Visiting Gunlom in Kakadu National Park

Gunlom, located on Waterfall Creek in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, is the magical combination of waterfall and serene plunge pool, with shady gums cooling the picnic areas. A steep climb to the top of the waterfall provides sweeping views of the southern-most parts of Kakadu National Park while you enjoy a relaxing dip in the crystal clear pools.

A steep lookout walk leads to rock pools and views of the southern hills and ridges. The flat, easy walk to Murrill Billabong is great for bird watching, as is the short walk to the main pool below the seasonal waterfall. There is a grassed, shady picnic area and camping facilities include solar-powered hot showers.

Gunlom is part of Waterfall Creek, one of the major tributaries of the upper South Alligator River. This is the only large tropical river system in the world to be entirely protected within a national park and a World Heritage Area. The Jawoyn traditional land owners and Parks Australia hope you enjoy your stay at Gunlom.

Camping safaris to Gunlom in Kakadu Pational Park.

Gunlom is visited mainly by specialized soft adventure tour operators such as Adventure Tours, Gecko Canoeing, APT, Connections Safarirs, Gagudju Dreaming Tours and Wilderness Safaris. You can see a selection of the tours to Gunlom at www.australia4tours.com.

Self Drive Rentals and Hire to Gunlom in Kakadu Pational Park.

Gunlom in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory Australia is most likely one of the most travelled to destinations of our four wheel drive rental selfdrive clients.

Compared to Twin falls and Jim Jim Falls selfdrive routes Gunlom is compartively easier. Choices for 4wd rental vehicles for this route are the Britz PMFR, Britz Safari, Britz Bushcamper, especially the Britz Safari, Maui 4WD, Backpacker offroader hire selfdrive vehicles. Also the Apollo and Cheapa's Hilux Adventurer and Kea 4WD Poptop PT XA. 4WD vehicles for hire at Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals.

Visiting Gunlom in Kakadu National Park

Facilities:
• BBQ Facilities
• Car park
• Picnic Area
• Public Toilet
• Shaded Area Viewing Platform
• Our OBT Guide and Map book supplied with our Kakadu 4WD rentals thru
http://www.australia4wheeldriverentals.com/ has much more on Gunlom.

Permits
http://www.environment.gov.au

Walking:

Gunlom Lookout Walk
Features: Rock pools at the top of the falls and superb views
Distance: 1 km return
Grade: Difficult climb, marked track. Actually the repected book 'Take A Walk' grades this as 'Hard'.

This short climb to the top of the escarpment is rather steep in my opinion. Though once there the views across the lands from the Gunlom lookout make it all worth the effort. A series of tranquil clear rock pools where you can relax away from the camping area at the bottom.

Gunlom

Gunlom Lookout Walk
Features: Rock pools at the top of the falls and superb views
Distance: 1 km return
Grade: Difficult climb, marked track.

Gunlom Plunge Pool
Features: Seasonal waterfall and a large plunge pool
Distance: 200 metres return
Grade: Disabled access

Murrill Billabong Walk
Features: A small seasonal billabong and the South Alligator River
Distance: Billabong 1 km return River 2.5 km return
Grade: Easy, marked track

Beyond Gunlom

Yurmikmik
Features: A network of walking tracks which take in the plunge pools and wet season waterfalls of the Marrawal Plateau.
Access: 2WD, camping permits required.
Carry a topographic map on longer walks.

Gimbat and Guratba (Coronation Hill)
Features: A scenic drive to a shady picnic area by the South Alligator River.
Access: 4WD only, day use only.

Gungurul
Features: A rest stop with picnic tables and toilets, lookout and short walk.
Access: 2WD, camping area.

Bukbukluk
Features: A lookout with superb escarpment views and a shady picnic area
Access: 2WD, day use only.

Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
Features: A plunge pool and small waterfall
Access: 4WD recommended. Camping area.

http://www.environment.gov.au/

Another different set of detailed printable notes and map came be found at http://www.environment.gov.au/

Camping fees and permits are at this external sublink: http://www.environment.gov.au/

Gunlom
Category: 1
Cost: $10 per adult per night - Under 16 years free
The cost will vary please see the parks link above for current pricing.

