Should I book a campsite at Kakadu during school holidays?

Submitted: Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 00:10

ThreadID: 78486 Views:3546 Replies:4 FollowUps:2

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Kakadu

World renowned Kakadu has plenty to offer the international and local tourist. The diversity and many attractions including amazing rock formations, rare wildlife,

Kakadu

Section: Treks

World reknown Kakadu has plenty to offer the international and local tourist. The diversity and many attractions including amazing rock formations, rare wildlife,

LoveEmptyRoads

OK, one very last question (I hope) about Kakadu.
As I will be there during the school holidays (1/7 – 5/7), should I book a commercial site, or is it safe to assume I will get a site at the park’s campsites (Mardugal or Merl or Muirella Park) especially when arriving late in the evening? Do these fill up during this time?
Thanks

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Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 00:49

Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 00:49

Hi LER

We were there in August, so our experience may be different. We found Mardugal had only a few campers and it was my favourite of the camp grounds we stayed at. I don't think you can book in the Parks camp grounds. Perhaps most opted to stay at Cooinda caravan park. The other camp grounds we chose (Gunlom, Muirella and Merl) had lots more campers. Merl had the most campers and because of the way the sites were set up we found it difficult to get an easy place for our longer rig. The other camp grounds were more open.

We spent a night at Gungural and left our caravan there while going to Maguk. This has a short bitumen access, park on the side of a bitumised loop, with pit toilet and no water, and hardly anyone seems to stay there, so this is an option if the others are full.

We try and get to a camp ground by early afternoon at the latest to ensure a good place.

Motherhen

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AnswerID: 416743

Follow Up By: Member - Serendipity(WA) - Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 01:18

Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 01:18

I agree with Motherhen. Don't think you can book a site other than the commercial ones. So long as you get in before dark you should be good. Most of the tour operators push to the limits and will often roll in after dark so we would circle the wagons to preserve a little privacy.

Waterfall creek (Not sure of its new name) is one of the more popular caravan ones with nice hot showers and proper toilets. A bit too crowded for us though.

David

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Reply By: ChrisVal7 - Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 15:04

Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 15:04

You can't book at the campgrounds, or even at the caravan park at Jabiru. You can probably book at the cp at Cooinda though (on the Kakadu Hwy, about 50kms from Jabiru and near Yellow Waters).

Last weekend Mardugal campground was still not open so am not too sure what is happening there. Perhaps the annual arrival of the regular camphosts has been delayed?

Gunlom (the old UDP Falls/Waterfall Creek) has just opened.
Chris

AnswerID: 416770