susncrg

We will be in Australia in early April 2009 to meet up with our dive group in Cairns. We did some touring around that area during our last trip, so this time we would like to add on a trip to Kakadu. DH does not want to self drive, so a 4 day tour to Kakadu, Litchfield and Arnhemland that's offered by Lord's looks interesting, but likely expensive (they haven't sent me the pricing yet).

1. Does anyone have experience with this company or recommendations for other tour guides they have used?

2. Will the weather be at all friendly this time of year?

3. Would it be more interesting to visit this area rather than Cooktown/Jowalbinna area which is closer to Cairns and wouldn't require the extra flight?

4. Hotel recommendations for Darwin?

Any helpful hints greatly appreciated.

Bushranger

I have not used Lords but I was in Darwin earlier in the year and did a off road touring/camping trip into Kakadu.

In early April, the weather is unlikely to be kind to you and I would certainly not go forking out in advance a heap of money as tours will be somewhat limited in early April if not a lot so dependant on the strength and duration of the "wet" season which you'll be right at the end of and humidity will be very high.

A lot of the unsealed Kakadu roads are kept closed by the national park and thus you would be limited to places like Ubirr Rock and Yellow Waters if they were open as flooding of the sealed roads can also occur, and it could be a lot of driving to see very little, and I'd be surprised if you could get very far into Arnhem Land.

You'll have more success in getting into Litchfield National Park.

If you want to take the 30C+ temperature along with the humidity and chance that the wet has actually ended, my approach would be to go to Darwin and see what was being offered in the way of "green" tours as they are termed - mind you, a lovely time of the year re the vegetation and all - why tours then are termed "green", but you'll not likely be able to get into any of the gorges within Kakadu.

I'm not familiar with the Cooktown/Jowalbinna area but if it is anything like the rainforest country of the Daintree, that'll be different to Kakadu in particular because though further north Kakadu only has pockets of vigourous growth around gorges and most of the countryside is a drier scrubbier type woodlands or huge grassed floodplains where the rivers run to the sea, similar to further north on the York Peninsula.

It'll also be warm and humid but you know what to expect from having been there before.

susncrg

Thanks Bushranger. I was afraid of that but unfortunately, that's when I have to be there. We're used to heat and humidity when we travel, but it sounds like travel at the top might be quite limited. Any other suggestions before I get my plane tix?

We're open to anything. I like day hiking, native cultures, beautiful scenery and fun & adventure (not involving bungees!).

northie

we did a trip in Kakadu in March and whilst it's hot (isn't it always) and humid to see the area in the wet is fab. The tours just use more boats and go over the roads, then connect with road transport which is left parked on the other sides of the water.Also did a plane flight over the falls -spectacular to see them in the wet. So different seeing the area in the wet and dry .

susncrg

Northie- Thanks. Can you tell me more about your itinerary and what you liked best?

wlzmatilida

Hi Susncrg!

I haven't heard of Lords before, and I don't know exactly what you'd like to see/do in Kakadu, but I can recommend this company --

take a look at this link and see if this is something you'd be interested in:

http://www.aatkings.com/us/index.php...n_tour_id=2806

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

susncrg

Thanks Melodie-
I checked it out and like other tour operators, they don't run the trips until May due to impassable roads, etc, during the wet season.

Since you're an Aussie specialist, do you know anything about the trips out of Cairns that go to the rock art galleries and Quinkan area? For that matter, any recommendations for that area would be appreciated since it seems Kakadu's not a good choice for that time of year.

Bushranger

Even north of Cairns Susie there's potential road problems as though there's a sealed inland route going into Cooktown, the Cape road up to Laura and beyond is not always going to be negotiable, especially the closer to the end of the wet season dependent on it's strength and that varies year by year as does the duration.

If I was to give you a prediction I might say that based on us having had a drought for a number of years, the early wet weather to date could be telling us we're in for a big drought breaking "wet" that of couse the global warming protagonists will tell us it's how it is all going to be!!http://www.quinkancc.com.au/site/rockart/ mentions tours only between mid April is it to November and their mid April could be optimistic.

http://www.jowalbinna.com.au/ for instance looks the ants pants but is only available from May.

