Litchfield

Submitted: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 21:38
ThreadID: 57612 Views:3441 Replies:9 FollowUps:16
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Hi All
Heading up to Litchfield in August and was wondering if anyone has driven the track down to the bottom of the Park to the Daly River Rd and how difficult it was and any other info. I've checked the Trek area here and there appears to be nothing about that track.

Cheers Drew
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Reply By: Member - John and Val W (ACT) - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 21:51

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 21:51
Drove that track in 02. No problems, one or two minor water crossings. Its the best area to see magnetic termite mounds. From memory there were a couple of basic camp areas at the southern end of the track. But things could have changed a bit in the past 6 years.

Val.

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AnswerID: 303832

Reply By: Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 22:13

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 22:13
Unless it has changed it is an easy and scenic track
-- BUT it has 1 deep water crossing with a sighn saying snorkals and preperation required
i didnt need to cross it so i didnt try as i had already accessed the bottom part from the daly river road.
Goes past 2 nice waterfalls and heaps of cool termite mounds.
Uncrowded part of the park almost ha it to myself
AnswerID: 303842

Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Yalgoo) - Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 22:20

Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 22:20
Here Ya go
Litchfeild to Daly river
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FollowupID: 569953

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 08:32

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 08:32
It was a great drive in the middle of 06 - water crossing at the top was about 700mm - another crossing lower down (drove along the creek bed for a ways - see pic) was about 500mm max - both levels may be lower later in this dry season (depends on this season though). Lovely country - plenty of natural attractions for us.
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AnswerID: 303878

Reply By: drewab - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 09:12

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 09:12
Gents,
Thanks for the tips and the link Dave. We'll be towing a camper trailer so I'll get some more info when we get in there, 500mm will be alright with the trailer, much more could be pushing it. Thanks again.

Cheers Drew
AnswerID: 303884

Follow Up By: zha zha cruiser - Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 10:17

Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 10:17
July 07 I pulled my camper trailer through the Reynolds river crossing and the indicators said the water was up to 700, all was fine...no snorkel, & no man. No Worries.
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FollowupID: 572920

Follow Up By: Top End Explorer Tours - Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 10:30

Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 10:30
Xing water in the Top End without a snorkel at depths like that are foolish dangerous especially with kids on board, most of those Xings may have Estuarine crocs in them, imagine having to get out and walk back to the bank if it goes pear shaped.

Cheers Steve.
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FollowupID: 572925

Follow Up By: zha zha cruiser - Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 10:43

Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 10:43
so is parachuting but I do that too.
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FollowupID: 572929

Follow Up By: Top End Explorer Tours - Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 10:57

Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 10:57
Do you take your kids with you ?
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FollowupID: 572932

Follow Up By: zha zha cruiser - Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 11:29

Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 11:29
PLEEEEESSSE stop being silly on this site....kakadu is a lovely place for some, but beleive it or not so many people dont like it, as there are much better places to go to. Sorry, but if you dont have the time or the money, perhaps travellers should be educated and aware of all views, perspectives, and experiences on all places so they can then make a more informative decision on where they go. flower and fauna, just doesnt do it for some.

Im starting to get the feeling you are indirectly suggesting that my views are ridiculous because I choose to do things that you dont approve of...or perhaps its just because Im female
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FollowupID: 572937

Follow Up By: Top End Explorer Tours - Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 11:48

Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 11:48
Year you are right I don't approve of people who put their kids at risk by Xing water ways that may have Estuarine crocs in them with an ill prepared car, as for you being female I really couldn't give a bleep as I would have said the same to a man.

You say yourself people want informative info on places, well you are the one giving the ill informed info, and by the way where did I speak ill of another place on that or any other thread in the year or so I have visited this site.

Telling people not to go to Kakadu is because it is to hot and dust, is hardly a informative trip report, If you believe it is not worth going then give an informative response, go I dare you.

As for me being silly well I have spent many hours on this site giving well informed and researched information, how about you.

Cheers Steve.
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FollowupID: 572942

Follow Up By: zha zha cruiser - Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 12:53

Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 12:53
Excuse me, but I think you spend many hours on this site spinning PR for your Kakadu tours.

Its very cheap advertising to scan through these forums pouching on travellers heading to the NT.

On a personal note, I lived in the highlands of PNG and you would freak if you knew about the tracks we had to travel on up there, not to mention our ill equipt 4 wheel drives. God only knows what you would think if you knew some of the places the Australian Army made me work in.

And now Im a senior executive in one of Australias most respected companies and I only get 4 weeks leave a year. So I dont wanna waste my time travelling to places that I already have been to which I found to be not worth it! Sorry if that offends you.

nonetheless if your are retired and have all the time on your hands, enough money and youre not likely to get sick...perhaps a trip to Kakadu may be your thing. Its just not for me and many others that I know.

Please do not write back to me top end....Im not interested in your attacks on me, my kids and my lifestyle thank you.
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FollowupID: 572953

Follow Up By: Top End Explorer Tours - Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 13:34

Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 13:34
So that would be a NO then in regards to giving an informed view on Kakadu.

I did not attack your kids or your lifestyle, All I said was I didn't approve of people who put there kids at risk, there is a big difference between putting yourself at risk as opposed to putting your kids at risk as well.

