Category Archives: Campsites

Gunlom – Kakadu

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Gunlom

Gunlom is down a 4WD track, that being said a lot of 2WD’s make the trek, despite warnings from the rangers. I’ve saw a bumper broken the last time I was there, but most seem to go okay as long as they go very slow. No way I’d do it though.

The campsite is really good, it has some concrete firepits, running water in the toilet block, and some stone benchtops you can set up on. There was zero firewood around, so I would recommend that you gathered some on the way, like I should have. Even in July, fire is not necessary, but who doesn’t love a fire when they are camping?

Gunlom is two areas, the bottom and the top. The bottom is very accessible, a 50 metre super easy walk. The pool is large, the water is nice. There are some rocks around to sit on. There are usually a few older folks and younger kids around. Kakadu’s freshwater swimming pools vary in temperate, I’d say this one was colder than average.

The top pools are a steep walk up a hill. It takes about 20 minutes, and bring plenty of water and food for the day as you don’t want to have to walk up and down. The pools are smaller, marginally warmer than the bottom, and the view is amazing. Note it is pretty hard to get this shot, as there are usually a few people around trying for the same thing.

You can travel to a few more pools upstream that don’t have the views but have less people, and there is a small waterfall right at the back.

Overall Gunlom is easily one of the best places in Kakadu and that is saying something. $10 per person per night, if you are in the NT you don’t want to miss it.

IMG_0098The view from up the top

P1000820Gunlom at the bottom pool

Trip to Kakadu, Gunlom and some lookouts

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5th of July 2014 to 8th of July 2014

Claire and I had secured permits to go to Jarranbarnmi for the weekend, unfortunately a rogue crocodile had forced the Kakadu staff to cancel all permits. We decided to head to Gunlom again, we love it. Did the drive down old Jim Jim Road, was great fun. Got there Saturday arvo and spent it in the lower pool. Spent all of Sunday in the upper pools, GT and Ailsa joined us. Saw a large snake in one of the water pools, that provided a bit of amusement.

Got the fire going on Sunday night, far out the wood burnt quickly. Headed back on Monday and stopped by Gungural and Bukbukluk, Claire didn’t like the walk at Gungural. Liked Bukbukluk a lot better. The trip back was fine, a large tree had fallen across old Jim Jim road, managed to get around by going through the scrub. Okay for Suzi but would have hated to have been towing something.


At the top of Gunlom


At the camp site


One of the lookouts

Kakadu – Ubirr, Maguk, Ikoymarrwa

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Claire and I arrived in Mardugal on Saturday and set up camp. Love that campsite, and we found wood easily. We went to Ubirr for the sunset, which is probably our favourite place in the territory. We then headed back for dinner and a few cold ones. There were a few fires on the drive back.

We spent Sunday in Maguk. We noticed that the midgees had eaten us alive, I think this is a common thing in June at any campground.

Maguk was great, there were quite a few bogans with eskies around, which was a shame, but they mostly kept to the top of the waterfall – although the signs indicated that they weren’t allowed there.

On the way home on Monday we stopped by Ikoymarrwa, it wasn’t marked on any maps, and this was the first time we had been there. It took a bit of finding… and the water was freezing!! Beautiful spot though.


Us at Ubirr

Us driving there, I love this snap

Maguk

Paradise Valley 2014

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Paradise Valley again this year, the last one that the Gell’s will own. We got our canoeing trip it, it was freezing, I have become accustomed to the NT weather faster than I want to admit.

There isn’t much to say about it, it is always great fun.

Those canoe trips always take it out of me!

 

 

Highpants Festival in Dargo

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I was down in Victoria for New Years Eve and I was invited along to a camping festival to celebrate the new year. It is run by some friends on mine from high school. It is pretty difficult to describe to people who haven’t been there, it is camping, loud music and partying, very bright colours, silly costumes (just for the sake of it). I won’t post anything too detailed as I suppose some people may not want their ridiculous attire on the internet, so just a few snaps: the campsite; and a group of us playing in the river:

 

Took the old man’s Pajero complete with car fridge. Definitely a step up from my rig, but a bit out of price range at the moment!

These festivals have been running for a few years, usually on private property and invite only (like this year). This is the second one that I have managed to get to – but hopefully that will change when I move to Victoria!