KAKADU

KAKADU

We were on our way to Kakadu.  Brad was really looking forward to this part as it is an iconic Australian destination that he has always wanted to visit.  It is surprising how big it really is,  just sticking to the Kakadu highway it is over 400 kms.

Our first night was at Gunlom Falls.   It was a bumpy red dirt road in and at each river crossing there was signs to not swim as there were crocodiles in the area. 

At Gunlom Falls it was open to swim in both the plunge pool (although there was a sign saying there were freshwater crocs in the area)  and the infinity pool.  As crocodiles weren’t up the top of the falls, we opted to hike 1km up on a very rocky steep climb to the top.  It was very hot climbing up but you forgot  how hard the second you saw the view.  It was spectacular.  We all hopped in straight away.

At the top of the main waterfall there is a small cascade that falls into 3 or 4 rock pools to then roll off the edge to create the large waterfall down to the main pool/creek area.  This created the effect of an infinity pool up the top.  It was the perfect swimming hole (if you didn’t have to hike back down) with amazing views over Kakadu National Park.

That night as the sun began to set a herd of wild brumbies strolled past the campground on the other side of the creek.  It was like a scene from The Man from Snowy River.

Next morning we moved onto Cooinda Lodge in order to see more of what Kakadu had to offer.  We booked in for the next available Yellow Water Cruise, eager to see some saltwater crocodiles from the safety of a tour boat.

Out on the water, the view was so peaceful.  The guide was very informative and had an extensive knowledge of the wildlife and a love for the crocodile.  There were so many different bird varieties but we were on the look out for some of the big boys.  We saw a few small crocs and a larger female croc basking in the sun.  Then towards the end there was a large 3.5 meter croc hiding in the trees.  It was surprising to see the flock of about 50 ducks just wading right next to him and he didn’t even move.  Our guide was on the lookout for the big 5m croc in the area but unfortunately we didn’t get to find him.

  

The cruise was pricy but well worth it seeing the crocs in their natural habitat rather than in a farm (or out on our own).  The girls again were desperate to go for a swim so we spent the rest of the afternoon letting them tire themselves out at the lodge pool.

We were debating whether or not to head to Jim Jim Falls in the morning or do a tour of the rock paintings in Ubirr.  As reports that the road into Jim Jim Falls was rough we decided to go to the cultural centre and then Ubirr.

The Aboriginal rock paintings at Ubirr are regularly used as examples of Aboriginal art around the world.  The outdoor gallery is well worth the extra kms out past Jabiru not only are the paintings great to see, it is also the border into Arnhem land and from the top of the rocks is a great view across the land.

While driving in the national park there were a number of different types of wildlife.  We saw donkies, horses, a buffalo, lots of wallabies, eagles, roadkill and lots of burnt bushland.  The landscape was not what we expected.  It was quite dry and scrubby, rather than the plush mangrove, jungle Brad had imagined.

We drove into Jabiru which is a uranium mining town in Kakadu National Park, filled up on fuel and spotted a busy looking bakery.  We all had pies and cakes for lunch (Brad got a Kangaroo pie) then hopped back in the car to head to our next stop, Darwin.