kakadu NP

Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 16:35

ThreadID: 79924 Views:3929 Replies:5 FollowUps:10

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Kakadu

World renowned Kakadu has plenty to offer the international and local tourist. The diversity and many attractions including amazing rock formations, rare wildlife,

Kakadu

Section: Treks

World reknown Kakadu has plenty to offer the international and local tourist. The diversity and many attractions including amazing rock formations, rare wildlife,

WayneD

Have a chance to go up to Darwin and thought I would drive out to Kakadu.
Unfortunately wont have my 4wd so will borrow the daughters GETZ. We will have a chance to get back there again as my daughter should be there for about 21/2 years (next time I will drive from Sydney)
My question is Can I do it justice and will I see much using the little Getz, there are no 4wds available for hire during the time we are going up and anyway they charge an arm and a leg. Or should I take a scenic flight instead?

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Reply By: Tenpounder (SA) - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 17:12

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 17:12

We did our first trip to Kakadu in the Prado with tent, camped in several spots, including Gunlom, in the dry season. We did not do any serious driving. Our second trip was fly drive, and we hired a Corolla. On both trips we included the Yellow Waters boat trip: MUST DO!!!!!!! On the first trip, we camped neraby, and did the dawn trip. On the second trip, we paid for a charter to Kakadu from Darwin, flying over Twin and Jim Jim Falls via the full West to East extent of the Park, then landed to have lunch and do the Yellow Waters boat trip in the afternoon.
Both trips were great, but iin terms of getting a good first picture, the fly in and then look around option has a lot to recommend it Apart from the $$$$!!
We also met a family who organised a special charter, which did an extra loop down to Katherine and Nitmiluk after the Kakadu landing. It wasn't much dearer.
But, if you plan to stay over for a night or two and do some walks to the famous places of interest (as well as the Yellow Water trip) you should still enjoy the visit.
Any more questions, sing out!!

AnswerID: 423350

Follow Up By: WayneD - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 18:44

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 18:44

Thanks for that, I think we will stay overnight and do the dawn cruise. Did Katherine when we did the GRR (not in the Getz).
Its interesting, have shown my daughter (23) shots of the Kimberley and she had no interest. Last week she went down to Lichfield and was blown away by the colours and the landscape, now wants to buy a 4wd, I can see my recovery gear heading north!!

FollowupID: 693788

Reply By: Chipsy - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 18:28

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 18:28

I reckon go check it out in a getz. you can see more in a 4wd obviously but there is plenty to see and enjoy that is accessible to 2wd. I havent ever done a flight but I imagine its speccy.

AnswerID: 423355

Reply By: kend88 - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 19:50

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 19:50

Should be able to do the majority in the Getz. Gunlom is my favourite and the road can be a bit rough, but if you take your time you should be ok.
Someone who has been to Gunlom recently may suggest otherwise.

KenD
bris

AnswerID: 423361

Follow Up By: WayneD - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 20:01

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 20:01

I guess if I dont have a 4wd I could get the next best thing "a hire car" and preserve the Getz

FollowupID: 693799

Follow Up By: Troppo Tom (Virginia, N.T.) - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 20:45

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 20:45

Corrugated at the moment but the word is that the grader should be out there soon if it hasn't been out this week!

Cheers,

FollowupID: 693800

Follow Up By: happycattle2000 - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 23:23

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 23:23

took my 24' van into Gunlom not that long ago and reckon the getz will do it if you take your time. Go for a look, you will see plenty.....but don't pay the $25 .....it is a rort.

FollowupID: 693813

Follow Up By: Troppo Tom (Virginia, N.T.) - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 23:53

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 23:53

Why is it a rort? You have toilets, hot showers and a clean campsite and wonderful hosts!

FollowupID: 693816

Follow Up By: Member - Vivien C (VIC) - Thursday, Jul 08, 2010 at 07:28

Thursday, Jul 08, 2010 at 07:28

If you go to Gunlom..climb to the top of the falls. The views are great and the pools up there are too!

Viv

FollowupID: 693819

Reply By: Member - lyndon NT - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 20:09

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 20:09

Hi Wayne

Things you can do, boat trip on yellow waters = AWESOME, Boat trip on East alligator = Very nice, walk around Norlangie Rock = Nice. Ubi., Look at rock art and climb to rock shelf lookout(easy walk) = About the best view I have ever seen!!!
Gunlom, IF road has been graded (may wish to check) drive in slowly, about 30 km dirt, go in VERY early, take you lunch and water and climb to the top pools, took me 15 minutes is steep but well worth it! Great place to swim.
Have fun

Cheers Lyndon

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AnswerID: 423363

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 21:11

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 21:11

Hi Wayne,

We spent about a week in Kakadu a few years ago, travelling in 4wd so we were able to go to some of the more out of the way places as well as the big tourist spots that are accessible by bitumen road (Ubir, Nourlangi, Yellow Waters). Then a few months later I had the chance to fly over the park, do loops over the falls etc. I think that I enjoyed the flight so much because I had seen the park from the ground first. I would go with the Getz option.

Cheers,

Val

J and V
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FollowupID: 693802

Follow Up By: WayneD - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 21:37

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 21:37

Flights booked and we will be up there in a couple of weeks, thanks for everyone's input, so if you see a little blue Getz making its way through the corrugations stop and say hello!

FollowupID: 693804

Follow Up By: 3GoBush - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 22:36

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 22:36

Check out these guys,(Kakadu tours) they used to advertise here some time ago.

FollowupID: 693807

Follow Up By: WayneD - Thursday, Jul 08, 2010 at 09:40

Thursday, Jul 08, 2010 at 09:40

I kike the idea of small personal tours and what better way to do it than in a 4wd, Kakadu tours looks pretty good and will give me a chance to look at other things besides corrugations. The little Getz will get us to the park and we will take it from there. Cant wait, just love outback Australia

FollowupID: 693825

Reply By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 23:08

Wednesday, Jul 07, 2010 at 23:08

Hi Wayne

Subject to the road into Gunlom being OK and taking it very carefully, the only major attraction you will not be able to reach with be Jimjim and Twin Falls. The falls are only flowing well when the roads in are impassible so wet season would be the time to take a flight. We spent 10 days in Kakadu and didn't go to places on the tracks between the main roads in and out.

Motherhen