Do we need a 4wd in Darwin?

Hi Guys,
To be honest unless you want to go off-road, a normal car should be well and truly enough. There are some places in both Kakadu and Litchfield N.P.'s that you might need to have a 4WD to get into (possibly Gunlom Falls etc.), but with some early research you should be able to find out the condition of these roads well before you go to the expensive measure of getting a 4WD.
Keep in mind that you will be arriving here in the middle of "the Build-Up" and the chance of rainfall is significant. Should this happen and depending on how much rain does fall, a number of roads will become closed and no-one will be going in until about March/April next year!
Hope you have a great trip up here!
Ben

Hello Andrew

No need for a 4WD to get to Cooinda or around Darwin. Exploring Kakadu could require a 4WD depending on where you want to go.

There are plenty of tour mobs that service the area too.


Regards

Brian B

A decent sized car like a Commodore or Falcon will get you just about anywhere in the dry. If the wet arrives before you go then you'll definitely want a 4b. DO Kakadu with a tour as you won't have time to do it justice on your own.

Whatever you hire make sure it's got air con :))

Hey Big Kidz

90% of Litchfield is 2wd access and 70% of Kakadu, however if you want to see the best parts EG: Sandy Creek Falls and the back road to Litchfield, or Jim Jim and Twin Falls or the Back road into Kakadu Gunlom or Maguk a 4wd is necessary.

My Tours to the Falls ends next weekend 27/10/07 for the season, we feel it is to hot to take people to the falls, Yesterday it was 43 in the shade and 95% humidity at 3 pm.

We simply don't want people getting sick on our tours.

Places to see in the Top End>

Darwin: Crocodilus Park the Museum the old Gaol the Aviation Museum Dinner at the Wharf and or Cullen Bay.

Litchfield is easy to navigate.

Territory Wildlife Park is a must.

Kakadu : Ubirr (Rock Art and Sunset) a Day Tour to ArnhemLand ( Lords Safaris 0889482200) Nourlangie Rock (Rock Art) Yellow Water Cruise (6.45am Cruise) Jim Jim and Twin Falls, Maguk falls, Gunlom Falls.

Katherine: If the Kids are old enough Canoe the Gorge (Whole Day) if not do the 4 hour Cruise.

That should keep you busy.

Cheers Steve.

Hire a Ford Terrotory, Subaru Forrster or Kluger just for a little extra ground clearance just in case.

There are no roads around or near Darwin or Kakadu that you need a REAL 4WD. A soft roader will be fine. Be careful though as the wet has started early and don't assume you can get to most places.

The problem you may face is restrictions placed by hire companies on where you can take their 2WD cars. You could find that you're not allowed to take them off the tarmac.
Litchfield, for instance, is an easy dirt road for any 2WD, but if the hire company doesn't allow it you won't be covered by insurance while you're off the hard top.
Ask the question before you hire, they tend to presume you now this stuff. Frankly, if it's only for a couple of days I'd be hiring a 4WD.

Gday,
I would! ...Depends what you want to do.
If you like fishing and mud crabbing a 4wd is definitely the go. Yes you can get to places in a 2wd, but if you own a 4wd I think you will feel restricted.

Just me.

Cheers