Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park Australia

Blog: Now on arrival at the carpark you may see 10 cars - sometimes none. That's what I really enjoy about kakadu where we went there was no crowd. maybe we were lucky but I never even tried to plan the day, I just got up and went.

At the carpark which is also the start of the Jim Jim Gorge walking track sone 12 metres away there is a toilet on the left on the side of the hill.

Jim Jim Gorge Walk

Blog 6: From the carpark edge you see the sign below right. Here it says

• Baark Malam Walking Track - 200 metres (this meant the track starts in 200m from this sign)
• Gorge Viewing Area - 400 metres
• Jim Jim Falls - 900 metre

Blog: Now this is no 4 minute mile folks. I took a series of shots of the track for one reason. So many folks ask me how difficult is the track and how do you explain you scrable up a large and slide down the other side. What you imagine is quiet often different to what is actually there. So below is a series of photo's of the track as it goes along. I would say the place called the Baark Malam turnoff sign or 'Gorge Viewing Area' is a good spot to relax and take your breath in after the first section.

Note the yellow triangle marker as path guides.

Blog: Plateau above Jim Jim Falls - Barrk Malam walk. A very steep marked walking route leads to the plateau above Jim Jim Falls. This walk is suitable only for very fit people, who can manage a very steep climb in hot conditions.

Allow 4 to 6 hours for this walk and carry plenty of water. It is advisable to start in the cooler hours of the morning. Wear good walking shoes and appropriate clothing.

Blog: When we stopped here we saw the pool above and everyone just wanted to stay and swim. then the guide said hey look over there. We saw the cage - below photo and knew straight away what it was. it was a croc trap. That curbed the wish for swimming for the moment. though the water was crystral clear and so pure.

There were fish everywhere to be seen. The Pandanas Plams that hung over the waters edge just made the picture. Really if your not into long walks over uneven ground you may just be satified to stay there and contemplate the world around you.

Blog: You would think for the number of people visiting kakadu that jim Jim would be like a small city but by this stage not one person passed out tour group and this was around 10am.

Kakadu also has a bird population that overwhelms the senses. You just have to be there to know what I mean.

A crocodile trap in the billabong below the Falls.

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.

Blog: Then it went from sandy to embedded rocks in sand. ok still not bad to walk over.

Blog: About this point you cross over for the beach pool you see later in our photo's below.

Blog: In the picture above is were some of our group decided to sit it out before the final 300 metres over the rocks to the pool at the gorges end. Well it was worth the walk that's for sure. They say a picture is wortha 1000 words, nah just one word 'memorable'.

Blog: You can see the beach pool on the other side in the pictures below. Here most medium adventure tour groups like to swim and go.

Flora on the Jim Jim Track in Kakadu National Park

Blog: During our drive - our guide stopped all of a sudden and pointed out the Bush Passionfruit - top left photo.

Then further along he stopped again and poitend out that when nuts fall from this tree the Aboriginals learnt over time was also the time that turles layed there eggs.

Sometime a tour guide offer that little gem of knowledge at the right time that no reading a book could ever match. Thanks to our Gagudju Dreaming Guide.

Jim Jim Falls Plunge Pool and Barrk Malam walk (dry season only, 4WD Only)

Where:
Turn east off the Kakadu Highway 43km south of the Bowali Centre. Engage 4WD, travel 65km along the Jim Jim Falls access road. Allow 2 hours one way travelling time on the Jim Jim Falls access road, plus 1 to 2 hours to walk to the plunge pool and return to the car park.

Features:

Jim Jim Falls Plunge Pool
•A 2km return walk through monsoon forest and over boulders will take you to a deep plunge pool surrounded by spectacular, 150-metre high cliffs.
•This walk is suitable for people who are fit and can manage uneven terrain (large boulders, often slippery).
•Allow 1 to 2 hours for this walk.
•Visitors who choose to swim at the Jim Jim Falls plunge pool do so at their own risk. Please note the advice on our visitor safety page regarding crocodiles and all crocodile warning signs on site.

Do not enter the water downstream of the Jim Jim Falls plunge pool. Estuarine crocodiles may be present.

Plateau above Jim Jim Falls - Barrk Malam walk
•A very steep marked walking route leads to the plateau above Jim Jim Falls.
•This walk is suitable only for very fit people, who can manage a very steep climb in hot conditions.
•Allow 4 to 6 hours for this walk and carry plenty of water. It is advisable to start in the cooler hours of the morning. Wear good walking shoes and appropriate clothing.

