Gunlom – Kakadu

Gunlom

Gunlom is down a 4WD track, that being said a lot of 2WD’s make the trek, despite warnings from the rangers. I’ve saw a bumper broken the last time I was there, but most seem to go okay as long as they go very slow. No way I’d do it though.

The campsite is really good, it has some concrete firepits, running water in the toilet block, and some stone benchtops you can set up on. There was zero firewood around, so I would recommend that you gathered some on the way, like I should have. Even in July, fire is not necessary, but who doesn’t love a fire when they are camping?

Gunlom is two areas, the bottom and the top. The bottom is very accessible, a 50 metre super easy walk. The pool is large, the water is nice. There are some rocks around to sit on. There are usually a few older folks and younger kids around. Kakadu’s freshwater swimming pools vary in temperate, I’d say this one was colder than average.

The top pools are a steep walk up a hill. It takes about 20 minutes, and bring plenty of water and food for the day as you don’t want to have to walk up and down. The pools are smaller, marginally warmer than the bottom, and the view is amazing. Note it is pretty hard to get this shot, as there are usually a few people around trying for the same thing.

You can travel to a few more pools upstream that don’t have the views but have less people, and there is a small waterfall right at the back.

Overall Gunlom is easily one of the best places in Kakadu and that is saying something. $10 per person per night, if you are in the NT you don’t want to miss it.

IMG_0098The view from up the top

P1000820Gunlom at the bottom pool

Dugong Beach

I think Dugong Beach is the best place I have ever been.

Seriously, I think it is #1

You need a boat there, but there is a boat you can pay that picks you up and drops you off, at least there was back in 2011.

The website doesn’t have anything other than some tables so you need to bring everything.

Be careful of the monitor lizards! They will eat anything you leave out, and tear open plastic to get in there.

The walk is something you have to do. Unlike every other walk in existence, the ‘estimate time’ and ‘difficulty’ is accurate. I didn’t bring enough water. The view is something else. You will look at my photos and think they are photoshopped… they are auto function on a cannon powershot d10


Beach site


View from the top


Me at the top