Tides at Cahills Crossing

Thanks Tony. Next year. No problem finding tide charts, but relating them to actual depth over the crossing seems to be a harder question.
Planning means trying to arrive when we can cross rather than having to wait a few hours or a few days.
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Hi Pete,

Have been a SCUBA diver for many years, I can tell you that diving in the southern end of Port Phillip Bay where the tide can run at up to 7 or 8 knots, and trying to predict exactly when “slack water” was extremely difficult. The tide charts are really a guide only. Sometimes slack water only lasted a couple of minutes, other times up to 40 minutes.

Given that you are trying to predict “slack water” so far inland on a tidal river will be extremely difficult. Perhaps making contact with the local rangers may be of some help, they may have more “local knowledge” than anyone else. There is a Kadadu Ranger on this forum.

Macca.

Thanks Cuppa.
So far, I have concluded that even if the river flow is still significant, provided the tide is low, flow will be reduced and depth will be moderate and we will be able to cross safely, even if the wet is a bit late.
Not on a "tight schedule", just want to plan on being there at the best time, reasonably early in the season, without having to wait for a better tide.
Re the Cape next year.... any indication of new plans for the Laura Festival?
Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

On the two visits we've had to Kakadu we spent a fair bit of time at the crossing, over consecutive days, specifically around the turn of the tides ..... best time to see the crocs in large numbers & with plenty of action as they target the mullet trying to cross the causeway when the water is low. Best free croc show going! Every day we were there ( a couple of days each visit, a number of years apart) there was a short period when the causeway was dry & quite a long 'window' where driving across presented no 'challenge'. The deeper crossings which get folk into trouble are for the impatient, the gung ho & the foolish. I may be wrong, but I have been of the belief that most days present a safe crossing period in all but exceptional circumstances

Laura festival will be on 2nd to 4th of July, 2021, presumably returning to it's biannual pattern after the virused-out 2020 Cooktown Festival/Dance Festival 'combo'.
regards
Cuppa

Have crossed a number of times in both truck and 4wd. If water is across the causeway I only cross on the slack and at nothing more than 300mm.

Enjoy the trip.