BAROALBA - HILL 420 CIRCLE - Page 2

The walk starts with an easy three kilometre stroll along an old four wheel drive track to Baroalba Springs where we can enjoy a refreshing swim. From here, we leave all tracks behind, beginning a somewhat strenuous scramble up the boulder strewn creek. Once inside the basin, the ground levels out and the walking becomes easier. There are a number of nice camp sites to tempt us as we work our way upstream, taking our time, stopping every so often to have a swim or just to enjoy the shade of a cool rock shelter or the sight of a particularly colourful patch of flowers.

Next day we continue our leisurely walk through the art sites and interesting rock formations in the central basin. Among the many things we will encounter are a nice set of cascades and a rock shelter which offers fantastic views up and down the valley. Words cannot do it justice. No one who has ever been there has left disappointed.

We plan to spend at least six days exploring the basin, probably spending one or two nights on high points which offer magnificent 360° views. The climbs are fairly steep and we will need to carry water, but we can leave excess gear in rock shelters below so our packs will be as light as possible.

From the central basin, we work our way over to and down the eastern side of the massif and across the plain to the Arnhem Escarpment where we set up a base camp near the entrance to a small gorge. This area has so much to offer that we will spend several days enjoying the pools, exploring the nearby creeks with their rock shelters and art sites. We will climb to the top of Hill 420, the highest point on the entire Arnhem escarpment, perhaps as a day walk, perhaps camping overnight.

Finally it is time to leave. A walk back across the plain brings us to the relatively unknown eastern edge of the Brockman massif. We follow this, stopping to look at anything that looks interesting. On the final morning, we have a walk of up to seven kilometres, part of which may be over rough terrain, to reach the vehicles. From Baroalba, it is a relatively short drive to Cooinda. After a cook-your-own barbecue at the pub, we spend the night in budget accommodation, avoiding the mosquitoes which plague the wetlands. Next morning, we do a Yellow Waters cruise and get a good view of the Kakadu wetlands before returning to Darwin.

Terrain and difficulty. This trip includes some of the most rugged terrain in our entire program. The reasons it is only rated as level 3 are the leisurely pace and the fact that the most difficult climbs can be done without a full pack.

	It is likely to rain during the trip. If you take part, you will get wet when it rains. It will be hot. The average daily maximum temperature in March is 33°C (91°F). To avoid the worst of the heat, we plan to take long breaks near pools during the middle of the day whenever possible.
You are, however, not likely to get cold. The temperature is unlikely to go below about 21°C (70°F).

Once you start, you are in to the finish. There is no vehicular access anywhere along the route. Most sections of the walk are fairly flat and relatively easy. Some, however, involve considerable rock hopping and are moderately difficult. There are a few steep climbs but these are short and over relatively quickly for most groups. To take part you need good fitness, a sense of adventure and an interest in Aboriginal art and the natural landscape.

Your rewards include visits to an incredible number of Aboriginal art sites, spectacular views, great swimming and beautiful campsites shared with no one but your own small group, a Kakadu wilderness experience no other operator can offer you.

This is a wet season trip. For more information about bushwalking in the wet season, click the link below. The Wet Season

Click here to see a story about our 2002 trip along with some illustrations from an Australian couple. Click here to see a story about our 2002 trip by a German girl along with some more photos. Click here to see a PDF file of the detailed trip notes.

For more information about this trip or to find out how to book, please click the link below and send us an email.

Baroalba - Hill 420 Circle Information

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