Somewhere like http://undara.com.au/ would be more accessible and combining that with the daintree - www.capetribbeach.com.au would be OK.

Otherwise, if you still wanted a taste of the top, there'd still be Litchfield, Katherine Gorge area and the Tiwi Islands.

I'm interested in northies experience off the tours using boats for whilst I can imagine some possibility of that being done by the locals living in Kakadu and "green" tours, with most tours based in Darwin the cost of having transport either side of flooded rivers would be enormous and the crocdile danger likewise, and you still would not get into a lot of areas and even one of the main camping areas has had water a couple of feet over its normal surface and with crocs inhabitaing the Yellow Waters there, it'd be no place to be wearing gum boots.

wlzmatilida

Hi again Susncrg!

As it appears you're scrapping your first idea of going to Kakadu and have asked me for other alternatives, I'd like to suggest this company -
www.guurrbitours.com.

I don't think you can do much better than going with Willie Gordon...his knowledge is extensive. Last year I had clients with two kids that just pummelled him with him and they had all sorts of questions - (they were completely fascinated), and he was patient with the kids and answered everything they asked (and MORE), and gave them a fantastic tour.

My clients did the 2 Day Fly/Drive Rainbow Serpent tour, which included pick up in Port Douglas at 8:30A, up to Cooktown, and then I arranged for them to be dropped off in Cairns because they had a flight out to Sydney the next morning. This was a 3 week trip for them, and the Mom told me it was the highlight, so there ya go!

btw, if it's of any interest, they've been listed as one of the top "150 Things to do in Australia".

If you decide to go with them, send your request to the attention of Judy Bennett and tell her that I recommended them - I'd just like her to know I'm continuing to support them as a great tour!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

northie

re Kakadu-there are tours in the wet as I can vouch having been on one and other members of my family who lived in Darwin have as well.
Try thes esites -travelaust.com.au , kakadu tours.com , aatkings , TravelINT.com, Territory Discoveries.com, . I have stayed at Quest apartments in Darwin -central, lovely pool and very clean and comfortable.
In the wet I visited and loved Ubirr, stayed at Jabiru, Nourlangie Rock, did a Yellow Water cruise and a flight over the Falls spectacular.

susncrg

Thanks all. I will check out those websites. In the meantime, for your perusal and critique, here's an itinerary that's been submitted to me - very expensive - but what do you think of the general plan, given the wet season?

Bushranger

northie
"re Kakadu-there are tours in the wet as I can vouch having been on one and other members of my family who lived in Darwin have as well."

I know that northie and a few operators refer to them as green tours but they are restricted I'd suspect to the plaves you mention and I was particularly interested in how the tour operators structure their tour re crossing flooded areas! - like you actually went on tours that had you leaving a vehicle parked one side of a flooded area and then they had another vehicle waiting the other side?

And Susi, you didn't post your itinerary!

susncrg

Oops!

Day One: 6th/April

This morning your driver will collect from your accommodation (8.00) before we begin making our way south for a short time on the Stuart Highway until we turn left on to the Arnhem Highway which leads to the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park . Our first stop en route is Fogg Dam Reserve, Fogg Dam has year round water coverage which assures its position as an important feeding and roosting site for a wide variety of both water birds and other animals. Next we travel onto the Adelaide River where we have the opportunity to witness the fabulous jumping crocodiles and other wildlife. These Saltwater Crocodiles are a magnificent sight - these animals are surprisingly powerful as they can project their bodies almost totally out of the water - you will gain a good understanding of why they have survived for more then two hundred million years! This serves as a great introduction to how wild the Top End still is today.

Lunch is at the Bark Hut Inn; this Aussie Roadhouse was built during the buffalo era and is a reminder of earlier, wilder times.

Our last stop for today is at Cooinda - here we will experience one of Kakadu’s icons - a Yellow Water Cruise. This 10sq. km pristine environment supports a truly wonderful variety of plants, birds, crocodiles and Top End wildlife. The wildlife on this pristine billabong is too numerous to mention, you may see saltwater crocodiles, a Jacana bird walking on water, the magnificent sea eagle or any one of the many other 280 species that call this billabong home. Here we will witness at close hand the wealth of wildlife in this tranquil habitat and enjoy one of the Top Ends great sunsets.