Gunlom

There are many interesting places to discover in the area, but some things to remember too:
• Saltwater crocodiles inhabit the South Alligator River and are extremely dangerous. Do not risk your life, keep away from the waters edge.
• Freshwater crocodiles inhabit the area. Do not approach or interfere with them.
• Do not jump off rocks or cliffs as there are unseen dangers and accidents have resulted in death.
• Gunlom Plunge Pool can be hazardous as the shallow water suddenly becomes deep.
• Use the toilets provided.
• Observe and enjoy the native animals, but do not disturb or feed them. Fishing is prohibited.
• Use fuel stoves in preference to open fires.
• If lighting open fires, collect firewood along the access road into Gunlom and use it sparingly. Use the fireplaces provided, attend fires at all times and extinguish them before you leave.
• Use the recycling facilities supplied and place all other rubbish in the bins. Remember, cigarette butts, orange peel and tissues are rubbish too.
• Sunscreen and insect repellent pollute waterways. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and hat as alternative protection.
• The mornings and evenings are the best times to walk and observe wildlife. For your own comfort and safety please keep to the marked tracks, wear a hat and sturdy shoes, and carry plenty of drinking water.
http://www.environment.gov.au/

Crocodile Safety Information

Northern Australia is crocodile country. Therefore it is important to put awareness of crocodiles and safety at the top of your priority list when living in, working in or simply visiting crocodile habitat. Living with crocodiles is not difficult so long as you bear the following points in mind.

• Always be aware that crocodiles may be present anywhere that there is water.
• Unless there is clear signage that it is safe to swim, assume that crocodiles may be present.
• Warning signs are there for your benefit! Ignoring them is foolish.
• Always check with local authorities and rangers whether an area is likely to contain crocodiles.
• If in doubt, always swim in designated swimming areas only.
• If there's no sign, don't go swimming.
• A spotlight or LED head-torch is strongly recommended at night so that any eyeshines can be seen, but a lack of eyeshines does not mean that it's safe to swim - crocodiles may be underwater.

© http://crocwatch.org/
We suggest you also visit a website called http://crocwatch.org/safety

How Get To Gunlom

Kakadu National Park an Australian Natural Icon covers almost 20,000 square kms and is 253 kms East of Darwin the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia.

Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage listed, Kakadu National Park is the gateway to Arnhemland. The sealed roads from Darwin to Kakadu is via the Arnhem Highway and from Katherine to Kakadu National Park via the Kakadu Highway. The Bowali Visitor Centre near Jabiru in Kakadu National Park is located 253 km from Darwin in Northern Territory Australia via the Arnhem Highway entrance. If travelling by road, you should allow 3 hours travelling time from Darwin.

Seasons
The dry season which is approximatley which is classed generally as May - October each year.Though in current year the wet has not set in till late December or January and then finishes mid April.

Access To Gunlom
The dry season which is approximatley which is classed generally as May - October each year. Though in current year the wet has not set in till late December or January and then finishes mid April.

On the way we recommend you stop the the offical Bowali Vistors Centre for more information

Are there certain times of the year that I can’t swim?
The seasonality of waterholes across the Northern Territory depend on the amount of rain throughout the year. NT Parks and Wildlife monitor water levels and erect signs advising visitors when it is safe to swim. Always obey sign posts. Check the latest access report on the web, www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/access.html.

How can you identify if a water-hole is safe to swim in?
Salt and freshwater crocodiles are found in most Top End billabongs and rivers, and are occasionally seen on remote beaches. The accessible rivers and billabongs are generally sign-posted if saltwater crocodiles are known to inhabit the area, but if you are not sure, don’t swim. Swim only where recommended and always observe and read the crocodile warning signs.

Aren’t swimming spots hard to get to or only acesible as part of a tour?
All the swimming spots in Darwin, Litchfield National Park, Katherine, Mataranka and the MacDonnell Ranges are accessible by self-drive. A few locations are only accessible by four wheel-drive, such as Butterfly Gorge Nature Park and Tjaynera Falls in Litchfield National Park. Tour operators with swimming options include Adventure Tours Australia, Australian Pacific Touring, Connections Safaris, Odyssey Tours and Safaris and many more'.

Emergency call devices
Emergency call devices are to be used in emergencies only. Follow the instructions located on the devices.

Emergency call devices can be found at:
• West Alligator Head
• Jim Jim Falls
• Twin Falls
• Graveside Gorge
• Maguk
• Gunlom
• Koolpin

Courtesy of http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/visitor-information/safety.html ©

Gunlom Fact Sheet - http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/visitor-activities/camping.html ©