Maguk
Gorge or Barramundi Gorge in Kakadu National Park, Northern
Territory Australia
The name of Barramundi
Gorge or also known as Barramundie Gorge in Kakadu National
Park has been changed to Maguk in the southern end of
Kakadu National Park around 4 hours from Darwin, the
capital city of Darwin in Norrthern Territory Australia.
Where Is Maguk
Gorge or Barramundie Gorge
Located an hour's drive
south from Cooinda past the Cooinda turnoff in the South
of the park on the Kakadu Highway, in World Heritage-listed
Kakadu National Park, is Maguk a gorge within the Stone
Country. A 14 kilometre four-wheel drive trip, followed
by a one kilometre walk, leads to a beautiful natural
plunge pool at the base of the steep gorge walls.
Nearby is the Maguk bush
camping area. After resting, take the short but moderatly
difficult climb to the top of the waterfall where there
sits crystal clear pools that are perfect for a refreshing
dip. The panoramic view also makes the hike worth the
effort, affording a panoramic view. Facilities BBQ Facilities
Car park Picnic Area Public Telephone.
App 1.15 hour from Cooinda
to the Maguk carpark. Slow driving is recommended.
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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 Maguk at www.australia4tours.com.
Maguk or Barramundi
Gorge is usually visted in the afternoon after
folks visit Jim Jim Falls. This can be a very
long day.
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Maguk Gorge or
Barramundi Gorge 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 Maguk
or Barramundi Gorge 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 PTXA.
You
can see all these 4WD vehicles for hire at Australia
4 Wheel Drive Rentals.
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Blog 1:
I just did a search
of Google and the first 7 choices all had the
same paragraph on Maguk. Hopefully this is a much
more informative blog to guide you. Sept 9th,
2007 my wife and I took a one day tour to Jim
Jim and Twin Falls.
But the crossing
at Twin Falls was to deep so the guide opted for
Maguk Gorge also known as Barramundi Gorge. Being
a local I can only remember the name - Barramundie
Gorge. Anyway the road in was actually not to
bad for September.
It was all 4X4
driving but rather well maintained - I know though
it is under water a fair bit of the time in the
Tropical Summer season November late to early
March. I noticed there wasn't a toilet at Maguk
so just to let you know. The walk was very relaxing
for the first part as you can see.
The boardwalk was
my favourite and the surrounding flora was well
engulfing. Signage as always blended in to the
landscape but was quite visbale and very clear
directions.
I noticed it was
mostly tour companies not many just NT
Immersions , Kakadu 4WD Safaris, Aussie Adventure.
The boardwalk finished and the path began to become
sandy. Not sure whether it was better with or
without sandals.
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Rob's Blog 2:
I just did a search
of Google and the first 7 choices all had the
same paragraph on Maguk. Hopefully this is a much
more informative blog to guide you. Sept 9th my
wife and I took a one day tour to Jim Jim and
Twin Falls.
But the crossing
at twin was to deep so the guide opted for Maguk
- Barramundie Gorge. Being a local I can only
remember the name - Barramundie Gorge.
Anyway the road
in was actually not to bad for September. It was
all 4X4 driving but rather well maintained - I
know though it is under water a fair bit of the
time in the Tropical Summer season November late
to early March.
I noticed there
wasn't a toilet at maguk so just to let you know.
The walk was very relaxing for the first part
as you can see.
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Rob's Blog 3:
The boardwalk was
my favourite and the surrounding flora was well
engulfing.
Signage as always
blended in to the landscape but was quite visable
and very clear directions.
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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
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Rob's Blog 4:
The track continued
on past the most sensational, pristine jade green
pool.
You see the fish
swimming around at the waters edge.
It was around 300
m past here that the track became a bit uneven.
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Rob's Blog 5:
Now I am not he
fittest person and there was a couple in their
70's zoom past me, really quiet embrassing. I
and Marg took our time and were the last and what
was great we had 3 guiedes for 16 folks and one
guide stayed with us and told us about the surrounding
area and we continued on.