Overnight: Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru (L)





Day Two:

Today we will take a Helicopter flights to Arnhemland. (The roads will be cut) Aboriginal Lands ( Arnhem Land ) access to this area is restricted to a select group of tour operators.

Visitors to Arnhem Land are able to experience a fascinating mixture of traditional and living culture. Arnhem Land is perhaps the one area in Australia where indigenous culture is still dominant, despite a long history of interaction with other cultures, for example the Macassens who visited the shores of Arnhem Land for more then five hundred years to harvest sea slug. They came by sailing boats from Indonesian Island of Sulawesi and left their legacy with the Aboriginal people.

Then the Europeans, their impact on Aboriginal people was more far reaching and profound. Arnhem Land today has weathered all the storms and it has managed to stay as a last frontier and homeland of around 20.000 people.

While we are in Arnhem Land a traditional Aboriginal guide will show you excellent examples of rock art on Injalak Hill (Long Tom Dreaming), this area has some of the best rock art examples in Western Arnhem Land and some say Australia . The view from the top of the hill is simply breathtaking, looking out across the floodplains and around the escarpment. When we farewell our Aboriginal guide back at the Injalak Art & Craft Centre there is an opportunity to browse or purchase goods from this non-profit Aboriginal organisation. At the award winning Injalak Arts and Crafts Centre there is time to watch the traditional Aboriginal people painting and to see the women weaving pandanus baskets.

(Please note this tour requires a reasonable amount of balance and agility)

Overnight: Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru (L)





Day Three:

This morning we head to Nourlangie Rock which is part of the area known as the Mt. Brockman Massif. Archaeologist’s estimate that the ancient living shelter at Nourlangie Rock was been used during the wet season as far back as 20,000 years ago. The area has a number of cave sites and there is evidence of quarries where the local Aborigines made their stone implements. The Anbangbang Gallery where depictions of Namarrgon the 'Lightning Man' and Nabulwinjbulwinj, a dangerous spirit who eats females after striking them with a yam, make it one of the most interesting galleries in the park. The other gallery is Namarrgon the Lightning Man. is a fascinating character who wears his lightning as a band connecting his arms, legs and head. The stone axes on his knees and elbows make the thunder.

After lunch we will visit Warrandjan Cultural Centre– this excellent centre displays the creation era as interpreted by the Bininj (Aboriginal) people - Kakadu’s traditional owners tell their stories through the displays. Also local arts and crafts are on display and for purchase.

We then head onto Bamurru Plains which is an exclusive wildlife experience on the magnificent Mary River floodplains. Located on Swim Creek Station, this safari-style camp is surrounded by savannah woodland teeming with an amazing assortment of wildlife, reptiles and birds. The camp boasts of comfortable free-standing rooms that are spacious and expose guests to the sounds of the floodplains, a dining area with commanding views across the vast wetlands, a 10 metre wet edge pool and a library. The focus of your stay at Bamurru is in the environment around you and the wildlife and birdlife for whom it is home. Each individual safari suite is designed to blend with the surrounding bush and as such exposes guests to the sights and sounds of the bush around you, whether it is the haunting call of a Whistling Kite, the raucous cacophony from the Blue-winged Kookaburras as dawn breaks or the sound of a full grown buffalo splashing its way through the floodplains just a short distance from your bed. The morning chorus of tens of thousands of Magpie Geese, after whom the camp is named, is an experience in itself. The Mary River catchments are home to some 236 species of bird, many of which are found at Bamurru Plains. The significance of this particular property comes in the variety of habitat: black soil floodplains, paper bark swamps, savannah woodland, river mangroves and coastal beaches support an extraordinary diversity of birdlife.

We will experience a sunset over the floodplains while enjoying a glass of wine.

