Thursday, Jan 30, 2003 at 14:12
Hi Steve,
Good advise posted so far. Just let me add my tips...
* Around
Broome be sure you don't miss
Cape Leveque. In fact, treat yourself to one of the "shacks" right opposite the beach.
Shacks are really just a frame covered with palm fronds, sand floor, cold shower in the corner, picnic table and chairs. Friends have also raved about a similar set-up at
Middle Lagoon though I haven't been there.
Point Coulomb is also worth checking out. Go to the TIC in
Broome for trek notes. Great day trip or alternatively there are some good free, sanctioned campsites up that way.
*
Fitzroy Crossing - Camping at
the Lodge is very nice with grassy, shady sites, BBQ's etc. Whatever you do though DON'T let your visit coincide with pension day. The locals go on a drinking binge the likes of which I had never seen before. Not pretty and a real eye opener but very sad too.
*
Timber Creek is a top spot if you like fishing. For best results use live bait which you can get using a live bait jig in any of the little creeks on the roadside.
*
Gregory (River) NP also worth a look. Access not for caravans though. This NP incoporates most of the old Bullita Station including the
homestead. If you like history, read Charlie Shultz's book "Beyond the Big Run" about his life and times establishing and running Bullita. Really adds interest to your visit.
* Kunanurra - Be sure to spend a bit of time here. Too many pass through, go out to see
Lake Argyle, then move on. They never realise they've missed some of the best. Go to the TIC and ask them to tell you about the aboriginal art sites and
rock formations that are just out of town.
* Don't miss
5 Rivers Lookout at
Wyndham.
* Top End - Lived in
Darwin for 12 months and previously toured the Top End. My favourite place is by far,
Litchfield NP. If you are only planning a day or two here you do yourself a disservice. If you've got a 4WD, be sure to do the 4WD only Southern Access Track. This track follows (for the most part) the
Reynolds River and its tributories south until it reaches the
Daly River Road. Only camping along this route is at Surprize Creek Falls (my favourite). The first crossing of the
Reynolds River can be deep and a bit tricky but nothing too hairy. You can do this track easily in a single day if you wish. Within the main area of
Litchfield there is camping at Wangi and Florence Falls/Buley Rockholes. In peak season these main campgrounds will be crowded. None of the campgrounds are particularly shady so make sure you have a tarp or awning.
Florence Falls also has a 4WD only
campground which is flanked by a creek (the lower reaches of the Falls themselves which you can walk to from here). There are a few small, shallow pools in the creek which are a great place to cool off. In
Litchfield, just leave your togs on all day. Also, think about doing the
Reynolds River Lagoon cruise.
Not fair to compare
Kakadu and
Litchfield as they are poles apart; attractions completely different.
Litchfield is
limestone, escarpment country.
Kakadu is vast floodplains, huge rivers and yes, some escarpments too.
Kakadu didn't get it's worldwide reputation for nothing. Again, during the dry season it will be crowded. My favourite
campground was the one near
Twin Falls, grassy and good shade but you need a 4WD to access it. BTW, if you are planning to go to
Twin Falls you will have to swim, float or paddle quite a way up
the gorge to get to the falls themselves (having said that, in the dry Twin and
Jim Jim Falls will most likely be dry anyway, but still worth a visit). A tyre tube or canoe is best. A Yellow Waters boat cruise is a must. Dawn cruise is the the best time to see crocs etc but evening cruise with the soft light is a photographers dream. No matter when you do it, you WILL see crocs and heaps of birds etc. First time I did it, I even saw a
dingo come down to the waters edge, grab a decent size
barramundi before trotting off with it in his mouth.
*
Darwin - best CVP in my opinion is Lee Point but be sure to book ahead.
Hope you find my tips useful.
:o) Melissa
AnswerID:
12167