Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 20:45
Hi Max & Carol,
There's quite a lot of camping options in the NT, much of free. To the east of
Darwin you can head out to Gunn Point for camping and some great fishing. Same story if you head west where if you poke around
Mandorah, Bynoe Harbour and
Dundee Beach you will find a heap of good bush campsites. Fishing is pretty good everywhere. Alternatively, if your head south down the Stuart Hwy you'll find good camping along the
Adelaide and Fergusson Rivers also. We had a few favourite
places when we lived in
Darwin:
Surprize Ck falls in the southern section of
Litchfield NP. This is 4WD only access through this part of the park with the track going all the way through to the
Daly River Rd.
Surprise Creek Falls camping area is about halfway along and there is a lovely
swimming hole etc. No fishing thought but the drive is great.
Daly River - you can
camp at the
Daly River Crossing or chose from plenty of secluded river side camps to be found to the north of Oolloo Crossing.
Mary River (near
Bark Hut Inn outalong the Arnhem Hwy) where you can
camp at Corroboree (lovely!) and
Shady Camp. The Mary R is one of the top ends top barra spots.
Pine Creek - this area is an old tin and goldmining region full of history. There are a number of
places to
camp and plenty to explore including
old mine sites, relics, lonely gravesites and abandoned railway lines etc. A good drive is to turnoff the Stuart Hwy near Hayes Creek roadhouse and head towards
Ban Ban Springs Stn. Can't recall the name of the road off the top of my head but basically this runs mostly parallel with the hwy and takes you into
Pine Creek the back way. We spent a lot of time exploring this region.
So in summary, I doubt you'll get to do more than scratch the surface of all the top end has to offer unless you plan on spending years there. Also recommend you get a copy of the NT Fishing Map (available just about everwhere up that way) which marks most of the popular fishing spots and has a corresponding lacality key listing facilities (eg. ramp, camping, dinking water etc) at each place.
Hope this helps. I have much more detailed info and pics on our website. Just look under travels by state and follow the links to NT then Top End.
:o) Melissa
AnswerID:
97150
Follow Up By: hedevil - Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 21:00
Monday, Feb 07, 2005 at 21:00
Hi Melissa
thanks for the info , unfortunatley we dont have a 4by but a coaster bus fairly high clearance, Carol not to keen on the bulldust as heard some horror stories.looking at your web sight at presentsounds like you have had some great expieriences, we are fairly new travellers, never been to NT or further noth than Gerelton in WA...max and carol
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Hano - Tuesday, Feb 08, 2005 at 11:40
Tuesday, Feb 08, 2005 at 11:40
Melissa you are making me
home sick for the NT!! I have been back a year (in WA) and when I hear people talk about it wow, the urge to drop everything is nearly too strong. I am too scared to look at the website in case I walk out of work, speaking of which I had better get back too some!!
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Melissa - Wednesday, Feb 09, 2005 at 01:11
Wednesday, Feb 09, 2005 at 01:11
Hedevil,
If your travelling in the dry, you'll still be able to visit many of the
places I mentioned with a high clearance 2wd vehicle. Get some local advise on road conditions, make a judgement call and if you proceed just take it easy. Bulldust conditions can vary tremendously from week to week and road to road, but again just
check with locals and other travellers to get the latest advice. Corregations are just something you have to live with I'm afraid. Thing is in the Top End you don't have to venture far off the Stuart and Arnhem Hwy's to be on the dirt. Have a great trip...you'll love it!
:o) Melissa
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Melissa - Wednesday, Feb 09, 2005 at 01:15
Wednesday, Feb 09, 2005 at 01:15
Hano, I know exactly what you mean! I would happily have stayed in
Darwin another year or two but hubby couldn't stand the climate (even though he'd previously lived with me in nth Qld for 4 years). Didn't think it would be so long before we got back there...Still don't know when that will be.
:o) Melissa
FollowupID:
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