WURRGENG SEASON
TOURISM INDUSTRY UPDATE # 11
26 June 2012
Above: Maguk waterfall and plunge pool
NEWLY OPENED!
Maguk & Alligator Billabong
We’re pleased to advise we’ve completed crocodile surveys and finalised campground
preparations at Maguk with gates unlocked this morning. Access to Maguk is 4WD
recommended along a 10 km dirt track. Why not explore the 2 km return walk on your
next visit? It runs through monsoon forest and along a sandy and rocky creek leading to a
small waterfall and clear plunge pool. Maguk is also a $5 bush camping site with basic toilet
facilities, barbeque areas and picnic tables. Unfortunately drinking water is not available.
In other news, Alligator Billabong opened on Sunday – access is 4WD only from the
southern access point via the Old Darwin Road. Please drive with care as 0.5 m of water
is over the South Alligator crossing. Alligator Billabong is a suitable destination for boating,
bird watching and free camping (no toilet facilities).
We hope you enjoy these places this coming weekend!
SATELLITE PHONE SUBSIDY
We thought tour operators might be interested in knowing about the Satellite Phone Subsidy
Scheme. It’s an Australian Government initiative to help people living or working outside of
mobile phone coverage to buy satellite mobile phones. It can cover individuals, small
businesses, community groups, not-for-profit organisations, Indigenous corporations,
emergency services, health and education organisations. Eligible applicants must spend 180
days over a two year period outside of terrestrial mobile phone coverage. The application must
be approved before the phone is purchased as the subsidy is paid to dealers, who deduct it
from the retail price of the phone to consumers. For more information visit
www.dbcde.gov.au/mobile_services/the_satellite_phone_subsidy_scheme
or call 1800 674 058.
For more information about Kakadu National Park contact Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 89 381120 or visit our websites
www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/ or www.kakadu.com.au
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NAIDOC WEEK 1-8 July 2012
NAIDOC is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to
recognise the contributions of Indigenous Australians in various fields.
Kakadu will be celebrating with activities across the park for the entire week – from damper
making contests to slideshows, BBQs and cultural activities. Why not come and join us! See
the attached itinerary for more details.
KAKADU ROAD AND ACCESS REPORT
Daily road reports are available on our website: www.kakadu.com.au/access Note: The following forecast times
are based on our best predictions and are likely to change. Please check the road report for the daily update.
Current Forecast to
Visitor Site
Comments
Status
open
Arnhem Highway
Open
Kakadu Highway
Open
Old Darwin/Old Jim Jim Rd
Open
Seasonal cool burning along the highway is scheduled. Drive with
care as there may be smoke and wildlife seeking refuge.
High clearance 4WD only as 0.5 m of water is over the South
Alligator crossing.
East Alligator Region
Ubirr Art Site
Magela Creek (road to Ubirr)
Cahills Crossing
Merl Campground 1 & 2
Bardedjilidji Sandstone Walk
Manngarre Walk
Sandstone & River Walk
Jabiru Region
Burdulba Campground
Malabanjbandju Caravan
Area
Malabanjbandju Tent Area
Illigadjarr Walk
Open
Open
Open
Open
Ubirr art site is open from 8.30 am until sunset daily.
Shallow water across the road. Drive with care.
4WD only. Water is flowing at 0.3 m affected by tides. Contact
Bowali for tidal information on 08 8938 1120. Please note: East
Alligator River upstream of Cahills Crossing is temporarily closed to
fishing for important funeral ceremonies.
See comments next to Magela Creek (above).
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Closed
Nourlangie Region
Nourlangie Rock Art Site
Nanguluwurr Art Site
Nawurlandja Lookout
Gun-warddehwardde Lookout
Open
Open
Open
Open
Gubara
Open
Mirrai Lookout
Open
Sandstone Barrk Walk
Open
Muirella Park Campground
Open
Anbangbang Billabong Walk
Closed
Sandy Billabong
Bubba Wetland Walk
Yellow Water Region
Jim Jim Billabong
Campground
Mardugal Campground 1
(Caravans)
Mardugal Campground 2
(Tents)
Gun-gardun Walk
Closed
Closed
There is evidence of visitors accessing this walk. Visitors are asked
End June to observe closure as high water levels near the track present a
crocodile risk.
4WD only as there are several washouts. Grading of the road is
scheduled soon. Drive with care and observe signage.
Plan to depart as early as possible to avoid the heat of the day.
Take at least three litres of water for each walker.
Visitors are asked to keep a safe distance from the water’s edge to
avoid crocodile risk.
Rangers inspected the area last week. Sections of the track are wet
End June underfoot. Needs to dry out. In the meantime slashing and clearing
of parts of the track continues.
End June Area is still wet. Needs to dry out.
June/July High water levels continue near the track present a crocodile risk.
Open
Open
Open
Open
For more information about Kakadu National Park contact Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 89 381120 or visit our websites
www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/ or www.kakadu.com.au
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Visitor Site
Current
Status
Forecast to
open
Comments
Yellow Water Road and
Carpark
Open
From the carpark visitors need to walk along the road to access
Yellow Water boat cruises, the boardwalk and boat ramp. Please
call Gagudju Lodge Cooinda on 08 8979 0145 for boat cruise
bookings. Be very careful – walk between the fencing barriers as
crocodiles may be present in the surrounding area.
