Thread: Kakadu Lichfield ideas.

Originally Posted by Xtreme

Also, when passing through the Mataranka area, pay a visit to Bitter Springs - turn off east on the northern side of town. IMHO it is much nicer than the tourist populated and no longer natural Mataranka Springs.

.

Yeah we got that tip and it was a very good one.
Here are the Bitter springs. As you can see hardly anyone there. But the Mataranka springs were packed

Well we're back from our NT Trip.
The suggestions that were posted here in response to my question were very useful. Thanks all - the trip would not have been the same without your help..
We flew up to Darwin on Jetstar - first time I've used them - it wasn't too bad really - legroom sucks but I just took a Valerian super tablet and went to sleep.
The little Apollo Hilux 4WD camper that we hired was perfect for two people. We were lucky to get the new Hilux with the new D4-D engine in it. I must say its a very nice motor - bit different to drivng the old TDi. Although I must say the new Hilux in standard form is not much of an offroader - the ground clearance in front is woeful and the wheels and tyres are tiny. The design of the camper is great for two people although if you hire one make sure you do your own thorough inspection of EVERYTHING before you leave including any fold out canopies etc..... and what they claimed to be a snatch strap was actually the hose for the air jack ! They seem to employ backpackers to prep the vehicles who are fairly slack.
Our basic trip was as follows :
Couple of days in Darwin
Pick up camper -
stayed couple of days Cuzzons lookout Mary River - happened to notice a Mary River Cruise running at 4 pm. This turned out to be excellent and better and cheaper than Yellow Waters in some ways. The salties are bigger here and you don't see freshies in Yellow Waters.
Then to Ubirr and join the throngs of tourists looking at the rock art sites, although must say even with the crowds this is still a magic place. Don't miss going up to the Ubirr Lookout at sunset. We stayed at the campground there. Next time we'll definitely get a permit to go across into Arnhem land for a few days.
Then down to Nourlangie Rock and to Anbangbang rock art site and we also took the time to walk into the Nourlangor art site where most of the tours will NOT go, so we were by ourselves here ( seems the tours don't like making their passengers walk more than 400 meters) - this is another magic site so worth the 1.7km walk in.
We stayed that night at Sandy Billabong which is rated as a 4WD track in although very tame really. This is a nice quiet spot to camp.
We spent a night in at Jim Jim Falls ( road into Twin Falls was still closed ) and another at Yellow Waters Margugal Camp and took in the YW cruise at dusk - it is very touristy around there but still quite a boat ride !
Then on to Majuk (Barramundie Gorge) and Gunlom. I think we enjoyed these two spots in southern Kakadu more than anything else.
We were very impressed with the standard of facilities at the camping areas in Kakadu - especially the campsites at Jim Jim and Mardugal - fantastic solar showers and very clean.
Out of Kakadu and down to Katherine Gorge. We did a canoe trip up the first gorge and the mandatory helo ride through 8 gorges. Another very busy place.
Off to Douglas Hot Springs. I was impressed that this was still in its natural state and not developed at all. And the water is very hot ! Also stayed at Daly Resort and swum in the Arches and Hot pools there.
We entered Litchfield from the south on the Reynolds River 4WD track. First stop was at Surprise Creek Falls which was porbably our favourite spot in the whole trip - quiet, fantastic swimming holes and (almost) had the place all to ourselves. I talked briefly to a Defender driver there - driving a green TDi 130 - from Esperance in WA - Welsh I think. Anyone know him ?
Top of Reynolds River track has a few water crossings, and also the track into Blyth Hometead. Nothing to worry about - no more the 800mm depth when we went through.
We did the Edith Falls, Florence Falls thing but it was really to crowded for us. If Edith Falls Camp is crowded, the commercial park nearby is a good option. At Florence Falls the 4WD Camping Area is good - not so crowded and only a short walk to the falls.
We had a few days back in Darwin to wind down before coming home.
We had absolutley NO problems with mosquitos on the whole trip. I didn't get a single bite. We had all the defences going - the Mortein candle lamp thing, took Vitamin B tabs and used Bushman or Rid repellant - but there weren't many mozzies anyway.
Weather was perfect 27 - 30 degrees in the day and down to 8 degrees at night. I was surprised we had to have a campfire most nights.

Some pics here

http://www.bigpondphotos.com.au/pickup.jsp?PID=21cae90411a1e2447ce006b6