Hi everyone! It's been a while since I participated in these forums. Between my last post and now, my husband and I have moved from Germany to Singapore.

Last week, realizing that we have a Chinese New Year long weekend coming up, I started a desperate search for somewhere to go. All the popular tropical resort destinations were full or extremely expensive. Then I stumbled upon a cheap ticket to Darwin and we thought why not? We can go to Kakadu! So, without havng done ANY research, we bought the tickets. And now I know why they were (relatively) cheap!

We arrive Darwin on Feb 13 at 4:05 a.m. and depart on Feb 15 at 6:20 p.m. Being the wet season, I think our activity options are quite limited. I e-mailed a travel agent about a private two-day, one-night trip to Kakadu and she quoted me AUD 3000+ for two people!! (We cannot join any of the scheduled tours because of our timing.) Her suggested itinerary includes a Yellow Waters cruise and aboriginal rock art and cultural center walks, but not a lot of nature. I assume this is because it's the wet season.

As this tour seems too expensive, can we realistically do a self drive? What will we be able to see given the time? I understand many of the sites will be closed because it's the wet season. If that's the case, is it worth it to even go to Kakadu?

Alternatively, I did read on another thread here about a scenic flight from Darwin to Kakadu that includes a Yellow Waters cruise. Is this the best option given the tight schedule and season.

What about Litchfield? Can we still do a one-day self drive even though it's the wet season?

Sorry about the many questions ... we feel a little bit like fools now for buying these tickets without doing any research because our whole point was to see Kakadu. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!!

Hmmm ... after posting this, I have done more tour searches. It seems like, while our timing doesn't allow us to join a scheduled two-day, one-night Kakadu tour, there are many companies offering one-day tours from Darwin. What is your opinion about these? Will we be spending a lot of time in a bus/van but not really seeing much? If you do recommend a one-day tour, do you have a recommendation for an operator? Thank you!!

I posted a reply on your page but it must have got lost in space so I've got to start again although I have done a bit more research for you since. My partner has been to Kakadu and says that the drive from Darwin to Kakadu is about 3 hours to the gate.She suggests that you hire a car, the road ie sealed all the way from Darwin . She suggests that you stay the 2 nights in Cooinda(within the park). Accommodation at Kakadu Lodge would be $300 for the two nights for two people and at Gagudiju Lodge $400 for 2 nights. She suggests that you do the dawn cruise followed later in the day a visit to rock art at Ubirr or Nourlangie rock.There is also accommodation at Jabiru in the Holiday Inn Resort for about $260 for the 2 nights. Because it is the wet season it will be more spectacular than in the dry. Hopefully the weather will be kind to you. Go for it and lets know what happens. When I searched those accommodation sites a few minutes ago there were vacancies.

Darwin can be a very interesting place in the wet. Just be prepared for hot, humid weather and the possibility of lots of rain but sometimes this is better than the build-up to the wet season. Keep a watch on weather forecasts and if tropical downpours are predicted, adjust your itinerary because some of the roads may be closed. Humidity shouldn't be a problem with an air-conditioned car and accommodation.
It is an easy drive from Darwin to Kakadu on a sealed road but remember that you will be tired after your flight. (I think about 300km, but need check that). Try to avoid driving at dusk if you can, due to kangaroos on road - they have no road sense. If weather is OK you can do the round trip to Katherine (stay the night) and come back to Darwin on a different highway - Stuart Highway. Katherine Gorge is easy to access from the town of Katherine. Cruises from near Jabiru or Yellow Waters cruise are worth the money. Ubirr & Nourlangie Rock (from Jabiru) are a good idea.

If the weather turns to wet and roads closed, you will probably be able to get to the Territory wildlife park 40 km south on a good highway or visit Darwin Museum which is certainly worth a visit. Old WW2 tunnels near docks and military museum on headland are also intersting. There is also an aircraft museum on Sturt Hwy.
In Kakadu, we have stayed at the Jabiru Crocodile Hotel and found that very comfortable. In Darwin, hotel at the casino is good and Novatel Atrium in middle of city.

There is plenty of information on the web about Kakadu and you can plan trip according to interests. Enjoy it!

Hi,

Don't worry, the wet season is not a bad time to see Darwin. You have some good ideas given above.

I too recommend that you rent a car and explore. That way you can work around the weather. With two days you can drive to Kakadu and back. Just watch the weather and check road conditions if there have been heavy rains. The roads are good and well marked.

