Koolpin Gorge to Twin Falls Walk

Departures: Click here for departure datesTour Size: Minimum 4, Maximum 8
Cost:
     Option 1 - AUD$1400.00 (valid to 31 March 2011) - Per Person - Fully Guided, All Inclusive, 1 night accom
     Option 2 - From AUD$675.00 (valid to 31 March 2011) - Per Person ($4600 for a group of 8)-Guided Only - (Food, Equipment Not Included)
Tour Code: KTN5
Inclusions:
     Option 1 - All Inclusive - Click here to see what we provide , 1 night accommodation in Katherine
     Option 2 - Guided Only - Guide, Katherine Pick up & Darwin Drop off, Camping, Permit & Ferry Fees

Suitable For: Fit and active people with some bushwalking experience  (no extended bushwalking experience is necessary)

The Koolpin Gorge to Twin Falls walk is a remote and beautiful walk through the heart of Southern Kakadu. The walk is restricted via permits and you are guaranteed complete exclusivity. This trip starts in Katherine. We meet at a local Hotel on the evening prior to our transfer to Kakadu on the next morning.

The walk follows the Koolpin Creek and then crosses a plateau to join up with the Twin Falls Creek. Expect to be walking over rock plateaus, through woodland and camp in areas very few people have camped before. The walk is untracked, utilising map and compass navigation along the way. It covers highland creek country, hillsides dotted with dry land eucalypts, escarpment country overlooking Kakadu and beyond and pockets of paperbark forests where the temperature drops and you find yourself sitting in a cool comfortable environment. Arriving at the top of Twin Falls on day 5, you will be able to take some amazing photos of the gorge area before heading back to Darwin.

Itinerary

Using top quality equipment and qualified, accredited guides, this trip covers approximately 50 kilometres of stunning hiking. Wildlife encounters, self sufficient ‘backpack’ camping, fantastic service, - it all adds up to being a unique experience. A trip you may never forget.Meet and Greet Night: - We meet at a local Hotel the night prior to departure to get to know each other and cover some logistical information.

Day 1 – L,D Camping
Your friendly guide will pick-up you up at 7 am approximately in a 4WD vehicle from your Katherine accommodation, where you will be transferred to Kakadu National Park and into Koolpin Gorge and the 5 day hike. This drive from Katherine will take approx. 4 hours.

Days 2,3,4 – B,L,D, Camping
The walk follows Koolpin Creek and then crosses a plateau to join up with Twin Falls Creek. Expect to be walking over rock plateaus, through woodland and camp in areas very few people have camped before. The walk is untracked, utilising map and compass navigation along the way. It covers highland creek country, hillsides dotted with dry land eucalypts, escarpment country overlooking Kakadu and beyond and pockets of paperbark forests where the temperature drops and you find yourself sitting in a cool comfortable environment.

You will hike approximately 10 kilometres per day in untracked, remote areas, completely dependant of your campsite destinations, which can be reached between 12 pm and 2 pm each day. On arriving at camp you are free to relax, swim, read and enjoy the beauty of your surrounds. Each campsite has its own water source.Each day will also present to you a new set of challenges (nothing too big mind), there will be flat open country on the top of the escarpment where we can easily see where the creeks flow. Something new around every corner. We will also be introduced to some of the aboriginal art along the trail. Some of the art is easier to get to than others.

Day 5 – B,L
Arriving at the top of Twin Falls, you will be able to take some amazing photos of the gorge area before heading out to the vehicle where you will be met by your driver (approx. 3pm) and transferred in a 4WD vehicle back to your Darwin accommodation (arrive approx. 8pm).

Fact Sheet

The Area (Katherine Region)Katherine: 324 kilometres south of Darwin, Northern Territory.

The Jatbula Trail is located within the boundaries of Nitmiluk National Park, following the Seventeen Mile Valley from Nitmiluk Gorge to Edith Falls. The local Flora and Fauna is prolific and the scenery is varied and beautiful. The Katherine River, Seventeen Mile Creek and the Edith River flow all year round and during the long drty-season, become the only water sources for all manner of wildlife. The Katherine Region is a terrific place to visit and base your Northern Territory experience from. We are close to The Kimberley, Gregory National Park, Elsey National Park, Manyallaluk, Kakadu Heritage Area and of course, right on our doorstep, is the magnificent Katherine/Flora/Daly River System.

Where We Stop

We are totally self sufficient giving us the luxury of being selective with our resting points, campsites however are designated due to the status of the National Park. There's plenty of time to relax, swim, bird watch, encounter wildlife and appreciate the scenery. We regularly access these sites with group sizes of 2-8, ensuring that we have minimal impact on the environment. On the trail we are sharing sites with other hikers, numbers on the trail are generally small allowing groups to spread out and have their own area.

How Far, How Long, When?

The 5 day hike covers approx 59km between Nitmiluk Gorge and Edith Falls. The trail does not follow Nitmiluk, it actually tracks away from the gorge following 17 Mile Creek. Tours operate during the 'TOP END' dry-season, April to October. The temperature ranges from 24 C to 39 C, but the nights from June to August can be cool, dropping to 5 degrees Celsius.

Tour Accommodation

We are fully self-sustained while on the trail. While hiking we stop at designated camping sites. You are supplied with:A screen tent – for those who wish to sleep inside – you can still see the stars
A 3⁄4 length ‘Thermarest’ self inflating mattressA sleeping bag which can be fully opened
A liner (or sheet) and pillow, a torch, mosquito repellent

While we are on the hiking tour we forgo chairs and tables along with grills and camp ovens. We cook with small fuel burning stoves allowing us to have hot meals and hot drinks throughout the tour.

The MealsBreakfasts consist of cereals/porridge/oatmeal
Dinners are typical light weight meals cooked on a fuel stoveLunches are ‘sandwich’ or ‘wrap’ style (normally crisp breads)
Tea, Coffee and Hot chocolate are available at campThe guide will do the washing up (unless you really want to help)

What You Need to Bring

We recommend that you pack lightly and limit the space required. A packing list will be provided for you. For your personal gear we provide a 75 litre backpack, (ruck sack), or you may wish to use your own. You will only need minimal clothing – you can rinse items out daily. Keep things as
light and small as possible to compensate for food & water.

The Group Size

We travel with no more than 8 people on tour, (unless it is a specific group booking).

Getting to Katherine

Catch the Ghan trainCatch the Greyhound bus
Hire/drive a car
Book a 1 day tour with Travel North through the popular Litchfield National Park

Getting back to Darwin

Why not try this; An all inclusive 2 day adventure through the famous ‘Kakadu World Heritage Park’. Travel North will show you some of the top spots in the park whilst accommodating you comfortably in their semi permanent tented camp.