romantic kakadu

For a romantic dinner pre-book a table at Pee Wee's in August you can eat outside on the waters edge. Pee Wee's is up near East Point Nature Reserve, the view is quite spectacular over looking the harbour back over Darwin city. Book for a table before 6:30 pm, that way you'll get a table ready for the sunset which you should be able to see from your outdoor table as well. Pee Wee's isn't that cheap, but the service and food is excellent, you'll also need to get a Taxi there unless you have a hire car and can avoid drink-driving. Should cost you about $15 to get there from anywhere in the city centre (which is where all the hotels are).

For hotel's, the Casino (SkyCity) has/is recently been refurbished and has an excellent restaurant on the top floor, over looking the harbour (called Evoo). It's fairly close proximity to the city but it'd be easier to get a Taxi. I wouldn't say it's the most romantic (given it's a casino) but it has excellent access to the beach for romantic walks and drinks on the beach and 5 minutes walking distance to the ever popular Mindil Beach Markets which operate at that time of year on a Thursday (best time to visit) and a Sunday (smaller version).

Aside from that, there's a load of hotels right in the City Centre - mostly along the Esplanade. My personal favourite is the Carlton Hotel, it's not the cheapest but I like the feel of the place more than some of the other hotels.

- Pee Wee's Resturaunt
- Mindil Beach Markets
- SkyCity Casino

As for getting off the beaten track in Kakadu and away from the tourists, unfortunately most of the places you listed are very touristy, particularly in August and Kakadu has very limited options for accommodation which makes it harder to get away from them. There are not that many hiking trails, although there are a lot of walking trails at specific tourist sites and some of the more less touristy hiking trails require a permit from memory.

If you want a remote, off the beaten track walk with water falls and stuff, take a tent and backpack and check out the Edith Falls > Katherine Gorge walking trail. You do need about 4-5 days to do the whole lot, but you can do small sections at either end and return to the starting point. My favourite hike/camp site is Katherine > Biddlecombe Falls (~12 km), you almost always have the place to yourself, with your own swimming hole (no crocs) and water fall - very romantic : )

Edith Falls Nature Trail

Cheers

An alternative for accomm could be Cullen Bay Marina - there are serviced apartments available, and there is a range of good restaurants around the waterfront. It is only a short cab ride from the CBD. Saville Suites on the Esplanade for a more standard hotel of good quality (and all their rooms have kitchens too). Scary has described Kakadu well - and certainly take the Yellow Waters tour at Cooinda. I think with two people, hiring your own car and staying in the available accomm is an economical option (don't need to camp as such), and a bit less touristy. There is reasonable private room accomm at both Jabiru and Cooinda, but as scary says, August is peak so you need to book. You can take a 4WD tour to Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls ex-Jabiru or ex-Cooinda.<BR><BR>Also take a day to visit the excellent Litchfield NP, and see Berry Springs (for a late afternoon swim and a beer) on your return trip to Darwin - hire a car for that. Territory WIldlife Park, Jumping Crocodiles, Croc Farm and Crocodylus are all interesting too. Dinner on the Wharf is very nice and a local institution - from upscale to fish'n'chips. Also visit the Museum and Art Gallery - it's free - and there's a great lunchtime cafe attached. On a Thursday evening attend Mindil Beach Sunset Markets (another institution) and on Saturday morning Parap Markets near town (another one). Bear in mind that there is a long weekend in August and it is Darwin Cup Week, so the place can be really busy. Try to book outside of that. Have fun - great place for nine days - take your sunhat - it will still be hot!

There are some 4-8 hour walks in Kakadu. I was there at the tail end of the wet, so most of them were closed when I was there. I can't imagine that many people do the long walks- but I could be wrong ?

These are all from the Kakadu NP guide:

Sandstone and river bushwalk ( East Alligator area ) allow 4 hours ( or so they say, probably less...)

Barrk bushwalk ( Nourlangie area) "allow" 6-8 hrs

There is an aboriginal led tour called Animal Tracks that looked cool, but it was not running yet when I was there in April. I think they have overnight options, their tours leave from Jabiru ( I think ).

I did just go truckin' over some rocks for a few hours, not on a trail- but I am not sure if this is allowed. No one was around to ask, so I didn't.

Hi there
If you have a week you'll also have time to visit Litchfield National Park. This can be done as a day trip from Darwin if you head out early. Litchfield is the place to swim (there are big crocs everywhere in Kakadu - please don't jump in any billabongs!). Places to see in Litchfield include Wangi Falls (you can walk up and over the top of the waterfall and down the other side - not a spectacular walk though) Wangi Falls is great for swimming but sometimes closed due to crocs, Tolmer Falls (there's a short work here that is really worth doing - I think it's about half an hour), Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole - both good swimming. Then there's the very cool magnetic termite mounds.