We were there for two nights this time, last year. Yes, it rained big time some of the time, mostly late afternoon and night, but we had a good time. Keep you plans open ended so if you hit a period of heavy road flooding rain like they had two days before we arrived, you can change to plan "B".

We flew in at noon Day 1 and rented a car at the airport. Our plan was a self drive to Litchfield on Day 2, our only full day. With two days you have more options and could go to Kakadu. The first afternoon we explored around town on foot and with the car. The rain was off and on and light, so didn't bother us.

Day 2 was cloudy with rain forcast for the late afternoon. So we drove out to Litchfield for the day, well worth the trip. There were walking trails and people swimming in the swimming holes, so if that interest you take your swim wear. It is a nice park and very interesting, about 90 monutes, maybe a little more from Darwin. There is also a second road that could make it a loop drive, but that you will need to check to be sure that road is open. Also there are cultural daily boat trips out to one of the islands, can't remember the name.

The morning of day 3 we caught the Ghan to Adelaide. That day we made a stop in Katherine for a boat ride on the Gorge which was neat, since the water was running high from all the rain.

If you want to see our pictures and daily report of our days in Darwin area, go to:

www.aroundtheworldin132days.blogspot.com

Clik on Feb and scroll down to Feb 5 & 6 for Darwin and Feb 7 for Katherine's Gorge.

Have a good time...Australia is great!

Great blog, cwn!

Ngodeia, I agree with the others - go for it. Living in Singapore, you'll be accustomed to those short sharp torrential downpours, and a fair amount of humidity.
If you haven't found it already, this is a handy link http://en.travelnt.com/

Darwin's an interesting city, especially if you're interested in art & history. The Cultural Centre is very well worth a visit.

Eating: There's a great bistro at the Darwin Sailing Club - right on the water. Casual & you don't need to be a member. http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/re...ontbistro.aspx

Darwin Wharf Precinct: Can't remember the name of the restaurant, but there are lots of very casual, good quality spots. I had the best barramundi I've ever eaten there.

Something special: Pee Wee's at the Point. Great for a late dinner if you're flying out in the wee small hours. http://www.peewees.com.au/

I was in Darwin just before the wet and would go back now if I had the chance, to see the country with all the waterways full. It is a unique part of the world and, provided you're prepare to 'go with the flow' (literally, sometimes), I think you'll have just as good an experience as cwn.

Please jot down some notes for us when you come back.

cwn,
You mentioned trips to the islands from Darwin.
Islands are the Tiwi Islands -- an interesting boat trip out of Darwin.
Full day boat trip & tour of islands with aboriginal culture. Lunch on boat is usually provided. We went there last year and found it very interesting. Boats leave from Cullen Bay.

Thanks olivetta,

I was having a senior moment yesterday and couldn't think of the inland's name. That is exactly what I was talking about. It did sound interesting, we just didn't have time to do it.

Bokhara,

Thanks for the kind comment. It was fun to do and has really helped us keep all the details fresh.

Where were you and your great food recommendations last year. I was pleasantly surprised with the number of good places to eat in Darwin.

The thing about the water that really got to us was the flood markers on the perfectly flat highways with marks to 6 meters! Where did the water come from, we asked. Then it rained later in the day...OK that answered that!

As we rode the train down to Katherine the next day the "lakes" that were fast moving rivers of water with lush green tree tops were mind boggling! We are so glad we went to Darwin.

Ndogeia...have fun!

"The thing about the water that really got to us was the flood markers on the perfectly flat highways with marks to 6 meters! Where did the water come from, we asked. Then it rained later in the day...OK that answered that! "

Yes! Something people not used to the area REALLY need to be aware of. Don't drive through water that's more than a foot deep and if it's really rushing over the road, be very aware that it could have cut a hole in it. If you come to a stretch of water and there are cars sitting on either side of it, DO NOT be the "trailblazer". Chances are, those people know more about the situation than you do. Not to make anyone paranoid; just use caution. Often those fast running rivulets go down as quickly as they come up, so you might only have to wait 30 minutes or so. Lot less inconvenient than being swept off the road & bogged in the mud on the side. Or worse. This goes for all our country roads, not just the NT.

cwn: Sorry, was probably jaunting around somewhere myself & missed your post. Glad you enjoyed your stay in the NT. Very interesting place, isn't it?

Bokhara,

Totally agree. I wish I had realized just how interesting the NT is. We went to Darwin to catch the Ghan south (husband loves trains), but we should have left the US a little earlier and planned a few more days in the NT before heading South.

Hope we get back that way some time.

Do consider doing a flight from Jaiburu to see the falls once in Kakadu-the wet season shows them at their best.