Yellow Water Boardwalk
Open
Start of walk is opposite Yellow Water cruise boat ramp. Boardwalk
meets up with Home Billabong walk. The Home Billabong walk and
viewing platform is closed due to water levels and crocodile risk.
Mardugal Billabong Walk
Open
Home Billabong Walk
Closed
Late July
This track is submerged and inaccessible. Visitors can take the
alternative Yellow Water Boardwalk. Starting point is opposite
Yellow Water cruise boat ramp.
Jim Jim and Twin Falls Region – 4WD ACCESS ONLY
Garnamarr Campground
Open
Jim Jim Falls
Open
Barrk Marlam Walk
Open
Budjmi Walk
Open
Twin Falls
Open
Twin Falls Plateau Walk
Open
Maguk
Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge)
Mary River Region
Kambolgie Campground
Yurmikmik Walks
Gunlom
Open
Closed
Open
Bukbukluk Lookout
Gungurul Campground
Gungurul Lookout & River
Walk
Open
Open
Guratba/Gimbat Day Use
Area
Giyamungkurr (Black Jungle
Springs)
South Alligator Region
Mamukala
End July
Open
Open
Open
Ikoymarrwa Rock Holes
Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin
Gorge)
Police enforce the 60 km/h speed limit on this road. Please observe
signs and use headlights due to airborne dust created by vehicles.
The road to Jim Jim is rough in sections and requires a high
clearance 4WD. Please observe signs and use headlights due to
airborne dust created by vehicles. Sections of this walk are rocky
and slippery. Please wear sturdy footwear and observe the track
markers.
This is a difficult walk and takes approx 4-6 hours. Please start the
walk early to avoid the heat of the day, carry at least two litres of
water per person and wear sturdy footwear and sun protection.
Area to open to high clearance 4WD with a snorkel. Water
crossing is 0.7 m. Access to Twin Falls is by boat shuttle service
and a walking track over boulders, sand and a boardwalk. Tickets
for the boat shuttle can be purchased at our Bowali Visitor Centre
or the shuttle area ($12.50 per adult and children under 16 years
free). The shuttle will operate from 7:30 am until 4:00 pm everyday
with the last shuttle leaving the falls and returning to the car park at
5:00 pm.
Please wear sturdy footwear and observe the track markers. This is
a steep walk and takes approx 1-2hours (return). Please start the
walk early to avoid the heat of the day, carry at least two litres of
water per person and wear sturdy footwear and sun protection.
4WD recommended.
Sections of the road are still wet. Area needs to dry out.
4WD recommended.
4WD recommended.
4WD recommended.
4WD only. Please use caution as there are several sections of road
with deep holes. This is a day-use area only and no camping
permitted.
Open
Closed
Mid July
Closed
Mid July
Crocodile surveys continue. Rangers spotted a 2.5 and 1 metre
saltie downstream last week. Once crocs are captured the area can
be cleared.
Once Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin) is open rangers will commence work
on the day use area.
Open
Open
2 Mile Hole Billabong
Open
4 Mile Hole Billabong
Closed
West Alligator Head
Closed
Gungarre Walk
Red Lily Billabong
Closed
Closed
4WD with snorkel only. Two water crossings currently at 0.75 m
and a section of road with washout. Please drive with care and
observe signage.
On 13 June rangers conducted inspections. Water is still sitting
July
across the floodplain between the billabong and tree line restricting
access into the campground.
Water is still sitting across the floodplain restricting access to the
August
coastline.
June/July High water levels present a crocodile risk.
July
Water levels are still high preventing access to some road sections
For more information about Kakadu National Park contact Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 89 381120 or visit our websites
www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/ or www.kakadu.com.au
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Visitor Site
Current
Status
Forecast to
open
Bucket Billabong
Closed
July
Alligator Billabong 1
Closed
July
Closed
End June
Alligator Billabong 2 Southern Access via Old
Darwin Rd
Boat ramps
South Alligator boat ramp
East Alligator upstream boat
ramp
East Alligator downstream
boat ramp
Yellow Water boat ramp
Comments
and campgrounds.
Water levels are still high preventing access to some road sections
and campgrounds.
Water levels are still high preventing access to some road sections
and campgrounds.
Rangers recently tried to access the campground on 8 June but the
road is still wet. Once the area dries out then the site will open.
Open
Open
To respect traditional Aboriginal funeral practices, the East Alligator
River upstream of Cahill’s Crossing will be temporarily closed to
fishing until important funeral ceremonies for a senior traditional
owner are completed
Open
Open
Home Billabong boat ramp
Open
Mardugal Billabong boat
ramp
Open
Be mindful of crocodile safety when launching and docking boats.
Use caution on this gravel boat ramp. Channel erosion can cause
the ramp surface to become uneven. This ramp provides access to
Yellow Water Billabong via a connecting channel. Use caution
when navigating through the channel. The channel is just below
0.4 m deep. Please take care as there are submerged logs and
rocks.
Be mindful of crocodile safety when launching and docking boats.
For more information about Kakadu National Park contact Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 89 381120 or visit our websites
www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/ or www.kakadu.com.au
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