Hi, we will be travelling down from Darwin eventually to Noosa and Ballina on our big Lap. We have already visited a number of National Parks in WA [Cape Range, Karijini, Bungle Bungles], and are wondering if we should visit Litchfield or Kakadu National Park, or both ?
We definitely will go to Bachelor and Litchfield NP, but could backtrack and drive through Kakadu, but wouldn't have much time to spend in Kakadu to do any walks or trips, so would it be worth it just for the drive through Kakadu ??
Any comments would be appreciated, thanks ...
Steve794 said
06:04 PM Jun 27, 2018
Hi Splott, we have been to Lichfield several times and really recommend it. Been to Kakadu once and we subscribe to the Kakadont theory. Sorry to those who have the opposite view
terrola said
06:09 PM Jun 27, 2018
i done the drive thro kakadu did not think it was really worth it.
next time i will make time to do the walks etc
TheHeaths said
07:18 PM Jun 27, 2018
Are you likely to go back to the Top End again?
If yes, then perhaps you can do Kakadu then. If not, then do it now.
You have driven a long way to get there at this moment in time. It has cost a lot of money. Why not do it now. 3 days in Kakadu would allow you to see some of the highlights like Yellow Waters, Nourlangie Rock, Cahills Crossing/Ubirr rock art, and some of the other bits and pieces.
The idea isn't to do the quickest lap. It is to take some time, and see what you can, as you may not get back there, and have already invested a lot of money.
PS. Make sure you do Litchfield, it is a great day trip.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Wednesday 27th of June 2018 07:19:02 PM
Meredith said
07:33 PM Jun 27, 2018
In my opinion both are worth it but Kakadu probably requires more time to really get in and appreciate. But I would suggest a stop in Kakadu and do the walk at Ubirr is still worth it if you don't have much time there. If you aren't going to do anything more than drive down the main road then don't bother, you won't see anything from there. Litchfield has more bits that can be seen on a quick day trip, Wangi Falls, Florence Falls, Bluey Rockholes. But again in my opinion the best bits take longer to explore, generally on longer walks or drives.
Desert Dweller said
07:42 PM Jun 27, 2018
We've spent a total of 6 weeks exploring Kakadu NP in the last 2 years. Fabulous in our opinion.
A must do destination if you're interested in the natural environment.
Unhitch & do day trips to great places.
PeterD said
10:24 PM Jun 27, 2018
The main thing about the Kakadu and Kakadont comes from those who object to paying the entrance fees to Kakadu. The other part of that is there is no where much to swim in Kakadu. The two are completely different parks and they need to be viewed and enjoyed as different places, both are worth seeing. You can't flit through and see much in either one but Kakadu requires more time to get an appreciation.
I would suggest camping at Merl camp ground for two nights and explore the Ubrii area. Then shift camp to Mardukal camp site for three nights. from there you can explore Norlangie area and Yellow Water one day and drive out to Twin Falls on the other (you can swim there.) Both camp sites have nice amenities blocks with solar heated water and lighting.
Splottboy said
10:28 PM Jun 27, 2018
thanks for all your replies
Steve794 said
10:40 PM Jun 27, 2018
Our main reason for not recommending Kakadu was not the cost but most of the best spots were closed. After turning off the main road and driving a few kms in came to signs saying the feature was closed! Would have been good to have that sign at the start of the road. Maybe we went the wrong time of the year. We did enjoy the Yellow Waters cruise, and the camp at Merle.
Desert Dweller said
05:58 AM Jun 28, 2018
Mt Bundy Station at Adelaide River makes a great place to stay & do a day trip to Lichfield NP.
Kakadu is for people who appreciate nature. The $50 entrance fee is well worth it.
Hi, we will be travelling down from Darwin eventually to Noosa and Ballina on our big Lap. We have already visited a number of National Parks in WA [Cape Range, Karijini, Bungle Bungles], and are wondering if we should visit Litchfield or Kakadu National Park, or both ?
We definitely will go to Bachelor and Litchfield NP, but could backtrack and drive through Kakadu, but wouldn't have much time to spend in Kakadu to do any walks or trips, so would it be worth it just for the drive through Kakadu ??
Any comments would be appreciated, thanks ...
i done the drive thro kakadu did not think it was really worth it.
next time i will make time to do the walks etc
Are you likely to go back to the Top End again?
If yes, then perhaps you can do Kakadu then. If not, then do it now.
You have driven a long way to get there at this moment in time. It has cost a lot of money. Why not do it now. 3 days in Kakadu would allow you to see some of the highlights like Yellow Waters, Nourlangie Rock, Cahills Crossing/Ubirr rock art, and some of the other bits and pieces.
The idea isn't to do the quickest lap. It is to take some time, and see what you can, as you may not get back there, and have already invested a lot of money.
PS. Make sure you do Litchfield, it is a great day trip.
-- Edited by TheHeaths on Wednesday 27th of June 2018 07:19:02 PM
A must do destination if you're interested in the natural environment.
Unhitch & do day trips to great places.
The main thing about the Kakadu and Kakadont comes from those who object to paying the entrance fees to Kakadu. The other part of that is there is no where much to swim in Kakadu. The two are completely different parks and they need to be viewed and enjoyed as different places, both are worth seeing. You can't flit through and see much in either one but Kakadu requires more time to get an appreciation.
I would suggest camping at Merl camp ground for two nights and explore the Ubrii area. Then shift camp to Mardukal camp site for three nights. from there you can explore Norlangie area and Yellow Water one day and drive out to Twin Falls on the other (you can swim there.) Both camp sites have nice amenities blocks with solar heated water and lighting.
Mt Bundy Station at Adelaide River makes a great place to stay & do a day trip to Lichfield NP.
Kakadu is for people who appreciate nature. The $50 entrance fee is well worth it.
Here's a link to our trip last year.
http://www.feathersandphotos.com.au/forum/showthread.php?46317-Top-End-Trip-September-2017
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Thursday 28th of June 2018 06:01:12 AM
Thanks so much Steve
Thanks so much Terrola
Thanks for your detailed reply Ian
Thanks Meredith, your reply is very helpful..
Thanks so much.
We cant unhitch though, as we have a Motorhome which makes off road driving difficult...
Hard to give advice without knowing what you're interested in.
If rock art or birds there are sensational easily accessed spots and cruises.
There are first class ranger talks and walks throughout the park covering art, culture and ecosystems.
What's open is easy to see on the web: https://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/access/
-- Edited by Ziggy99 on Friday 29th of June 2018 05:36:22 AM