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After leaving Katherine we headed for Kakadu not sure where we would stay or end up.
Arriving at Pine Creek and hoping to fill up with LPG we find out that the very documented Kakadu map from the tourist bureau is very outdated, NO GAS!!! WTF NT come on!!!
We turn into Kakadu and the first stop is Mary River Roadhouse - Goymarr we head in to buy our Kakadu pass but they dont have any left so we head on, it is very barren and pretty burnt out by the seasonal burn.
We head of to Gunlom being the next possible stop - the road in is dreadful and not suitable for the Caravan or any van actually we turn around after 3kms which has taken about 15mins. The next place we try is Gungurl and this is nothing but a big car park with a few vans there and again the whole area is completely burnt down, our first impressions of Kakadu is weird as so far the scenery has been a bit of a disappointment. Needless to stay we push on.
The Jim Jim Falls road has been closed due to road being wet but also because a croc has taken a 62 year old male whilst fishing in his boat. Yeeeek!!
We finally come to Cooinda Lodge a beautiful resort with accomodation to suit everyone, excitedly as we approach reception area the LPG gas bowser sits there proud and tall but with a NO GAS sign attached to it. It has been there for 3 years and has never worked - I think it was never turned on actually as the big gas tank sits sadly in the carpark. We try to buy a pass for the park and they have also run out! Oh Dear NT what is your problem?
We stay at the resort for 4 night they have a special on stay 4 pay 3 sounds fair.
We enjoy a beautiful dawn sunrise on the Yellow River followed by a very big buffet breakfast and took a scenic flight over much of the Kakadu ranges, over Jabiru and the mine site and over the Alligator Bridge and river. So many crocs from the air it is a bit scary, 13 just on my side of the plane.
Jim Jim Falls road has opened and we think about doing the trip in it says it will take 2 hours one way, the vanners next to us and a bit older than us have just come back from doing it and yes true it will take 2 hours to get in, the last 5 kms taking 1 hour to do - yep gravel the size of soccer balls and then a very steep climb over rocks to get to the waterfall, they are b*****ed. Needless to say did we really want to see another waterfall that bad - it guess you know the answer to that.
So instead we spend the petrol money in Mimi's fine dining and enjoy the most amazing meal cooked by the French chef - ooh lah lah. Divinly cooked Barra with a Duck Tortellini and Chocolate Fondant to die for.
We leave Cooinda with lovely memories and head to Jabiru with plans of maybe staying overnight, the bakery was great and that was it, although the grounds at the police station are immaculate and other government areas and of course the Croc shaped hotel, which really can only been seen properly from the air, the town simple has no appeal. This is our final spot to buy a park pass considering that it is the right thing to do but the whole town is just down no power!!!! and so we move on and finally come to the final gates of Kakadu - very strange as you leave the park there isnt even a sign to say thank you or now you are leaving the park - Kakadu vs Karijini a no brainer.
Where to next not sure?
love to all
Alida and Mal
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