Gunbarrel highway in nov-dec

Gunbarrel isn't Kakadu and yes, I have been to both.

No matter how experienced you may think you are, the Gunbarrel is not to be fooled with in the heat of summer

Be warned!

I will agree with Willem 100% on this.
I grew up in the top end,,,Point Stuart station when it was still a meatworks, and have also worked on a station on the Nullabor.
The build up is nothing like the desert heat at that time of year and the smallest mistake could cost more than you would like.
My advice is not to go, do it during the cooler months.

meow.

rick.

Willem did you ever come across some mates of mine while you were here Dave Lindner or John Lord a couple of tuff blokes in their time, John actually started tours here in 1961 he actually built munmalary station in the late 50s and Dave was a ranger in the 60s,70s and 80s he also caught sweetheart.

I agree with Willem and the others. It's too hot. Not only for you, especially for your vehicle. Between the turnoff after Warburton and the border of the Shire of Wiluna (shortly before Mungilli) you will be sitting on 25km/h, so there will not be much cooling air for engine, drive train or suspension. And even if you will get through, it's unlikely that you will enjoy it.

Also, if there is rain, you will need enough water and food for many days, as the track might simply get impassable. We've been there two years ago. In the guest book at the Everard Junction (Gary Highway) we read the entry of a bloke who did it in January (2001 I think). It read: "It's raining the road is a river".

We did it in late April, which at least that year was a good time to do it. Although it was still quite hot, we enjoyed a few freshly graded parts. (WA border to Warburton and Wiluna Shire part). That may save a lot of money, you would otherwise have to pay to your dentist for new fillings. But that's just my two cents worth.

Cheers Wolf
www.bush-sweepers.org

agree with everything said, and would add, if the sat phone is G* then don't rely on it.

Steve

Yep met Dave Lindner on a couple of occasions. Is he still living up there?
John LOrd rings a bell. Memory is fading. Started the first tours by boat on the South Alligator River in 1979 with Jeff Reid. Used drink White Cans aplenty with the Opitz's behind the Cooinda Pub.

Pretty much criss crossed Kakadu when it was still Woolwonga Reserve in the 70's and then more in the 80's. And also ventured to the plateau behind Jim Jim Falls and up to Gimbat, Sleisbeck and 100km beyond the Katherine River into Arnhemland. It is a magic part of our country

Yeah Dave is 63 now and runs the buffalo farm in Kakadu which supplies meat to the black fellas' he's slowing down now but still a tough bugger. Last year after cyclone Monica he was clearing trees and nearly chopped his foot off, He drove himself to the Jabiru clinic to get it fixed after he came to our house for a chat and said I can't get out of the car i got my foot in plaster i cut it a little bit. His little bit was nearly all the way through. We'll probably see him tomorrow as Pattsy goes to church something not up Daves ally.
John Lord is in his 70s he ran tours until 1990 his son runs the company now and he sold me the Jim Jim and Twin Falls day tours last year, This is why I can only travel in November through march.

Ahhh... I used to run tours into Jim Jim and Twin Falls in 1979 to early 1982. Been there about 120 times...lol Also ran a Day Tour from Darwin to Twin Falls. 4am start and 11pm return. $750 for the day. Did a few of them too. In those days there were just two of us operating in to Jim Jim and Twin. Myself and Darryl Tutty (and later Eric Philp).....Darryl and Eric joined forces with others and established Australian Kakadu Tours...AKT). I got sick of it by the beginning of 82 with tourists and Kakadu Management and buggered off to the west only to return by 85 and stay another 10 years in the NT. It sorta gets in yer blood. Now I can't take the heat any longer. I am of the same vintage as Dave but not nearly as tough.

There's only 2 of us doing it from Kakadu now me and cooinda(95 % owned by holiday inn group now) They refuse to hold my fliers but their my second biggest seller because of break downs and their drivers lucky I guess.
Johnny Reid adopted son of Jeff is a good mate of mine a great bloke sober a bugger on the gunbang.