Important to note: During the dry season Jim Jim Falls ceases to flow.

Main Attractions - Jim Jim and Twin Falls Area

Courtesy of Northern Territory Tourism for the promotion of tourism to Kakadu National Park

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

Road Reports:
http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/visitorinfo/roadreport.html

We sincerely wish to thank Department of the Environment and Water Resources
for some of the facts we have listed here.

Jim Jim Falls Area - Road Access
Access to the Jim Jim Falls area is by 4WD only. Turn east off the Kakadu Highway 43km south of the Bowali Centre. Engage 4WD and travel 50 km along the Jim Jim Falls access road to reach the Garnamarr Campground (see below for details) . Jim Jim Falls car park is an additional 15 km along the access road . For Twin Falls see here.

Please note that the information in this document may not necessarily provide the latest details. During the dry season written road reports may be provided on a weekly basis as road conditions are less variable and road reports are not loaded onto the web on weekends or public holidays. For the latest up-to-date details, contact the Bowali Visitor Centre on 08 8938 1121. Important to note: During the dry season July till October - Jim Jim Falls ceases to flow.

Important to note: During the dry season July till October - Jim Jim Falls gradually ceases to flow. Camping safaris to Jim Jim Gorge in Kakadu Pational Park.

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

Self Drive Rentals and Hire to Jim Jim Gorge in Kakadu Pational Park.

Jim Jim Falls 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. Vehicle Snorkel strongly recommended

Twin falls and Jim Jim Falls selfdrive routes are difficult to travel. Choices for 4wd rental vehicles for this route are the Britz PMFR, Britz Safari, Britz Bushcamper, especially the Britz Safari, 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.

Important to note: During the dry season July till October - Jim Jim Falls gradually ceases to flow.

Kakadu General Information

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.

• Jim Jim 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

Swimming In General

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/

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'.

Other Areas

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.

Camping fees and permits are at this external link:
http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/visitor-activities/camping.html

Permits
Another different set of detailed printable notes are at this external link:
http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/visitor-information/permits.html

A detailed printable notes and map are at this external link:
http://www.environment.gov.au/

Another different set of detailed printable notes and mapare at this external link:
http://www.environment.gov.au/

Another different set of detailed printable notes and mapare at this external link: http://www.environment.gov.au/

Jim Jim Falls - On the Kakadu Highway down Cooinda at the south end of Kakadu National Park to Jim Jim and Twin Falls. (Side trip of 130km return). From the north end of the park turn east off the Kakadu Highway 43km south of the Bowali Centre. this is only a 4WD access road.

A just under 2km return walk through a monsoon forest and over small and larger boulders will take you to a deep plunge pool surrounded by ancient, 150-metre high cliffs where the falls pound the bottom druring the Tropical Summer also known as the Green or Wet Seasons usually from late November to March.

As season may change access may be unpredictable. Jim Jim Gorge Track is an icon of the region and must do for the fit and adventureous.

Blog: Jim Jim 4WD unsealed Track
Jim Jim Track is closed during the wet season and there is a deep water crossing at Jim Jim that must be crossed to continue onwards to Twin Falls.

This is definitely 4WD only, it is rough and corrugated in patches and sandy with drifts and sand banks in other places, considerably a slow trip.

Camping is only allowed/possible at end of Jim Jim track at designated camp site. This is seasonal access only.

Blog 1: I took these shots during the month of September. If your on a tour try to stay awake as one tends to doze off after a few minutes or you will miss the ancient countryside - probably the only way I can decribe it.

Many folks have described this trip (and I have read tourist blogs as well) as bone shatering. Well I haven't the best health and I enjoyed it.

Bone shattering I didn't think so more the vehicle swayed from sand bank to sand bank in areas and a few bumpy patches. Maybe we had the best driver. Actually we own a 4WD but this opted for a tour to see the difference.

If you are a self drive, or selfdrive hiring a 4 wheel drive vehicle rental or 4WD camper hire the hint is watch out for the dust from passing motorists or drivers in front of you.

Taken by us Sept 9th, 2007 on the Jim Jim Track. This was before the seasonal rains had set in which was 6 weeks later. Still with the water across the track into Jim Jim Gorge one needed to be vigilant in navigating and driving track to the last carpark to trek to the Gorge waterhole or billabong beach as some refer to it.