DARWIN-GULF-CAIRNS Who has experience?
Submitted: Thursday, Jul 07, 2005 at 16:34
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svass
Hi,
we plan to go from
Darwin to
Cairns via
Kakadu NP, Gulf of Carpentenia and LawnHill NP. We only have 7 days to do so. I made up a plan of our trip, including times and distances. If anyone with experience on this trek could comment on and make suggestions for this plan I would really appreciate it (especially on the travel times)!!! Tips for campsides are also welcome!!!
Thank you very much!!! -Sven
Here is the plan:
DAY DATE KM KM(Total)
1 17/08/05 350 350
Darwin 11am-200km sealed-2pm
Kakadu NP
Fourmile hole (JimJim Rd) 3pm-150km unsealed-7pm JimJim
Billabong
2 18/08/05 200 500
Kakadu - Jimjim Falls 11am-200km 50%sealed-3pm
Gunlom Falls
3 19/08/05 435 985
Kakadu Gunlom Falls 7am-210km sealed-11am
Katherine Elsey NP
Katherine 12pm-215km sealed-3pm Ngukurr 3pm-100km unselaed-5pm Roper Hwy
4 20/08/05 420 1405
Campside (Roper Hwy) 9am-150km unsealed-1230am Boroloola
Boroloola 1pm-270km unsealed-6pm
Wollogorang
5 21/08/05 350 1755
Wollogorang 8am-350km unsealed-3pm
Lawn Hill NP
6 22/08/05 450 2205
Lawn Hill 3pm-450km 20% unsealed-9pm
Normanton (via Burke Highway?)
7 23/08/05 700 2905
Normanton 9am-700km sealed-7pm
Cairns
Reply By: Mike Harding - Thursday, Jul 07, 2005 at 18:21
Thursday, Jul 07, 2005 at 18:21
I think you're pushing things a bit on the 20/21/22 days - I don't know the current condition of the road but if you could allow one more day I think it would make for a much easier, less tiring drive along the Gulf.
I believe Hell's
Gate is closed these days?
Mike Harding
PS. I found your list quite hard to follow.
AnswerID:
119306
Reply By: Member - AVA 191 (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 07, 2005 at 19:00
Thursday, Jul 07, 2005 at 19:00
Hi Svass,
Have you checked out the "trip Planning" button at the top left of this page.
Then click on Travel Journal - there is some stuff in there. Maybe also in the "trek notes" too.
Good Luck
AnswerID:
119313
Reply By: MickeyJ - Thursday, Jul 07, 2005 at 19:54
Thursday, Jul 07, 2005 at 19:54
Svan,
I was up there last week.
Hells Gate roadhouse is open, and
well worth a visit.
Wollogorang Road House is closed to the public. There is fantastic
camping in Limmen national
park (Between
Roper bar and Boroloola)
Most of the roads were in good condition.
The road would not take you to Ngukurr (I doubt you are allowed there without a permit)
Highpoints for us were the south
lost city in limmen,
Katherine Gorge,
Lawn Hill, Mattaranka springs. Given your tight time table, you may have to make some tough choices.
Good luck and safe travel.
Mickey
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Voxson (Adelaide) - Thursday, Jul 07, 2005 at 21:34
Thursday, Jul 07, 2005 at 21:34
The only thing i would change is getting rid of
Kakadu and spending the extra time at
Lawn Hill Nat
Park...
A little place called Lorella Springs on the
Darwin side of Borraloola is an absolute gem...
Seems like a rushed trip...
AnswerID:
119343
Reply By: Twintrail(W.A.) - Friday, Jul 08, 2005 at 00:10
Friday, Jul 08, 2005 at 00:10
Hi.Savass,Been there done that to Krubra and back.Hope you are in 4x4 configeration as road conditions can change overnight.Time tables in the bush are not to be adhered too.Stay calm dont panic.Enjoy your trip.Twintrail(w.a.)
AnswerID:
119368
Reply By: Paul&Terri - Sunday, Jul 10, 2005 at 16:49
Sunday, Jul 10, 2005 at 16:49
Unfortuately you will not see much in such a short time and the roads around
lawn hill can be slow and expensive on Tyres if you go too hard, make sure you have appropriate pressures to help prevent rock fractures. I have only been around the
Lawn Hill &
Karumba part of your trip (
easter this year) and I recommend staying at the Nat
Park itself and not at Adelles Grove if you like
camping and better swimming. It is
well worth jumping into a canoe to fully appreciate the area at
lawn Hill.
Enjoy your trip, don't blink too much or you will miss some of the best bits.
Cheers
Paul
AnswerID:
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