We say ... ... ... Kaka-fricken-doin' it!
For those of you who simply drive through Kakadu and plonk yourself at a little bush camp and whack on the tv - of course you are not going to like Kakadu!
You've got to get out of your van and off the main road to fully appreciate and experience Kakadu's full essence. 4WD recommended for those off-road tracks or you will miss the heart of Kakadu.
We loved it! Crocodile city, excellent campsites, terrain like no other in Australia, waterfalls, Arnhem Land, aboriginal culture and history, spectacular bushwalks and billabongs - and did I mention the fishing!
We entered Kakadu along the Arnhem Hwy, but before we reached the National Park we stopped in at the Adelaide River Jumping Crocodile Tour in Anzac Ave.
You've got to get out of your van and off the main road to fully appreciate and experience Kakadu's full essence. 4WD recommended for those off-road tracks or you will miss the heart of Kakadu.
We loved it! Crocodile city, excellent campsites, terrain like no other in Australia, waterfalls, Arnhem Land, aboriginal culture and history, spectacular bushwalks and billabongs - and did I mention the fishing!
We entered Kakadu along the Arnhem Hwy, but before we reached the National Park we stopped in at the Adelaide River Jumping Crocodile Tour in Anzac Ave.
The Adelaide River jumping crocodile tour
Now first up, I've got to say that I don't necessarily approve of feeding 5m monster salt water crocs, let alone teaching them to jump up beside a boat to get food..... However, the mere experience has definitely made me more aware of the dangers of crocodiles in the NT. It was frightening to see how big these reptiles actually are - it is deceptive seeing beady little eyes and a fraction of head poking out of the water; and then to see the croc up close and out of the water was an experience in itself! They are MASSIVE!
We took the 9am tour boat and cruised up and down the Adelaide River looking for crocs. We saw a heap of female crocs - they knew straight away that we had buffalo meat for them, as they came swimming towards the boat ready for a feed! Harry the tour guide was fantastic ... he enlightened us with so much information about the history of Kakadu, and told us many stories about the crocs from over his 30 years working alongside of them.
We were lucky enough to meet two male celebrity crocs of the Adelaide River.... Brutus and Dominator. They defend this part of the NT in Kakadu, and they are both very territorial of others crossing into their domain. Last week Brutus hit the local headlines about his fight with a 2m bull shark - Brutus won!
Merl Camp
Our first stop in Kakadu was at the far end of the Arnhem Highway at Merl Camp, approx. half an hour north of the main town of Jabiru. Merl camp is a serene little bush camp for only $20/night with hot showers and flushing toilets.
Our first stop in Kakadu was at the far end of the Arnhem Highway at Merl Camp, approx. half an hour north of the main town of Jabiru. Merl camp is a serene little bush camp for only $20/night with hot showers and flushing toilets.
Cahills Crossing
5 mins down the road from Merl Camp takes you to the infamous Cahills Crossing; which is the causeway between Kakadu and Arnhem Land. Plenty of people tackle this causeway but you need a permit to enter into the town of Oenpelli or a personal invite. We came down to Cahills crossing quite a few times for fishing the high tide and to watch the crocs feeding and crossing the causeway. At high tide the mullet cross the causeway against the current, creating a feeding frenzy for the crocs living there. One mullet jumped right out of the water up onto the concrete drive - Matt picked it up and got a cheer from the crowd up on the viewing platform. It was Mr. fishy's lucky day ... Matt let him go.
5 mins down the road from Merl Camp takes you to the infamous Cahills Crossing; which is the causeway between Kakadu and Arnhem Land. Plenty of people tackle this causeway but you need a permit to enter into the town of Oenpelli or a personal invite. We came down to Cahills crossing quite a few times for fishing the high tide and to watch the crocs feeding and crossing the causeway. At high tide the mullet cross the causeway against the current, creating a feeding frenzy for the crocs living there. One mullet jumped right out of the water up onto the concrete drive - Matt picked it up and got a cheer from the crowd up on the viewing platform. It was Mr. fishy's lucky day ... Matt let him go.
Ubirr
Ubirr is right around the corner from Cahills crossing, and is a must see when travelling through Kakadu.
