Motorcar and Kurrundie Creek Gallery

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Motorcar and Kurrundie Creeks are two of the major creeks in the southern part of Kakadu. Motorcar dries up fairly quickly after the end of the wet season so this area is best visited during and immediately after the Wet.

The marked trail begins at the Yurmikmik car park and almost immediately crosses a small suspension bridge. The trail continues through open woodland and along an old 4WD track finally coming to an end at Motorcar Falls.

Crossing the bridge near the Yurmikmik car park Motorcar Falls from the track, February
The three photos below show just how different Motorcar Falls can appear. The first was taken in February, the second in March and the third in April.
Motorcar Falls, February Motorcar Falls, March Motorcar Falls, April
At Motorcar Falls we leave the day trippers behind and head into an off-track wilderness. One loop, sometimes done as a day walk, sometimes overnight, takes us to Kurrundie Falls, through the lower Kurrundie Gorge and back up the lower section of Motorcar Creek.
Kurrundie Falls Lower Kurrundie Creek Lower Motorcar Falls
The possibility of flooding makes it too dangerous to camp in lower Kurrundie Gorge during the wet season. There are, however, a number of good campsites along Motorcar above the lower falls shown above.
The photos at right show wading across Lower Motorcar Falls and a tiny wet season creek that feeds into Motorcar just below those falls. Wading across Motorcar just above the lower falls Lower Motorcar tributary

A fairly short but steep climb from near Motorcar Falls brings us onto the plateau where Motorcar Creek splits into a number of different branches. We often spend days exploring the gorges, pools and waterfalls we find here.

The two photos below show one of the pools and the beginning of the climb which takes us past it.

Motorcar pool Climbing up next to the pool at left
The two photos at right show the chute above the pool and some people on high point on the other side of it. Motorcar Chute, April Rock climbing near upper Motorcar
The four photos below show three more of the pools on the different branches of upper Motorcar plus someone enjoying a swim in one of them.
Upper Motorcar pool Another pool on upper Motorcar
One of the many pools above the chute shown at right above One of the many pools above the chute shown at right above
There are no trails for us to walk on here. Some of the walking is quite easy. Some is rather more difficult.
Walking between upper Motorcar and Upper Kurrundie Keeping feet dry crossing the creek
We always have time to stop and enjoy the flowers and other plants we find along the way.
Swamp bloodwood Bush tomato
We often include a walk to the central section of Kurrundie Creek. This takes us past a remarkably rocky area and brings us to some lovely pools.
Rocky area between Motorcar and Kurrundie Creeks Walking next to Kurrundie Creek
We'll finish this gallery with a view of the upper falls on Kurrundie Creek and another of an early morning moon setting over the sunrise lit cliffs near Motorcar. Top Falls, Kurrundie Creek Moonset near Motorcar

Click here to go to our Kakadu trip list and see which of our Kakadu Highlights trips visit this area.