There was some
areas that seemed more very slighlty more difficult
but then lately it's hard for me to climb onto
the couch at home.
The averge reasonably
fit person would think it was easy.
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Rob's Blog 6:
There was the crossing
(see right) at one stage to get to the other side.
careful rock stepping can be a it tricky so take
your time.
We finally reached
the falls and stayed there for 1hour.
There is a sandy
section encassed by rocks on the left at the waters
edge were we all seemed to lay our towels out
and food.
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Rob's
Blog 7:
A total of 30
people from 5 years old to 75 years old around
the total falls area. The water wasn't warm
and wasn't cold. It was about mild but once
it it became warm.
Marg went in
which she never swims and stayed around the
edge.
The bottom was
sandy and stay shallow for around 2 metres then
goes to about 1.8 metres deep for about 1m then
it goes deep.
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Rob's Blog 8:
So at the main
end of the falls not shallow.
Though from the
falls side there was the sandy bank and seeminly
a shallow waters at the very waters egde only.
See the picture
bottom right behind the Pandanas Palm.
The walk back gave
us time to really appreciate the landscape and
scenery a lot more as on the way in you seem to
concentrate more on getting there.
Vote 90%
Rob
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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 Maguk
- Barramundi Gorge
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.
What To See
And Do At Maguk - Barramundi Gorge
Maguk / Barramundi Gorge - A one kilometre walk
through monsoon rainforest leads to the base of
a beautiful plunge pool.
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Are there certain
times of the year that I cant 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, dont swim. Swim only where
recommended and always observe and read the crocodile
warning signs.
Arent 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'.
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Walking:
A 1.5km circular walk takes you past an ancient
Aboriginal shelter and several outstanding art
sites. A moderately steep climb to Gunwarddehwardde
lookout provides impressive views of Kakadu's
escarpment and Nourlangie Rock.
The Barramundie
Creek Circuit
This is a distance of 26.5km. The grade is
hard and one should allow 3 days. This circuit
traverses rugged, trackless terrain and should
be attemted by fit, experienced walkers. There
is a book covering this walk the author is John
Daly and we supply this book to our clients on
specific rentals.
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How
Get To Maguk
- Barramundi Gorge
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.
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Facilities at
Maguk - Barramundi Gorge general area
- BBQ Facilities
- Car park
- Picnic Area
- Public Telephone
Where to stay
Muirella Park
Camping Area (check wet season access)
Access to showers, toilets and a generator is
available. Camping fees (adults only) are collected
on site during the dry season. Please pay at the
Bowali Visitor Centre during the wet season.
Bush Camping
Area (Dry season only, 4WD recommended)
A free camping area with composting toilet is
available beyond Muirella Park at Sandy Billabong.
Drinking water is not available.
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| Safety
Information |
Telephone |
| Life
threatening emergency |
000
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- Road side service |
13 1111
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| Medical
- Jabiru Health Clinic |
(08)
8979 2018 |
| Poisons
Information Centre |
13 1126
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| Park
Headquarters |
(08)
8938 1100
(during business
hours) |
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| Ranger
Stations |
Telephone |
South
Alligator ranger station
(near the Kakadu
Resort) |
(08)
8979 0194 |
East
Alligator ranger station
(near the Border
Store) |
(08)
8979 2291 |
Jim
Jim ranger station
(near the Yellow
Water turn-off) |
(08)
8979 2038 |
Mary
River ranger station
(6km north of the
Wirnwirnmila Mary River Roadhouse) |
(08)
8975 4578 |
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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
©
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Protect Your
Reserve
- All native plants
and animals in the Reserve are protected.
- Guns and traps are
prohibited.
- Areas of this Reserve
do not allow pets, however exercise areas are set
aside for dogs and horses.
- Signs throughout the
Reserve explain these conditions.
- Please observe these
regulations.
