Planning a trip to the Top End in May early June ?

Submitted: Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 12:07
ThreadID: 75664 Views:3475 Replies:6 FollowUps:12
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The Cook and I are looking at heading up to the Top End in May early June this year, we will be towing the Van, Kakadu is on the list and I was just wondering if it is just to close to the end of the Wet Season up there, I have read there is less tourists that time of the year, we want to make a base up there and explore the area without towing the Van every where, we will be going up to Darwin and then cutting back over toCairns and then head home to the Gold Coast, I reckon we will run into a lot of Victorian Snow Bunnies on the East Coast that time of the year, so we will have to book ahead for stop overs, your input would be appreciated, re the Top End part.

Cheers
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Reply By: Notso - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 12:19

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 12:19
No, not too early, there will still be a fair bit of water around but most of the popular tourist sites will be accessible. Beautiful weather. You still may need to book accommodation though.

The waterfalls in Litchfield should be still running well and ketherine Gorge should be great.



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Follow Up By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 13:08

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 13:08
G/Day Notso

Thank you for your input, Cheers.
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Reply By: Top End Explorer - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 13:02

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 13:02
Hi Dazza.

Keep an eye on our BLOGS Anja up-dates them on a regular basis once the park starts to open after the wet.

Don't hesitate to call in and have a cold one with us while you are here.

Cheers Steve.
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Follow Up By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 13:13

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 13:13
Hi Steve

While I was typing the Thread, I had you in mind,we will certainly keep an eye on your Blog Updates, and a couple of Cold Ones sounds great. Cheers.
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Reply By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 13:18

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 13:18
Daza
you have me a little worried mate...NOT ONCE did you ask for the co-ordinates for a bottlo'?

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Follow Up By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:06

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:06
Geez Mark

Some where in my Thread I mentioned we will be going at or near the End Of The Wet Season, and that goes for me as well,i'll have to dry out, can't have the Territorians thinking us Cane Toads are all Beer Swilling Pee Pots, like a certain Cockroach over the NSW border lol lol.
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Follow Up By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:11

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:11
Daza

just concerned that you don't run out of fluids mate.

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Follow Up By: Top End Explorer - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:25

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:25
If they visits me you can be sure I will keep them hydrated. LOL

Just remember that there is no take away in Kakadu, so be prepared.

Cheers Steve.
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Follow Up By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:31

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:31
Steve
he does need some one to look after him.........just dont let him upset the caravan park owners up there will ya?






P.S put a lock on ya fridge too :-)
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Follow Up By: wendys - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:33

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 16:33
Steve,
what are the rules now, in relation to carrying alcohol in Kakadu?
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Follow Up By: Top End Explorer - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 17:12

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 17:12
Hi Wendy

You may carry un-opened alcohol into Kakadu as per the intervention rules, you may consume alcohol in managed camp grounds Cooinda and Jabiru, however I have been told by a local police officer, that unless you get out of control in other camp areas they are not concerned and they wont police it.

Meaning if you are outside these areas having a quiet drink, you wont be targeted, I have seen people abusing this and relayed this to both the police and Parks with no response taken.

Cheers Steve.
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Follow Up By: wendys - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 17:50

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 17:50
Thanks Steve. Sounds like that makes beer ok in tins, but may have to rethink the bottle of scotch!
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 20:00

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 20:00
Hey Steve

No take aways'?? What about the bakery.

We bought some of the best food on the trip off them.

Bought about 16 quiches and froze them and ate them for lunch for a week.

Beautiful
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Reply By: hiluxcab - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 21:04

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 21:04
daza just seen on the kakadu parks web site that they are reintroducing the parks visitor fee in april of this year it will be 25 dollars per person i think this sucks
they need to encouarge more vistor to the area not scare people away it is a great place to visit at that time of the year and i hope you enjoy your trip
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Reply By: Kumunara (NT) - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 21:25

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 21:25
Daza



The best time of the year in the top end is the wet. Everything is green and alive.

When most tourists visit in June / July the top end is dry and the rivers are down.

Thank god the tourists haven't realised how good it is in the wet as the other good thing about the wet is that there are very few tourists about.




Tjilpi
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Follow Up By: 2rakjack - Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 23:11

Monday, Feb 01, 2010 at 23:11
For those that have responded to the original post, we are a planning a family trip to the top end and central Australia in mid March through April and am concerend about road closures at this time. Is this time of year ok to travel. Will be in a camper trailer.

2rackjack
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Follow Up By: Kumunara (NT) - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 19:42

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 19:42
2rackjack



Depends on what the weather does. So far we haven't had a big wet and there is no problems.

March / April is still the wet. In 2006 it flooded in Katherine on the 4th of April. You should be okay but I cannot predict what the weather is going to do. BOM can't even do that.

Depends also where you plan to go. Stuart Highway and Victoria Hwy will cope with the wet and should not be a problem. Other roads are regular cut off when the rivers rise.



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Reply By: Member - Barry (NT) - Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 19:53

Tuesday, Feb 02, 2010 at 19:53
We're heading back to NT after 2.5 yrs on the road to catch up with family.

Plan to be in NT by about 1 May BUT we will be watching the weather (wx) and river levels.

WE are planning to go to Clermont QLD in say early April and mess around the gold fields for 10 days or so and check the wx and rivers ect from there and decide when to go.

Can bucket down in April/May and this can lead to some roads being closed to Kakadu even bitumen and dirt roads can take longer.

Suggest you take up Steve's offer for blog above and get regular updates.

Have seen the Barkly and Tennant Ck areas flooded but you should have some warning.

I don't anticipate any problems but after 22 years in Darwin I don't take mother nature for granted.

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