Exploring Northern Australia | Fun in Darwin and Disappointment in Kakadu |Episode 33
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- čas přidán 28. 01. 2022
- We've made it to the capital of northern Australia! It's been a long time since we spent any amount of time in a city, and although Darwin is small by city standards, it was a big change for us!
After taking a look around and checking out Darwin's city, the waterfront precinct, and Leanyer water park, we picked up some fish and chips (voted the best in Australia!) and chilled out for a cracking sunset at Cullen Beach.
Kakadu was next on the list, and after a long drive and checking out the visitors centre, we arrived at Maguk campground. It has to be said that this was one of the most disappointing campgrounds we have come across on our trip so far.
When you consider that this national park is meant to be one of the highlights of a trip to northern Australia and an international icon, the lack of maintenance in many park areas was extremely disappointing.
Sometimes, it can be challenging to maintain perspective when travelling, and we get treated to spectacular campsites. Still, we don't think we were being unfair in our assessment. This place has the potential to be incredible, but we were left feeling disappointed.
That being said, we really enjoyed Maguk Falls the following morning. After moving campsites, we enjoyed exploring the incredible rock art at Anbangbang. But, the highlight by far was our Sunrise boat tour on the Yellow Water Billabong was spectacular, and we left feeling a little better about the park.
After returning to Darwin, we finished off by visiting the fun and entertaining Mindil Beach Markets.
Join us next week as we explore Litchfield National Park!
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Your honesty is what makes you guys so watchable .
Cheers, appreciate that.
Loving Harrison’s commentary each video ❤️❤️
He loves it!
So nothing has changed. Jeanne and I visited Kakadu with our van about 22 years ago. The boat tour was great, Twin Falls were closed and we departed calling it Kaka-don't .. bother. Your next destination Lichfield will be much better. We loved it. Perhaps Liz will do another little happy dance to cheer you up! She made us smile anyhow!
Thanks, Denis. You're right, Litchfield was epic! Liz was glad to hear she put a smile on your faces 👍
Frying nemo😂😂😂😂 that’s the best name for a fish and chip shop I’ve ever heard!!!
We thought so too! 😆
Thanks for keeping it real guys, I know once my husband and I are on the road full time to work and travel it won’t all be sunshine and lollipops 🍭
You're welcome. Thanks for watching!
Thanks, guys for being honest. We are planning our 3-month trip and we were just debating on what not to see and what to do. We have only 3 months and would like to see the best of NT and WA so appreciate the honest review. love watching .
Thanks Louise. Kakadu is an incredible place and worth visiting. We had high expectations and unfortunately the maintenance of the park left us disappointed. Hopefully things will improve 🤞
This is a belated thank you for your interior and exterior walk arounds of your caravan. We placed an order for a Zone Base 20.6 back in October last year also sight unseen. We came across your channel pretty soon after we placed the order and I went through your back catalogue immediately. Your videos of your caravan have really helped us visualise what we are getting.
Now to get back on topic, this video was great just like all the others have been. I've read about the troubles in Kakadu from many travellers so you are not alone. Despite the political and infrastructural problems, the pure physical and historic beauty going back millennia won't change. We feel privileged to have been there back in 2010.
Keep up the great content, stay safe, and happy travels. Enjoy the South West of WA, its a beautiful area
That's so nice to hear, thanks for your amazing comment. Kakadu is an amazing place, we were just disappointed with it's management.
I always find myself tapping my foot when your background music plays. Keep up the great work!!!!
Thanks Greg, that's awesome to hear.
Guys love your content,
Don't feel bad about calling it as it is
Love,love, love ❤ 😍 your content.
Cheers Tim and Trish.
Thanks guys, appreciate it!
Simon, I agree, its not just you mate. The National Parks in the NT are usually quite good but for some reason the roads and camping facilities in Kakadu NP are not up to the same standard.
Kakadu is federal......
We said the same thing, the best thing that could happen to Kakadu would be for the federal government to hand over management and funding to the NT government.
Well Kakadu has gone to the pack!
What a shame. Anyways Lichfield will be amazing for you guys. So many easy to get to waterholes.
Yep, someday are 💩 but you know the next one will be better. You guys put your life out there for everyone to see. That in itself is a tough challenge.
