3 Day Kakadu Adventure

Well deserved few pints!!
see all photos »

After hearing so much from backpackers in Darwin who had travelled to Kakadu we booked a tour just before we left.

It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip. We got to see snakes, crocodiles, lizards, spiders, bats etc.. and we survived!! nine of us went.

We got to see snakes, crocodiles, lizards, spiders, bats etc..

Day 1:

Snake - harmless!!
see all photos »

7:00am pickup from the youth shack (hostel) – met with the tour guide (Deano), one crazy man…

This is what day one involved!

We went on a Jumping Croc Cruise - this boat cruise set on the Adelaide River was pretty cool, you get to be up close and personal with these villainous salt water crocs.  We got a chance to see these hungry creatures been fed, it was pretty awesome.  Plus the birdlife there were pretty daring – now and again while feeding the crocs, they would swoop down try and snatch the meat, some got it as well (fair play to them..)

Well on it by then..
see all photos »

Next we stopped off at the Bark Hut Inn - this was the place where we all stocked up on drink (number 1 priority) snacks, plus we got to see some of the local wildlife – emu, buffalo etc..

We travelled to Mamukala Wetlands, a perfect photo opportunity for the Top Ends birdlife, particularly magpie geese.

On the road again to our campsite via the unsealed Darwin roads.. We stopped along the way to pick up some firewood. We reached the campsite and setup our swags. Real bush camping!

In the vic!!
see all photos »

After setting up our swags our next destination was to the Ubirr Artsite.

This was a 1 Km walk through ancient aboriginal artsites.   Deano gave us a detailed talk about the history of the aboriginal ancestors.   We also got to hike to the top for a spectacular 360 degree views of the East Alligator floodplains.

We drove to the South Alligator River where a scene from the movie Crocodile Dundee was shot – pretty amazing!

Back to the camp site – where we cooked our bush BBQ consisting of kangaroo salads etc.. having filled ourselves it was time for the VB (drink).

Looks very relaxed..
see all photos »

We retired to our swags – enjoying the stargazing under the southern skies.

Day 2

Twin Falls

After an exciting drive to the twin falls which included a flat tire, close head on collisions with trees we got a boat cruise with an Aboriginal Guide up Twin Falls Gorge.  After a short walk down to the end of the gorge, you reach a beautiful white sandy beach at the base of Twin Falls - absolutely stunning. After taking all that in we did a return walk about 7km to the Top of Twin Falls which offers more breathtaking views down the gorge.  We went swimming in rock pools at the top of the falls – definitely required after the climb, absolutely wrecked…

Twin Falls
see all photos »

From Twin Falls we made  our way to the mighty Jim Jim Falls.  A swim in the plunge pool at the base of Jim Jim Falls is sure to wake you up for the day as you cool down in the refreshing water. To get to the plunge pool, a 1km scenic walk through monsoon rainforest is taken and has excellent lookouts over Jim Jim Falls. Thery were some awesome sights of the sheer cliff faces that surround you from the base of the gorge.

Off to the Yellow Waters Billabong which is famous for its plentiful birdlife, finished the day enjoying the sunset.

Kakadu
see all photos »

Back to the camp site – where we cooked our bush BBQ consisting of steak salads etc.. having filled ourselves again it was time for more VB.

Day 3

A more relaxing day..

We went to Maguk ( Barramundie Gorgie ) it was a 2 km hike around the falls and upper reaches of the gorge.  This is where we chilled out for most of the day until we got kicked out for jumping off rocks fairly high.. :-(  it's definately a cool spot for swimming and exploring.

Twin Falls
see all photos »

Next we drove to the Bowali Visitor Centre which was our last stop.  Design by the traditional owners of Kakadu this area offers static displays such as aboriginal art paintings, didgeridoos etc..  This is where we had a chance to hold pythons - lizards etc.. pretty cool..