Kakadu wetlands

Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 10:14
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I am off to Kakadu at the end of the month, we are hiring a 4x4 camper home.
We want to do a wetlands cruise, but as its near the end of the dry season I want to know if I am wasting my time and money. We both have seen plenty of saltwater crocs, its the other wild life we are interested in.
Can you also tell me what places to visit there (and around).
Thanks
Wato
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Reply By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 15:29

Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 15:29
Hi Wato

Yes, the Yellow Waters cruise will still be good. Click on My Blogs and look for Kakadu blogs in 2009 for a range of what to see and do. Jimjim Falls and Twin Falls would probablt not be accessible for your camper, but everything we saw would be.
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Follow Up By: wato35 - Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 15:57

Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 15:57
The 4x4 I am getting is a Hilux with the sleeping cabin above the roof. Then the whole roof pops up.
Do you think this is too big for Jim Jim and Twin Falls?
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 16:28

Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 16:28
That sounds fine Wato. We got in with a long wheel base F250, but it was very tight in some places. The falls won't be running, but they aren't by the time the water is off the road in anyway.

Mh
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Follow Up By: Member - lyndon NT - Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 10:47

Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 10:47
Not always the case Motherhen. We were at Jim Jim in 2008, one of the most amazing things, swimming across to the falls whist they were still running. Water was freezing until I stood under the falls, warm coming of the plateau. The bottom pool was enormous!

cheers

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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 11:52

Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 11:52
Hi Lynton

I'd love to see that - do you have any photos you can post here? What month was it in 2008? We ran out of time to get there in 2008 so went in 2009.

Mh
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Follow Up By: Member - lyndon NT - Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 11:55

Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 11:55
They must have opened it early, June or July, can't quite remember, road was mushy.
Will have a dig around for pic's.

Cheers

Lyndon

PS. I think they could open it most years when it is still flowing a little but choose not to, frustrating!
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Reply By: Member - Rick P (NT) - Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 16:51

Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 16:51
Hi Wato
There will be plenty to see and do, go to the park HQ in Jabiru and get all the latest info.
If you can, do the late afternoon or early morning Yellow Water cruise because it's starting to get pretty warm out there.
Enjoy
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Reply By: Member - Boobook - Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 18:48

Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 18:48
kakadont is my advice at this time of year.

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Follow Up By: Tjukayirla Roadhouse - Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 18:56

Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 18:56
ooh can of worms material... :-)
anyone who calls it "kakadont" has never really experienced the place properly.
There'll be plenty to see and do, and yes, the cruises will still be more than worth the money and time to do, Especially sunset cruise, and not because of weather, but because that's when you see most of the birdlife etc and is spectacular.
If you don't do Yellow Waters, do the Mary river cruise.

Cheers
Al
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Follow Up By: Burnt Damper - Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 22:37

Wednesday, Aug 21, 2013 at 22:37
Boobook, if you haven't got a positive thing to say maybe you should keep it shut.
Not everyone wants to go around in a 200 series Landcrusier and a Tvan that both have enough problems of their own through the Canning route, but we keep that to ourselves.
Kakadu is beautiful anytime, sometimes better than others. It might be worth your while if you have time to drop in at Corroboree Billabong, it's well worth a visit.
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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Aug 22, 2013 at 06:05

Thursday, Aug 22, 2013 at 06:05
What is your problem Burnt Damper?

Sorry to have an opinion that differs to yours. But personally I would not go back at that time of year. The waterfalls are dry and it is a generally disappointing place. Totally over hyped.

What the hell has my vehicle and camper going through the canning route got to do with this? You are just a fool.



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Follow Up By: Member - lyndon NT - Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 10:53

Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 10:53
"kakadont" = Garbage.

Why people don't like Kakadu.
1.) Don't allow enough time. (if you have a boat you could spend months there)
2.) To lazy to walk very far
3.) To fat to walk very far
4.) To old to walk very far
5.) Don't take a 4x4 and therefor can't see a great deal
6.) Like to be entertained, i.e can't occupy themselves
etc etc
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Follow Up By: get outmore - Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 12:04

Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 12:04
I understood the whole kakadont thing was coined by locals when the national park restrictions were introduced and the subsequent extensions
Prior to that it was considerd a good place to go for buffalo shooting. Baramundi netting and camping/going where you liked
I can sort of see their point but doesnt mean its not worth visiting
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Reply By: WayneD - Friday, Aug 23, 2013 at 00:42

Friday, Aug 23, 2013 at 00:42
My daughter lives in Darwin and said it was sticking hot this week. 39 degrees and high humidity. We did the Yellow Waters cruise back in Oct 2010 and that was my second time and I still enjoyed it.
Just used the pool at the campsite to cool off and drink XXXX
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Follow Up By: Member - lyndon NT - Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 10:57

Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 10:57
Umm, I to live in Darwin. It never gets to 39c at any time of the year.
Weather is about to change but sill beautiful, as I sit here writing this in my shorts and thongs by the beach :-)
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Follow Up By: Aussi Traveller - Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 18:30

Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 18:30
Umm lyndon I just had a look on the weather forcast for Jabiru and guess what ?? It wasn't 39 but dam close Tuesday 20th August 38.1
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Follow Up By: get outmore - Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 18:34

Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 18:34
jabaru isnt darwin

it hasnt topped 35 in darwin this month and 39 is the hottest temp recorded in darwin..... ever
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Follow Up By: Aussi Traveller - Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 19:57

Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 19:57
get out more the original post was about KAKADU, and the last time I was there Jabiru was in Kakadu and Darwin was 250 km away.
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Reply By: Member - lyndon NT - Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 11:14

Saturday, Aug 24, 2013 at 11:14
Hi wato35

It wont be a waste of time. Maybe not the absolute best timing but not a waste of time. Yellow waters is actually better later in the dry as the birds are attracted to this large body of water as the smaller pools all dry out.
We had a poor wet last year and it is late in the dry, so many things wont be at there best.
Your vehicle will be fine to go anywhere you are allowed to.
I would phone the rangers and ask the following specifics

Is Gunlom falls still flowing and is the water at the top still fresh to swim in. If yes, camp there two nights. Has toilets and showers. (no power)

Is the water at the top of Twin Falls still fresh enough to swim in (you can't drink it)
If yes, and you are FIT (I don't know your age etc). Do the walk to the top of the plateau (top of the falls) and wear something you can swim in, or just swim naked. You will have the whole place to yourself (I can just about guarantee it).
Last time I was there the pool was aprox 10 times the size of and Olympic swimming pool! If doing this walk, take plenty of water, your lunch and leave just BEFORE sunrise.
It is a HARD 1.5 hours each way. BUT WELL WORTH IT.
You would leave from the same campsite as you would to see Jim Jim, and no, you can't do both on the same day.
There is a boat cruise up to twin falls, not my thing so cant really advise. Used to be able to swim it when I was a young fella, to many croc's now.

Well my fingers are worn out, if you won't more info give me a call.

Cheers

Lyndon
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Jim Jim will be dry but you can camp a short drive and still go in and have a look.
Now is the only time you own
Decide now what you will,
Place faith not in tomorrow
For the clock may then be still

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