As for spinning PR, I have only put a link to my site ONCE on this forum this was on my informative Kakadu report, I also put a link to my opposition, Most people on this forum would do Kakadu themselves, my advertising is actually in the Topics area of the site.

As for PNG there is probably nothing you have done there that I havn't done in Arnhemland, Kakadu or the Kimberly.

As they say here BOH BOH.

Steve.
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FollowupID: 572961

Follow Up By: zha zha cruiser - Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 14:01

Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 14:01
Again I will ask you to not write back to me...

I am so sick of your bullying tactic....My kids were never in any danger. 700mm of Water is nothing to a landcruiser...I know my ex was the 4x4 trainer for Toyota, one would have thought you would know what these vehicles limits actually are. But obviously you dont...
Croc infested waters....honestly....we were in a vehicle, not paddling in a canoe. Not camping on the river banks...not fishing during the wet around female crocs protecting their young. crossing a well known river xcrossing around lunchtime, along with many others that time of the year. WITH WINDOWS UP AND ENOUGH FOOD AND WATER TO LAST 2 DAYS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. NOT TO MENTION THE WELL PACKED ESKY.

Arnhemland, Gove peninsula, Coburg, are places I ljust oved, unlike your kakadu. Please let it be known that none of these places are anything like the highlands of PNG - you really loose credibility when you suggest such a thing.

oh by the way, PR occurs the moment you sign off using your company brand.
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FollowupID: 572967

Follow Up By: Top End Explorer Tours - Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 14:30

Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 14:30
This post is for people that want an informed view of river Xings in the top end, especially Reynolds river. Reynolds river bordering Litchfield N.P. and Reynolds river Station is a croc infested river, Xing this river at 700 or more without a snorkel could become dangerous if you get stuck or blow an engine through water intake, I have seen many a Toyota and Nissan come to grief under these cercumstances.

I have seen large 4 + metre crocs in this river near this Xing, this was in the late 80s when I was part of the survey crew that surveyed the border, I have travelled this track many times in the 34 years I haved lived in the Top End.

My info is based on experience and it is free take it as you wish.

Cheers Steve.

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FollowupID: 572971

Reply By: Member - John L (WA) - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:38

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:38
We did last Aug with Prado & off road camper from Daly up to Litchfield. Reynold River about 800 across & 600 deep - I walked it & was going back to say bit deep (no Snorkle) when the Prado appeared pulling swagman no trrouble. Most fascinating 44kms in NT. Do go to Surprize Falls, Sandy Creek Falls (campsites) & visit the Blythe Homestead - read the storybook. Every km shows a different bit of country. Took us 2 days as we stopped/camped so much. Cheers Heather
AnswerID: 303899

Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 16:25

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 16:25
Might see you on the road Drewab.

Glad you asked the question, we will be there about the same time, 2nd or 3rd week of August.

Sounds an interesting road.

Thanks everyone for the replies.
AnswerID: 303951

Follow Up By: drewab - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 20:21

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 20:21
John,
Would be good to catch up. We're going to Kakadu as well, we're travelling along the top first. Normanton- Katherine. We'll be in a white 80 series towing a Robust camper trailer.

Cheers Drew
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FollowupID: 570075

Follow Up By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 19:32

Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 19:32
Look forward to it Drew,

We have gone up market and got a CT too, been using a tent for 20 years
Leaving Brisbane about the1st Aug, 2.5 days to the Isa.
Not sure if going via the gulf on the way up or on the way back first week of Sept.
Have been toPawn Hill before and want to revisit, but we turned NE last time, not NW.
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FollowupID: 570467

Follow Up By: zha zha cruiser - Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 10:20

Sunday, Jun 01, 2008 at 10:20
Hey, Ill be going Normanton to Mataranka via boorooloosa and Nathan river road too. We were going in July, but Im going to put it back to Sept 08 now. Money is a little tight.

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FollowupID: 572921

Reply By: Top End Explorer Tours - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 18:40

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 18:40
Hope you come out to kakadu as well.

Chears Steve.
AnswerID: 303976

Follow Up By: drewab - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 20:23

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 20:23
Steve,
Yeah mate we're coming out to Kakadu. I was going to try and ring you when we got up there.

Cheers Drew
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FollowupID: 570076

Follow Up By: Top End Explorer Tours - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 21:12

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 21:12
To easy if you ring, ring the 1300556609 # that is a 24/7 #.

Cheers Steve.
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FollowupID: 570098

Reply By: Waza & Wend - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 21:59

Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 21:59
Hi Drew,

We are in Kununurra at the moment and should be up that way in about 2 weeks, cheek with me then and I will give you an update if you want.

Cheers
AnswerID: 304023

Reply By: wendys - Friday, May 16, 2008 at 16:51

Friday, May 16, 2008 at 16:51
While you are up that way, a bit that a lot of people do not know about is LaBelle Station. In 2006, they had a great campground there. Took a boat tour on a billabong - nearly as good as Yellow Waters. Were also offereing heli trips to inaccessible fishing spots on their coast. Access LaBelle by going a few km past the turnoff to Wangi Falls, and on past the Monsoon Cafe and it is signposted. Was about 25??km of good gravel to get in there. Used to be an info board about it just outside the Monsoon Cafe.
AnswerID: 304175

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