Maguk to Gunlom - Kakadu National Park

9th June 2013

We woke reasonably early today and after breakfast packed down the van in readiness for when we returned from our first destination of the day, Maguk, which was a waterfall and swimming hole only 20kms away.

We set off around 8.30am and made the short gravel road drive into the carpark. From here we had a relatively easy walk in to Maguk, with only river bed and a couple of small crossings of the river to negotiate.

Walking into Maguk

Maguk was a really pretty place and the girls were very excited, because it was one of the first places they felt comfortable having a swim, despite the signs regarding crocodiles!

We spent about 3hrs at Maguk all up, with the girls and I swimming to the base of the falls and feeling the power of the current when we swam under the main drop & diving off from the main entry point into the deep water hole, it was a great morning.

Me and the girls swimming at Maguk

We headed back to camp, hooked up the van and made the drive to our next stop which was Gunlom Falls and our last place in Kakadu National Park. The drive into Gunlom was a 59km dirt road with some challenging sections to negotiate, so much so that we thought that we would almost have Gunlom to ourselves, such was the drive in.

So you can imagine our surprise that when we arrived at the camp ground and it was absolutely packed! Oh that's right we forgot, it's a long weekend in the Territory and all the locals are making the most of it, oh well **it happens.

So after some searching, we found a spot, set up camp and made lunch before deciding that we had enough time left in the day to explore Gunlom. There are two sections to Gunlom, a hike to the top of the gorge to the top pools before the waterfall and then there is the plunge pool at the base of the falls.

The girls at the top pool above the waterfall at Gunlom

We decided that we'd tackle the top pools first which involved walking up a 1km track, which was pretty much vertical, up to the gorge rim. The view and the pools were just sensational and made the hike up the track well worth it, it was very special.

Chloe & Mags at the one of the top pools in Gunlom

We spent a fair bit if time up there exploring the many rock pools and swimming holes before making the trek back down to the plunge pool below! The girls went for another swim, while Rach & I looked on and enjoyed the view.

Me & the girls at Gunlom Plunge Pool

We went back to camp around 6ish, just on sunset and cooked dinner before heading over to a communal fire pit, having a chat with a group of people and toasting the last of our marshmallows, before turning in for the night.

Camping at Gunlom

We were a little concerned just how much sleep we were all going to get, specially after Rach had heard about the problems from the previous night, thankfully that didn't eventuate tonight or if it did we were just too knackered to hear it, as we all slept very soundly indeed!

All the locals camping at Gunlom