Overnight: Bamurru Plains (B, L, D)



Day Four:

While we are at the camp we shall enjoy a variety of activities, from airboat rides to a four wheel drive safaris. The floodplains abound with waterfowl, wild buffalo, pigs and wallabies. The floodplains of the Mary River region form one of the most significant ecosystems in Australia . Dominated by the climatic extremes of the tropical monsoon, the wetlands and savannah woodlands that fringe the coastal regions between Darwin and Kakadu National Park harbor an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna. This morning we will take an airboat ride across the floodplains of the Mary River catchments. The key natural feature of this area has some of the most important in the country, home to thousands of Magpie Geese, Plumed Whistling-Duck, Egrets, Ibis and a host of other birds. A morning trip out on the plains in an airboat is utterly exhilarating and the only way to truly experience this environment. We have the opportunity to explore one of the few remaining stations close to Kakadu National Park .

Return to Darwin . (B, L)

Bushranger

Seems reasonable enough for a wet season tour susi and a pity they do not have Ubirr Rock on the itinerary though that could be a precaution if the Border road is considered to be one of the first to flood.
Nourlangie Rock is a a gentler slope climb but still one requiring some effort and will be especially so given likely humid conditions.

When I was at Cooinda this year you could see the "tide" mark of the cyclonic rains weather of the wet season prior to most recent and it was a couple of feet or so above roads areas there, it all being very flat.

I would enquire as to your booking what the guarantee/refund situation is to be if weather prevents all or parts of the trip, and good chance you do not even need to book any trips ahead and see what is available on arrival in Darwin for that time of year they will be eager for business and could be some great standby deals but no so much at higher fee end of market - they probably work on principle of people coming that time of year are coming particularly for the wet/near wet experience and charge accordingly: eg. http://www.ntstandby.com.au/index.cg...earch&cb=1 , but could give you an idea of alternate pricing.

northie

sounds a wonderful trip. We did not see one crocodile in the wet season in Kakadu but lots of croc nests and birds. The beauty of boating in the wet is that you go to some areas that you would not go to in the dry.

stormbird

Hi susn,

Would you mind telling us how much they are asking for that tour? It does include a chopper ride, which can be expensive here in Oz. I'm curious to know thanks!

susncrg

With the chopper ride, etc, it was over $7k. Gasp! It would be at least $1k less to change the itinerary to something else on the second day, that would mean skipping the Arnhemland segment. Please give me your thoughts on this. I have no idea what others charge for a similar itinerary or if others do as good an itinerary. Thanks.

kiwi_rob

Hi, susncrg. We did a Kakadu tour with Odyssey Tours in July a few years back and thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. We left with the intention of going back just after the wet season some time, but haven't made it yet.

One point to note. If you want a non-smoking room in Darwin, be sure to specify that when booking. We had booked the whole trip through our TA who assumed that non-smoking would be the default unless otherwise specified, but we found that, in Darwin, that was not the case. I imagine that the hotels will not be fully booked in April, though, so you shouldn't have any problem switching rooms if this is an issue.

stormbird

$7k - holy guacamole susn! Arnhem land would be a highlight for me.
That certainly is way, way out of my holiday budget but not necessarily the next man's.

Maybe Melodie could give some advice at this point.

Bushranger

Susi
With the chopper ride, etc, it was over $7k. Gasp! It would be at least $1k less to change the itinerary to something else on the second day

Be it $7000 or $6000 without the helicopter you are way beyond rip off territory.

If you have money to throw away, fine, go for it but essentially other than Arnhem Land the schedule provided is just those places you can get into in the wet season and certainly not the highlights of Kakadu.

My trip in July was five days to include some of the more accessible gorges/falls etc. and then those that require some offroaing to get to, camping out with campfire dinners etc., no luxury but if you want to see what the others do not you forego some luxury and pain in the bum travelling in smaller 4WD vehicles but you will not get into those places in the wet close down period.

I put a link above which gives a broad range of pricing including some that have helicopters involved and generally you are looking at half or less than half of what has been offered to you.

Because of possible weather cancellations I would want to know what guarantees are on offer and even then I would not be forking out any sums of money in advance - if there was a cyclonic low in the area, you could even have problems getting to Darwin and then if you get there and into Kakadu and have problems getting out what will that do to your diving plans!

Best of luck!