NT wet season,when does it start and end,tourism wise?

Bob

Nice spot Lorella Springs.

Wet season build up starts in September and reaches the peak in November(known as suicide month in the old days). Rains can start as early as October but in general the big rains are in February and March.

Getting out of Lorella Springs will depend on river levels but you may be there until mid-May depending on how much rain has fallen during the wet! The Dept of Transport NT controls the roads so maybe an email to them may be of benefit to you


Cheers

Just to add to what has been said ....

If you have never experienced a tropical monsoon season, the first few weeks is a real "killer". When the planes landed in Saigon with the "reinforcements" you could pick the new guys within the first 15 minutes. The sweat was just pouring out of them.

There is one way of fixing this .... pouring copious amounts of "suitable" liquids back in ;-)

I've lived in Townsville since 1981 and it is (dry tropics) different to Cairns (wet tropics) and Darwin (just plain Tropo).

Malcolm

Its not for everyone. Isolated for quite a time can be a bore. Just remember you will not be able to drive anywhere much as well, confined to barracks so to speak. October November & December are the Storm Months - The Build up, very hot sticky and uncomfortable. January the monsoon rains can start with feb & mar usually being the wettest. Every year is different. We were flooded in the Gulf Country for 8 weeks in 1991. Could not get in or out of Normanton. No fun I can say. Give it a go you may enjoy it. Cheers Tony

You would need to investigate about supplies: if it is likely to be cut off from road access to supply centres for periods of time, does the place have airstrip and regular mail run service. Will the mail run bring supplies? What is air freight cost? Are there limits - to quantities on any one flight? On what they bring? example - one place we worked, the weekly mail plane would bring a small order from supermarket in Tennant Creek - but no meat, ever. Alcohol?
Is the airstrip always accessible or is it a distance from caretaker's place? e.g. Kingfisher Camp in NW Qld - airstrip was at homestead; wrong side of river from caretaker at the Camp.
Is the airstrip able to be used by Flying Doc in case of emergency?
What arrangements, shelter, communications exist in case of cyclone?
Taminmin Library at Humpty Doo (2005) operated a great remote library service (was free!!). You gave them idea of your reading tastes and once a month they sent, via mailplane, a box of books. When read, you put them back in box, sent them back, waited for the next lot.
Is there reliable phone/internet access/ service in Wet?
Those are some ideas from one who has worked in some remote parts - but not in Wet!

Hi Bob
As said it is a nice spot. You will get stuck in there for quite a while.
Have you ever spent that amount of time isolated? Once the roads are cut I would be surprised if you see anyone until they open. Also remember in the unlikely event of a cyclone you will be stuck there.
Unique experience though.
I guess you will tow a van in there to live in? When I was last there was a big shed and a toilet block. Rhett Walker is the owner I believe? I think he will provide a sat phone if not you will need a HF at the very least.
There is a track that leads from the camp to Rosie Creek, about 70km where there is good fishing but you won't be using it as it is difficult with even a small amount of rain.
Keep us posted as to how you get along.
Have fun!
Cheers Lyndon

I was there in August.
Without being prejudicial there was a major management problem occurring as we arrived.
I heard only one side from the owner, but their interpretation involved a group of bikers, and the manager leaving at short notice.
I had previously heard at Borroloola that Lorella had closed early . This was put about by the departing manager. However since we spoke to the lady on the phone we proceeded there.

The next day the owner left and a friendly character came in, who was their normal wet season manager. Charming chap who said he was known as Sir TALKALOT, and taught my wife a whole new NT vocabulary. The Fn waterfall is fn only so fn high.

So there would appear to be a problem with this gentleman.

Lorella has a sat link, so communication/TV is available as long as the diesel holds out as there is no power much north of Borraloola. There is an airstrip. The road in would be impassable for about the entire wet season. The bloke told me he liked the isolation. Pretty basic accommodation.
Lots of crocs so no swimming. Fishing supposed to be ace at the gulf which is on the station, but probably the road would be impassable.
IMHO not a job for someone not used to the NT bush.
Regards Philip A

Hi Balko,yeah I'm definatly a bit wet behind the ears in this situation, why do you suggest King Ash bay ?

Bob,

just to give you an idea of what the weather could be like.

Yesterday Warmun (aka Turkey Creek) in the far north of WA, had WA's highest temp for the day.. 44 degrees.

and the highest rainfall in the State for the day.

Can you imagine how that would feel?