Love your work guys. Keep smiling 😃
Cheers🤞
Thanks Lee, and you're right, Litchfield was amazing!
🙌🏻 Friday night binge.. the sunrise tour would be amazing. Thanks for sharing
Love this guys. Thanks for watching!
Fantastic to watch this episode with real, honest feedback. So often many "fakes" talk places up just for likes and views. Loving your travels!
Much appreciated!
Mate you are right, its a bit disappointing.
We were given information to not pay for the pass for the reasons you have expressed as well, then were guided to Mardugal and im glad we were.
Wicko was the caretaker at the time and was the best, everything was clean and tidy.
Kakadu is still fantastic and worth the trip so keep it all in the past and forget! 👌🏿
It was still worth going and an amazing experience, just sad to see it so poorly managed. 👍
Accidents happen , I've seen a van with a whole side badly damaged , cutting a corner in a caravan park, Tree won, My many years of experience tells me check twice when towing van, Not all camp grounds in Australia are perfect, I'm a country boy ,so I've camped on bare ground, with all the crippy crawlies , now I like a bit of luxury. Did you catch a croc, 😂😂😂 Enjoyed, Cheers Bevan 🤠❤️🇦🇺
Cheers, Bevan. We love to camp in rugged places but I guess like we said in the video, it comes down to expectations. No crocs were harmed 😉
Great content. No need to apologize for being yourself. I hope you feel comfortable being honest with your viewers because that’s why I love watching your content.
Thanks, Damien. Appreciate the feedback 👍
Simon total agree wit you we went to the NT last year and we missed Kakadu NP I refused to pay entry fee when nearly everything shut like to know where the money is spent for the up keep of the park on another note don’t feel bad about being a little cranky I know what it’s like when the van gets damaged but both of you keep smiling 🙂 and safe travels cheers
Cheers, Glenn. It is disspointing to see it being poorly managed. I didn't stay cranky for long 😉
Yeah some camps just dont work huh!! Thanks for putting the episode out guys, hope all is working itself out:D
Cheers guys, you win some and lose some, it's all part of the experience.
Love this episode 😍
Thanks Peta
Hey you are human and ranting ok. you were lead to believe campground different. Looks like Simon's mum was a great help with the kids and even some camera work. The Yellow Water cruise and Mindil Market are exceptional and would have gone a long way to make up for disappointments. Well done. Cheers Graham PS. just as well you were able to stock up on grog!!
Thanks, Graham. Mum was great to have around and you're right, it was luck we had the grog 😆🍺
love he raw honesty of your program
Cheers Ross 🍺
Great episode. Nice to watch some real and honest feedback. 😉
Thanks, Denise. Glad you enjoyed it.
Great video, keeping it real . Love to see what what you have changed on the Zone if anything. We are still setting up and getting ready to travel. ZB155.
Thanks Ian. We'll be releasing a 12month review video of the Zone soon 👍
You cant do Kakadu in two days, your need 3 minimum.. Yellow waters for sunrise, Ubirr for sunset, perhaps Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator River, just for starters...
Yeah we agree. We were there for almost four days, although it doesn't look like it in the video.
Love your honesty, life isn't Unicorns and Rainbows, keep it real. After hearing December's total to charity I felt guilty and sat through every ad for the RFDS. Let us hope January works out a little better. I am going to be working on the road this year as a Bookkeeper and would love some advice on your internet structure. I haven't joined Patreon as I cannot quite afford it atm. Well done guys xx
Thanks Tracy, that's amazing, thank you. We're planning on doing a video soon about how we get internet on the road so keep an eye out for that. 👍
When we camped in Kakadu, I understood why the locals refer to it as Kakadon't
We still think it's worth going but just need to adjust your expectations.
That’s why it’s called kakadont
Sad, but true 😢
Awesome vid guys as usual!🤙🏽 Now I’ve (hubby of Team Gourlay) probably asked you this before (memory like a siv!) but who do you use for music, it’s so nice!
Thanks so much. We use a variety of artists and music through Epidemic sound.
People like the bush experience. They don’t want bitumen, bollards and ablution blocks.
We love bush camping! We don't want that either. But some effort to protect the environment and provide facilites would be good to see. NT parks manage it well, the feds need to lift their game!
10:40 - Your in Kakadu, it's a national park the size of Wales (the country), its untouched land... and it looks like your there in the Dry season.
