Roads closed plus Kakadu or Kakadont
Submitted: Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 09:35
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Member - Stuart and Gunny
Hi all
Gunny and i were going across to the
Flinders Ranges for a week then up to
Marree and across to
Marla via the
Oodnadatta track.Checking out
Lake Eyre and different ruins/sights along the way.When they close roads around the area ,how long do they remain closed for based on current rain fall and how badly damaged do they get?I assume by the time we get to
Kakadu all there roads should be open.I have had a few people comment to me that
Kakadu is not the same as when i visited 25 yrs ago.They say that the locals have made it unpleasant by charging money for everything.plus restrictions and they would not go there again.A few travellers have referred to it as Kakadont.Is this the case or just sour grapes by a few?One last thing i have tried to get in contact with Rhett at Lorrella Springs via the phone number in camps 7 book to be told the number is not connected.Does anyone know if you can still
camp there and what are the roads like now,I know through experience that the 30-40 klm into his place was bad 2 yrs ago but what about the rest?
Thanks all
Stuart and Gunny
Reply By: Steve in Kakadu - Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 17:08
Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 17:08
The Director on national parks has injected $6 million into
Kakadu with much of the
infrastructure getting a revamp, there is also a $2 million dollar signage project underway with everyone of the 1600 signs being replaced.
There has been some slight delays with some opening due to some late rain, however most
places should be open by the second week of June.
The entry fee is now $40 per adult, $30 for seniors, $100 for a family of 6.
I guess the question is where are you leaving the dog when you visit ?
AnswerID:
600101
Follow Up By: Member - Stuart and Gunny - Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 18:01
Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 18:01
Hi Steve
I have a medical certificate stating that Gunny is a companion/comfort dog.When i rang the people at
Kakadu they said just pop in with the medical certificate they will photocopy it and all is fine.Every state of Aust the same applies.
Thanks
Stuart and Gunny
FollowupID:
869402
Follow Up By: Member - Stuart and Gunny - Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 18:30
Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 18:30
Hi Steve
I forgot to ask ,the entry fee,how long does that allow you to stay or is that just for the day/night.
Thanks
Stuart and Gunny
FollowupID:
869407
Follow Up By: Jim-Bob1 - Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 20:42
Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 20:42
Hi Stuart and Gunny
We were there last year, it was $25.00 ea for 2 weeks and then we had to pay an extra $10.00 ea per night to
camp unpowered.
But if your a NT resident you don't pay the $25.00 to enter.
Won't be going back.
Regards Jim-Bob.
FollowupID:
869418
Follow Up By: Steve in Kakadu - Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 21:33
Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 21:33
The fee is for 7 days and if you like it you can extend it for another 7.
FollowupID:
869425
Follow Up By: Batt's - Monday, May 16, 2016 at 09:00
Monday, May 16, 2016 at 09:00
Went there in 1990 is was good but replacing 1600 signs there's ya problem people use maps but mainly a gps these days so why does the landscape have to be littered with an excessive amount of ugly signs. If they learn't to keep to the basic signs which is all that is needed you wouldn't feel like you're driving through a capital city but there's always people out there who love signs the more the better makes them feel at
home. I expect if you actually read them correctly as you drive along you would need a 2 week pass to visit sounds like
"If you want to see the bush landscape avoid Kakadu".
that would be a good
sign to erect at the entrances to the park.
FollowupID:
869444
Follow Up By: Steve in Kakadu - Monday, May 16, 2016 at 13:06
Monday, May 16, 2016 at 13:06
Ha! hey Batts there ore no more signs in
Kakadu today than there were in the 90's, those signs are being replaced because they are faded and now out of date.
90% of those signs are actually on site interpretive signs, so as free and independent travelers such as yourself can visit a site in
Kakadu and leave
well informed.
I too hate excessive road signage, however we are putting up new entry structures, new precinct structures and new information bays, so as people are
well prepare for their visit.
FollowupID:
869457
Follow Up By: Steve in Kakadu - Monday, May 16, 2016 at 13:18
Monday, May 16, 2016 at 13:18
Just to clarify my position, I no longer run tours in
Kakadu as I now work for Parks Australia in the
Kakadu national park headquarters office, my position is Project and communication officer.
Here is a
Link to our industry/Tourism monthly update you can subscribe to.
Here is a
Link to the daily road update you can subscribe to.
Here is a
Link to help plan your visit.
Hope that helps.
FollowupID:
869459
Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 22:37
Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 22:37
When we set out for a trip to include
Kakadu, we heard so many Kakadon'ts. The closer we got - the more Do's we heard, these from people who had actually been there. A fantastic place, with so much to offer. In nine days we only scratched the surface, as can be seen in My
Blogs 2009.
It was a first visit so I cannot comment on changes. Nice campgrounds and sure, you pay a price to go to the nice ones which have hot showers.
AnswerID:
600126
Reply By: Ron N - Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 23:37
Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 23:37
We went to
Kakadu in 2007 and 2008 and it was excellent - but they were good wet season years.
We went last year and we were highly disappointed. Most of the disappointment was due to the poor dry season.
In fact, the whole of the Kimberly and the NT was looking terrible in July 2015.
I understand the situation isn't a whole lot better this year, with another poor "wet" season just gone - although some recent rains have apparently helped a bit.
If you want to see Kakudu at its best, you need to visit it after a good wet season.
As far as the charges go, I think constant and excessive charges are common to many "tourist" areas now. We now prefer to go to the areas where the charges are non-existent or low.
High charges for very average tourist facilities and sites will be counter-productive in the long run.
I do understand the need to provide facilities and they need to be funded - but I think too many people are climbing on the gravy train today.
Cheers, Ron.
AnswerID:
600128
Follow Up By: Member - Stuart and Gunny - Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 23:45
Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 23:45
Hi Ron.
Thank you that sounded like a fair and balanced point of view,with good assessment of the difference between the wet and dry wet season.
Thanks
Stuart and Gunny
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