- Take care with fire
- light fires only in the fire places provided.
- Please dispose of
litter properly.
- Vehicles must remain
on formed roads - off road is only by foot.
- Safety Note: Saltwater
(estuarine) crocodiles occur in billabongs and at
the sea; for your safety do not enter the water. See
the Visitor Safety
page for more information.
-
Parks & Wildlife
Commission of the Northern Territory
Head Office
- Goyder Centre 25 Chung Wah Tce Palmerston, NT
0830
PO Box 496 Palmerston NT 0831
Ph: +61 (0) 8 8999 5511
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Kakadu
National Park - Seasons
But Australia's Kakadu
sees seasons of varied extremes -- so varied, in fact,
that the park's longtime aboriginal inhabitants have
divided the year into six distinct seasons.
Kakadu
Seasons - Gunumeleng Pre-Monsoon Storm Season -
Gunumeleng, from mid-October to late December, may in
fact last from a few weeks to several months.
Kakadu
Seasons - Gudjewg - Monsoon Season - Gudjewg, from
January to March, can be described as the 'true' wet
season.
Kakadu
Seasons - Banggereng - Knock 'em down storm Season
- Banggerreng, in April, is the season when the rain
clouds have dispersed and clear skies prevail.
Kakadu
Seasons - Yegge - Cooler but still humid Season
- Yegge, from May to mid-June, is relatively cool with
low humidity.
Kakadu
Seasons - Wurrgeng - Cold Weather Season - Wurrgeng,
from mid-June to mid-August, is the 'cold weather' time;
humidity is low, daytime temperatures are around 30°C
and night-time temperatures are around 17°C.
Kakadu
Seasons - Gurrung - Hot Dry Weather - Gurrung, from
mid-August to mid-October, is hot and dry.
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Adds
by Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals
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Opening hours of Kakadu
National Park
Kakadu National Park
is open 365 days per year. Given the large size of Kakadu
there are a number of key attractions that have different
operating hours these are:
*
Bowali Visitor Centre
- is open from 8am to 5pm.
* Warradjan Aboriginal
Cultural Centre - is open from 9am to 5pm.
* Ubirr Rock - is open
from 8:30am until sunset from 1 April until 30 November
* Ubirr Rock - is also
open from 2pm until sunset from 1 December until
31 March.
* Nourlangie Rock - is
open from dawn until dusk.
All of the attractions
are open every day of the year and all times are Central
Standard Time. These are based on the season 2006/7.
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Goholi Pty Ltd
Postal: GPO Box 380, Darwin, NT 0801
Email: goholi@bigpond.com
www.kakadunationalaprkaustralia.com
has affliation with the following links
http://www.australia4tours.com
http://www.kakadu-tours.com
http://www.australia4wheeldriverentals.com
http://www.australia4wdrentals.com
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www.kakadunationalparkaustralia.com
is part of the specialist for selfdrive leisure vehicle
rentals and tour specialist including camping and accommodated
one day or extended tours and safaris from the group of
Goholi groop being an experienced respected licensed Travel
Agent in Darwin, Northern Terriotry Australia (Tel +61
8 89453338). Why come to us - Let us try to get you a
discount off the recommended rates with professional and
experienced service. www.kakadunationalparkaustralia.com
is an 'Affiliate'
of the Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals group of sites.
A licensed Australian Travel Agent based in Northern Territory
Australia. |
| Australian
Tour Information - Mission Statement
Please note some of these
links are supplied only as a link for information our
company has no affliation some of these links. Important;
This site is for the beneift of those researching for
their next vacation to Kakadu National Park in Northern
Territory Australia also know as the 'Top End'.
Australian Kakadu National
Park travel guide and information is not the offical
site - the offical government site is http://www.kakadu.com.au.
This search site offering links to Kakadu, Litchfield,
Uluru, Darwin and Northern Territory accommodations,
tours, safaris, activities, nature parks, nature reserves
and adventure activities.
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