy with lots of tourist and tour groups playing their didgeridoos till late but the falls are great to see.
Hope that gives you some ideas.
Cheers
Serendipity
AnswerID:
510035
Reply By: Tjukayirla Roadhouse - Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 at 11:36
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 at 11:36
one of the best spots, without doubt is Koolpin
gorge (Jarrangbarnmi) beautiful spot, and
well off the beaten tourist track.
It's a bit of a muck around to get access, as you need to download and fax a form to the parks mob for a permit, but, that also helps keep the numbers down, which is good.
It is a special area of
Kakadu, and was one of my favourite spots to take tourists when I was a Tour guide in the Top End.
Failing that, yes, Maguk is another favourite of
mine. As is Gunlom, which does get a bit busy at times, but great camping and great walks, and great swimming holes.
AnswerID:
510036
Follow Up By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 at 14:45
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 at 14:45
Agree with Al. We stayed at Koolpin
Gorge in 06 and there was only 3 other vehicles there. Fun getting in and we had to get the key from the
Mary River RH. Had tried to get permits for the other permit only areas but only got Koolpin.
The walk up
the gorge to the falls was a minor challenge,
rock hopping and wading, but
well worth it.
FollowupID:
788086
Reply By: DaveO*ST-R - Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 at 20:11
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 at 20:11
Haven't been to
Kakadu for some time, but one of our favourite spots was Gunlom (AKA Waterfall Creek) A beautiful spot about 25 k's in from the
Kakadu Highway. Heaps to see and do.
Gunlom
Dave
AnswerID:
510059
Reply By: Motherhen - Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 at 21:08
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 at 21:08
Hi Carolyn
We stayed one or two nights at each as we moved through, taking day trips to the main
places. Firstly Gunlom, then an unserviced one at Gungural, followed by Mardugal (near Cooinda), Muirella, and Merl (bad for mosquitoes). Merl was the only one hard to get a spot for a big rig, but would be no trouble for a camper trailer - it is a big
campground.
Although the parks campgrounds were mostly similar, Mardugal was my favourite. It was also surprisingly quiet - I think most people opted for powered site at nearby Cooinda which seemed fairly crowded.
You can see more on My
Blogs 2009.
AnswerID:
510065
Reply By: Peterpan - Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 at 21:35
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2013 at 21:35
Hi. I enjoyed camping in 05 and 06 at Merle
campground with showers and
toilets near Border Store just before Ubirr. Plenty of room for a trailer or tent.
The rock art and escarpement tour with the rangers at sunset was very good. Doug Neville a aboriginal
ranger there then was very helpfull. Enjoy your trip.
AnswerID:
510067
Reply By: Carolyn R2 - Wednesday, May 08, 2013 at 07:39
Wednesday, May 08, 2013 at 07:39
Thanks guys. Sadly most if those
places are still closed. Luckily ubirr is open so we will probably vase ourselves near there for a couple of days (merl?) and hope that gunlom or maguk opens by the end of the week though that seems unlikely.
AnswerID:
510559
Follow Up By: Aussi Traveller - Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 13:00
Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 13:00
I just looked up the
Kakadu road report and Gunlom opened today.
Kakadu road report
Phil
FollowupID:
788898
Reply By: Carolyn R2 - Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 10:51
Saturday, May 11, 2013 at 10:51
Just a follow up to all this to let you know we ended up staying at
Kakadu Lodge and were very happy. IT maybe different in peak season, but only about 1/5 of the campsites were used, so we had lots of shade and lots of space.
The pool was a lifesaver in the heat (normally I would choose
bush camping over a caravan park, and Merl looked quite nice with heaps of space, but with three kids,
the pool won us over!). Cost was $38 per family for a powered site.
AnswerID:
510785