My preference for exploring the Darwin/Kakadu/Litchfield/Katherine area would be by car. However hiring cars up here can be pretty pricey as you have to pay per km over 100 or 200km a day. You may find a tour that takes in everything you want to see that may work out good value. Don't know bout you though, I don't think a tour is very romantic!

In Kakadu:
Ubirr (tme it go just before sunset and watch the sunset - great)
Nourlangie Rock (drop by Anbangbang billabong just next door to Nourlangie Rock, but don't get too close! Nice place for a picnic lunch)
Cahill's Crossing - croc spotting while watching 4 wheel drives do the river crossing over to Arnhemland on the other side
Animal Tracks tour - I have done this and it's fab, expecially if you're interested in Aboriginal culture
Yellow Waters boat cruise at Cooinda - do it at sunrise or sunset, pretty amazng wildlife spotting and beautiful landscapes - you will need your camera
Scenic Flight with Kakadu Air and Jabiru Airport - I thought this was well worth it, i just did the shortest flight and it was heaps

In Jabiru they have cool accommodation at Lakeview Holiday Park - get the rooms that are like a tent - I can't remember what they call them, look at the website. They have built sides but tend over the top. Very romantic I thought!
The other main place to stay in Kakadu is Cooinda. The budget rooms there are NOT romantic believe me. Think freezer container. The normal rooms are nice but rather pricey.

Katherine Gorge - Kayaking or boat cruise - both cool depending what you're into

Edith falls between darwin and Katherine - do the walk up to the top, very cool walk. you can swim at the top, but freeezing water.

I haven't been to twin falls or jim jim.

I'm happy to give you more specific info about Darwin/Kakadu/Litchfield/Katherine areas if you pm me your questions and email address.

Clare

Camping in Kakadu in August is not romantic. The campgrounds will be chockers, and you can't camp just anywhere. You will need a 4wd or a tour to get most places. You need to be very careful where you swim - most, if not all waterholes potentially have crocs. If you have a car, consider visiting Douglas-Daly Hot Springs and other locations between Darwin and Katherine. Tourism Top End has a good website with details.

In Katherine, consider doing an overnight canoe if you can - if you go midweek you may well have a beach (riverbank) to yourself. I think that would be really romantic - beautiful scenery, a real sense of being totally alone and a night sky not dimmed by city lights. Bring everything though, there are no facilities! In August you could get away without a tent, though a sleeping bag is recommended as it can get quite cool. There are some nice walks in the park as well - the walk to Biddlecombe Cascades is the first part of the Jatbula Trail - the 5day walk to Edith Falls. The southern walks are also nice, in particular the Windolf Walk, a short walk (about 3hrs return) to a lovely plunge pool and waterfall. Search NT Parks and Wildlife for details.

Hey everyone

Thanks for all your advice. You've given me loads of ideas to look into. I am swaying towards the option of hiring a car, but prob not a 4wd as I've never driven one. Well thats cause I can't drive, so he'll be doing all the driving! This is where tours seem a good option as it involves less navigating and planning, but not such an adventure...

So we get into Darwin Saturday around 2am, maybe stay there till Monday so can go to Mindil Market, and all the places you mentioned...

Then hire a car and drive to Kakadu and check out some places there. Monday am to Wednesday evening
Ubirr rock at sunset
Nourlangie Rock and Barrk bushwalk 6-8 hrs
Yellow Waters boat cruise, Cooinda
Scenic Flight with Kakadu Jabiru?
4WD tour to Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls from Jabiru
Various other walks and falls along the way yet to be discovered!

Then on to Katherine stopping at Edith Falls and maybe a hot spring. Love the overnight canoe idea. Katherine to Biddlecombe Falls sounds beautiful. Wednesday evening to Friday evening

Drive back to Darwin via Litchfield park overnight. Friday evening to Saturday evening

Fly home 2am Sunday morning

Does that sound a good plan?! Thanks for your advice. Is this is going to require eskies and mosquito nets?!

Sounds pretty good - pretty organised, and well timed. A 4WD is not necessary at all for your itinerary. Nearish to Litchfield NP is Batchelor (unique place - formerly the centre for Rum Jungle Uranium, now an Indigenous College town), and Lake Bennett Resort - either will have overnight accomm for your Friday. Have fun.

An Esky, sunscreen, insect repellant, loose long-sleeve shirt, nice hat, and cold water - all highly desirable. Mozzie nets if you're sleeping sal fresco only!