Kakadu Early Dry Season Tour

1 Day: Early Dry Season – April and May 2012

Kakadu Day by Day

If green is your favourite colour, visiting Kakadu National Park in the early dry season is an absolute must!

Join us on a trip to some of Kakadu’s hidden treasures, explore the lush monsoonal rainforest in the gorges along the Arnhemland escarpment and the crystal clear creeks of our choice destinations during the months of April and May.

Will you spot a Rainbow Pita?

Share your guide’s knowledge of Kakadu National Park with its changing landscapes and distinct ecosystems.

Our typical early dry season itinerary comprises visits to:

Motor Car Falls, Boulder Creek and/or Gunlom
Gubara and Maguk
Gunlom, Ikoymarrwa and/or Maguk

The itinerary for tours during April and May are subject to cultural and seasonal conditions, water levels and Kakadu National Park’s rangers’ progress with their annual mandatory crocodile surveys. These decisions are made at your guide’s discretion. Your itinerary includes some of these special locations:

Ikoymarrwa

Only a small number of tour operators are permitted to visit this lesser known gem in the southern part of Kakadu National Park.

Ikoymarrwa, also known as Moline Rockhole, is a very special little place and well worth a visit.

Ikoymarrwa

A shady, lush, leafy green monsoon forest, home to hundreds of butterflies, awaits you here. The spring-fed Rockhole Creek gushes down the escarpment into this gorgeous little plunge pool year round, which is safe for swimming.

Read our blog post on Ikoymarrwa to find out more!

Yurmikmik

Learn about Kakadu’s diverse flora and fauna on a bushwalk to Motor Car Falls and/or Boulder Creek in the Yurmikmik area of the southern Mary River district.

Be on the lookout for Gouldian finches, a threatened species we regularly encounter on this walk. Cool down in the plunge pool at Motor Car Falls before completing the easy 6km bushwalk. A short drive takes us to our next destination.

Gunlom

Fancy a hike to the top of the Arnhemland escarpment at Gunlom?

Cooling off on Gunlom Escarpment

There’s time to enjoy a splash in the picturesque rock pools above the falls after lunch. Alternatively, unwind with a short stroll to the plunge pool and its crystal-clear water and sandy beach.
Bring your goggles to check out the numerous species of freshwater fish!

Gubara

Mertens Water Monitor takes the plunge.

The pleasant 6km return walk will take you past dramatic sandstone cliffs into the midst of the monsoonal rainforest of Gubara. Its cascading creeks and gorgeous rock pools are safe for swimming.

Try spotting the endemic Banded Fruit-dove in the canopy of the large Anbinik trees, or get that perfect shot of a Mertens Water Monitor lazing around on a rock.

Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)

When seasonal conditions permit, a visit of Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) is on the itinerary.

The plunge pool at Maguk

The easy 2km return walk wanders through monsoonal rainforest and along the rocky and sandy banks of the creek. The picturesque plunge pool and stunning waterfall makes this one of our favourites!

Will the elusive Rainbow Pitta make an appearance? We can always count on the Spangled Drongos, Sulfur-crested Cockatoos and a whole bunch of other creatures great and small!

For the keen traveller, there is the slightly more demanding but also highly rewarding hike to the cascading rock pools above the plunge pool. The view from the top of the escarpment is magnificent – and a dip in the clear water of the pools very refreshing.

Important Information

Top End Explorer Tours visit these destinations starting from 01 April 2011 until the opening of the Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls precinct in the dry season. The switch to our dry season program generally happens in June each year, depending on seasonal conditions.

We travel with a minimum of two (2) passengers.

Gunlom Falls

Your guide will collect you from your accommodation in the township of Jabiru at 06:45, or from Gagudju Lodge Cooinda (Home of Yellow Waters) at 07:30.

It’s worth getting up early to see Kakadu’s stunning gorges and waterfalls! A full day is spent in the great outdoors with return to your accommodation from approximately 17:00.

The actual itinerary on the day is subject to cultural and seasonal conditions, water levels and Kakadu National Park’s rangers’ progress with their annual mandatory crocodile surveys. Please observe our terms and conditions!

We recommend that you read Kakadu National Park’s official information on visitor safety and responsibilities.

If you require any additional information or would like to enquire about group travel or private charter tours, please use the booking enquiry form in the sidebar and we will get back to you ASAP!