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, ATA, Connections
Safaris, Wayoutback Safaris, Gagudju Dreaming Tours.
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 wagon 4x4, Britz Safari, Hitop Bushcamper, especially
the Britz Safari, TB Rooftop tent 4WD, hire selfdrive
vehicles. Also the Apollo and Cheapa's Hilux Adventure.
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.
© We suggest you also visit a website called
https://nt.gov.au/emergency/community-safety/crocodile-safety-be-crocwise
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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.
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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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.
Resources
www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/
www.environment.gov.au/parks/
www.facebook.com/RoadReportNT
www.roadreport.nt.gov.au/
www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport/
www.toiletmap.gov.au/
www.travelnt.com/
https://www.northaustralianhelicopters.com.au/
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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 (0) 8 7999
7511). Why come to us - Let us try to get you a discount off
the recommended rates with professional and experienced service.
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Australian Travel Agent based in Northern Territory Australia.
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Email: info@australia4wdrentals.com
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