Kakadu/Katherine/El Questro
 

We are visiting Australia from 4 Jul - 24 Jul. We are spending some time in Sydney on both ends of the trip and the middle will be to Kakadu/Katherine and ElQuestro. Here's what we are struggling with an would appreciate some advice...

Current trip has us landing in Darwin on 8 July (about 1pm) and driving to Kakdu and spending 3 nights in Kakadu (Lakeview Park), then 2 nights in Katherine (Knotts Crossing), 1 night in Kununurra and 3 nights at El Questro before hopping a flight back to Darwin on 17 July for an (ugh) 2:30 AM flight (on the 18th!) back to Melbourne and then Sydney. Here's what I would like suggestions on:

1. Worthwhile things to do in all places...(know about the Yellow River Cruises and Jim JIM and Twin Falls in Kakadu and the gorge cruises in Katherine)
2. Does anyone know about the places we've booked lodging
3. Are we seriously compromised by changing our arrival date in Darwin to 9 July (11:40 pm)and thus spending 2 nights in Kakdu, 2 nights in Katherine and 3 nights at El Questro

Thanks for any advice!!!!

PS: We lived in Australia for 4 years and the Top End is "the only" place we never got to. We are used to the distances to drive..have 3 kids...19,16,13..all love the outdoor and hiking and exploring...

Hi Peter,
Just a couple of random thoughts:
If you can swing it, I think Darwin is worth a day. Their Cultural Centre and Museum are both very interesting. I think your kids would be fascinated by the Vietnamese boats and the Cyclone Tracy room (Recorded sounds of the cyclone, reproduced in a pitch black corrugated iron room), pictures and items from the cyclone.
There are also some very good examples of Aboriginal Art - the Telstra Indigenous Art prize is hung in, I think, the museum. There is a very good 'hop on/hop off' open sided bus/tuk tuk manned by remarkably knowledgeable local guides and I'd thoroughly recommend a circuit on it.

On your last night - there's an open air cinema near the water, and Pee Wee's at the Point is a great place for the late, late dinner pre 'red eye' flight. Very good eateries along the wharves and also at Cullen Bay (cheaper, fewer tourists along the wharves.) Try the local barramundi. You won't get better anywhere! Mindil Markets, down near the Casino - wonderful mix of Australian/Asian/Islander foods, clothes, jewellery, etc.

Darwin Sailing Club - don't need to be a member ... right on the water.
Excellent meals, very reasonable - good family atmosphere.

If you're in Sydney for a few days, I'd suggest taking a serviced apartment, perhaps in Manly, Milsons Point, Rushcutters Bay or somewhere just out of the CBD. Alternatively, you might look at the World Centre (someone will correct me on this name, hopefully) near Liverpool/Goulburn streets. They have some excellent 3 bedroom apartments at pretty reasonable rates.

I usually use www.wotif.com.au to check specials, but there are other sites. Someone posted one a few days ago which looked pretty good.

Ditto Bokhara's suggestion of spending some time in Darwin. In addition to the places he's mentioned, I'd recommend feeding the fish at Aquascene. You might think it sounds like a "kiddie" activity, but when we last visited Darwin, my kids were 17 and 14 and they had a great time (as did my husband and I). Another good place to eat is Tim's Surf and Turf. You'll probably need to book in advance or go early to get a table.
We've been to Katherine twice and we enjoyed canoeing at Katherine Gorge NP, swimming and picnicking at Edith Falls NP, doing the Crocodile Night Adventure in Katherine and touring Cutti-Cutti Cave. If you decide to do the canoe trip, you must book your canoes in advance because they are seldom, if ever, any available on a walk-up basis. Going to Edith Falls is a MUST especially since it does not appear you will be visiting Litchfield NP outside of Darwin. I'd suggest hiking to the upper pools first for a swim and then doing your picnic and swim in the lower pool afterwards. The scenery on the hike to the upper pools is amazing! Try to go on a weekday as I understand it gets quite crowded on the weekends. The Crocodile Night Adventure is not-to-be-missed. You boat up the river and use spotlights to see crocs on the banks. Then there's a tasty BBQ dinner under the stars and, generally, an up-close visit with a croc. (We booked our canoe rental and Crocodile Night Adventure through Travel North.)
I think 2 days each in Kakadu and Katherine should suffice. I am unfamiliar with Kununurra and El Questro, but if you can cut a day from either of those to add a day in Darwin, I'd do it.

THanks for the advice to both of you...great suggestions

did anyone mention darwin's botanical garden? it's lovely for unique baobob trees, manageable and, if i recall, just across the road from mindl markets, so it makes an easy combo.

en route there are some roadside attractions between darwin and kakadu- croc tours and a nice park for birds, forget the name but worthwhile for a leg stretch..

in kakadu get a map and do the hikes to the wall paintings and the other around the perimeter of a lake. very pretty rock climb near that one, too.

the stretch between katherine and kakadu very bleak...fuel up (on food and drinks) before your journey.

lucky you...why did you get to live in oz for 4 years?

kerikeri :)

KeriKeri....job transfer took us to Oz...probably the best 4 years of our lives!!! Thanks for your advice

I disagree with the suggestion of dropping a day from El Questro and that area because of all the places in Australia that has to be the most magnificent and missed by many tourists because it is a long distance away from anywhere. Have a look at the El Questro web site and see the tours you can get from there and also do a search on Kununarra and surrounds because I think you will be surprised at that country around there - it is just awesome.

If you have not seen this website then click this: http://www.kimberleytourism.com/kununurra.htm

and then click into the Kimberley site.
Have a great time, I am jealous.

Hi LizzieF,
I should have clarified .. I meant add a day or two to Peter's itinerary, if he could, for Darwin. Like you, I think the Kimberley area is fantastic and nothing would persuade me to drop a nanosecond at ElQuestro if I had the chance to get there.

thanks for your answer!

have fun. kerikeri :)

I'd skip the night in Kununurra, there's not a lot to see or do in the town itself, it's more a base if you're doing the Bungles, Ord Dam, etc

How about visiting Territory Wildlife Park and Berry hot springs?? Only about 40 minutes out of Darwin.

hi there we spent a few nights in a tented cabin at Lakeview Park in Jabiru and enjoyed took our dinners at the local club acrost the road. great food. also spend a night at Coiinda to be up for the first Yellow Waters trip. A great day trip we did through Lord's from Jabiru took us into Arnhemland where we saw great cave painting ( much more than one can access in Kakadu NP

also enjoyed art gallery/ museum in Darwin and the night market at Mindle (sp) Beach

cheers
Andrewdavid

thanks for all the great suggestions!! Andrew thanks for the tip on restaurant