Ubirr is a magical place full of massive boulders, sky-high escarpments, ancient aboriginal artworks and breathtaking views. The walk around this site is not a long one, and you can either go on your own self-guided tour or follow a ranger around and listen to their informative talks about the history of Ubirr and explanations of the artworks.
Ubirr is right around the corner from Cahills crossing, and is a must see when travelling through Kakadu.
Ubirr is a magical place full of massive boulders, sky-high escarpments, ancient aboriginal artworks and breathtaking views. The walk around this site is not a long one, and you can either go on your own self-guided tour or follow a ranger around and listen to their informative talks about the history of Ubirr and explanations of the artworks.
Sunset at Ubirr is an experience in itself ...
Muirella camp
Heading down the other side of Kakadu along the Kakadu Highway you will find a number of bush camps - most have hot showers and flushing toilets. The most you will pay at these bush camps is $10/adult each night. Rangers come around in the afternoons to collect fees.
Muirella camp is a quiet spot and has a boat ramp just a short distance walk from the amenities... we explored the billabong, home to a few resident crocs.
Heading down the other side of Kakadu along the Kakadu Highway you will find a number of bush camps - most have hot showers and flushing toilets. The most you will pay at these bush camps is $10/adult each night. Rangers come around in the afternoons to collect fees.
Muirella camp is a quiet spot and has a boat ramp just a short distance walk from the amenities... we explored the billabong, home to a few resident crocs.
This is a good camp to base yourself while checking out nearby Nourlangie rock - home to some beautiful aboriginal rock artworks.
Mardugal camp #2
Mardugal has two camping area's... camp #1 and camp #2. We preferred camp #2 because it was more open, shaded and grassy. We met Johnny, Zara, Acia and Willow at this camp; friends we met in Darwin - so the kids were happy.
There is a short walk to a billabong and a boat ramp is situated nearby - and yes there are crocs!
Mardugal has two camping area's... camp #1 and camp #2. We preferred camp #2 because it was more open, shaded and grassy. We met Johnny, Zara, Acia and Willow at this camp; friends we met in Darwin - so the kids were happy.
There is a short walk to a billabong and a boat ramp is situated nearby - and yes there are crocs!
Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls
We based ourselves here for about 5 days. A 2hr 4wd track takes you to the infamous Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls. We set off very early for our big day, but were soon lost and broken down.
We based ourselves here for about 5 days. A 2hr 4wd track takes you to the infamous Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls. We set off very early for our big day, but were soon lost and broken down.
Twin Falls is an exciting drive.... sandy tracks, rocks, red dirt and a .6m creek crossing. It's quite low at this time of year, but during the wet season and soon after it is a full flowing creek that requires your vehicle to have a snorkel. We decided to temporarily attach a snorkel just in case.
You need to travel over to twin Falls by boat which costs $12.50/adult (kids free) and then over a floating pontoon pathway before clambering up over the massive rocks and boulders. You can't swim at Twin Falls because of crocodiles being present often, but there is a croc trap there baited with pig leg to entice any lost crocs who have wandered into the Falls area. You used to be able to swim here but the crocs are about and tourists used to climb up onto the banks and accidentally trample on turtle and croc nests, squashing the eggs.
Jim Jim falls was a very difficult 1km walk over rough terrain of huge rocks... quite tricky for kids - but we made it. There is a sandy beach swimming area of freezing water and a plunge pool at the base of the waterfall - which wasn't running at this time.
Yellow waters isn't far from this camp. There are cruises that take you out on sunrise onto the billabong to see crocs, birdlife and a spot of fishing, but we took our boat out - cause we can.
Maguk
There isn't much at Maguk Campground except drop toilets and loads of bushland.... however it's the 1km walk to the Maguk falls and Barramundi creek that makes it all worth while. This was my favourite spot in Kakadu - I could have lived at the waterfall. A lot of people bypass this part of Kakadu - So for those of you Kaka-doin' it, ma
There isn't much at Maguk Campground except drop toilets and loads of bushland.... however it's the 1km walk to the Maguk falls and Barramundi creek that makes it all worth while. This was my favourite spot in Kakadu - I could have lived at the waterfall. A lot of people bypass this part of Kakadu - So for those of you Kaka-doin' it, ma