Yep, absolutely. Could be better maintained and presented for tourists though.
Where exactly is that free camp off the old Stuart Highway near Elliot falls? Thought I new most of them in the NT. Thanks Kylie
If you're heading north on the Stuart hwy after you pass the Edith Falls turnoff and cross the bridge, look for a small track on your left which leads back to the old crossing 👍
Thee-Yeah!top !📽
What a beautiful sunrise cruise. Love your real life take on travel and sometimes things occur and make you flat. It’s not always Insta worthy. The rock art near Yellow water was good and so was Ubirr. We took a flight from Jabiru and it was a nice special way to see Kakadu. Can’t wait for your Litchfield ep. It was our favourite spot. Also Darwin had some great things to see including the museum and ww2 stuff.
Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed it! Really appreciate your feedback and support as well. Litchfield was one of our favs as well!
Still good to watch. Simon, do u use your air con Offgrid? If so, how long do your batteries last? Thanks rob
Thanks Rob. We use the air con off-grid occaisonally. It draws about 80amps/hr (which is 20% of our 400ah capacity) so a couple of hours at most. It cools down quite quickly though.
Thanks. We pick up our Zone in October, can’t wait. Do u still rate the Van after a few months and living in it full time?
You know if you mess up in the Top End it will be Careflight that comes to you instead of the RFDS
That's good to know, cheers 👍
Were you able to fix the cupboard door?
We did. Some silicone and new screws did the trick. We also changed that latch set-up so it can't happen again. Not a big drama, just annoying.
Simon, cannot see the link???
What link are you looking for Neil?
28:15 - Please tell your audience that Mindil Beach is not a year round event, they are April to October.
Cheers, you just did!
And that I'm afraid is why the locals call it Kakadon't.
We'd go back, just with different expectations. 👍
Desmond here from Auckland new Zealand I am leaving auckland on the 6th of august 2024 heading to Adelaide for a 16 day tour of the northern territory I have never seen before. Heading towards port Augusta Clare valley flinders ranges woomera coober pedy uluru kata tjuta kings canyon Alice springs karlu karlu Litchfield national park mataranka Katherine Katherine gorge cruise kakadu national park jabiru finally 2 days in Darwin any tips for Darwin. Our group is at on the AAT bus tour I have heard of Alice springs and Katherine but the other place/s I have not heard of our group is staying in hotels motor inn resorts hotel desert cave apartments how is the heat no swimming in Darwin hope to see wildlife birds Crocs I believe buffalo is that true getting up at 4am to see the sunrise at the red centre /the rock do I need a hat and netting for my face to keep the flys away and suntan lotion yes we are doing the billabong cruise for 100 dollars for a cruise really good I am into the wildlife also there is the fields of lights I have never be to the northern territory do still sell cowboy hats I have good gripping walking shoes cannot wait a wildlife bonanza adventure any tips you can give me will be much appreciated I think our group going to get four seasons on our trip what do you reckon guys it cost me a lot of money for this tour 14,000 for the tour that's food and accomadation optiional tours are extra which is I am going to do all up 25,000 dollars that includes the tour the deposit hotel accomadation optional tours food travel insurance spending money 23 experiences new Zealand is 1,000km long and if I went to wellington I would need to go 5 times compare that to Adelaide to Darwin which is 3030 kn long lychee desert fruit is 20 dollars a kilo in the supermarkets in new Zealand you cannot get manjo juice by it self in new Zealand they nix it with the orange juice
My airfare was just over the 1,000 dollars
Hey Desmond, it sounds like a great trip you have planned. You're going to love that region of Australia, there's so much to see and huge diversity. Enjoy!
Did you see any narwhals on your boat cruise?
I think they were all hiding...
Kakadu has been neglected for many years
It's sad to see.
No grass - it's NT in dry season do you want us to ruin the environment so you have green grass
Not really my point, but I think you know that. Not looking for green grass, just some basic maintenence and facilities like 90% of the other National Parks in this country. It's a beautiful and amazing part of the country, it could be better managed though.
Isn't it nice having to pay large amounts to visit what we already own and continue to pay for with our tax and rate dollars ?
Maybe do what lots of others are apparently doing and tick the box that says you identify as aboriginal. You get plenty of things for free then. Well . . . "free" . . . paid for by others.