Willis's Walkabouts Newsletter 39, December 2008
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. The rains have begun and life in Darwin has become a lot more pleasant than it was a month ago.
I had hoped to get our annual mailout done before Christmas. I couldn't finish it in time so this newsletter will have to do.
| Last Chance?
In the last newsletter, I mentioned two trips would have to be cancelled unless we got more bookings within the week. Both trips will now run, perhaps for the last time. Both trips visit Jim Jim and Twin Falls while the roads are closed. That is a huge positive for anyone doing the walks. Carrying three weeks food is out of the question so we need to put a food drop at the halfway point before the roads close. Putting in that food drop is, to say the least, not pleasant. The drop has to go in at the hottest, most humid and uncomfortable time of year. Imagine putting two 20 litre metal drums full of food into your pack, climbing up a hill, stashing the drums in a cave, and returning to the vehicle. By now, every square centimetre of your clothing is soaked in sweat. Now imagine doing it again ... and again ... and again. Depending on the size of the groups, if one person had to do it all, it could take 7 or 8 trips. Thankfully, I had help this year, but with no other guide likely to be based in Darwin next November, I might not be able to do a food drop even if we have bookings. But that's next year, anyone doing either of the trips in 2009 is a winner. The food drops contain a limited amount of extra breakfast and lunch food. The first few who book get their choice. And, maybe, just maybe, for the first time since 1991, one or two people will get a chance to do a part of the wet season trip rather than having to do the full three weeks. Contact me as soon as possible to find out more if you think you might be interested. Now here's some information about the trips. |
| Kimberley Coast
The Kimberley Coast Explorer:15 March - 25 April is the longest single expedition that we offer in Australia. You see an incredible variety of scenery and a wealth of Aboriginal art sites. The fishing is great in several places along the way. It's in four sections, any of which can be done on its own. Why so early? If we went any later, we couldn't be sure all of the waterfalls would be flowing , let alone flowing well. We couldn't be sure that we'd find good drinking water on a couple of the connecting bits. If you want the best that this area has to offer, you have to go when it offers it. This trip is a definite departure. Seven people have already booked the full trip. That's the most we've had in ten years or more. The necessary transport is getting harder and harder to organise. We may or may not be able to offer it again. Special offer. Anyone booking before the end of the month will get the a 15% advance purchase discount, last year's price and, if they read this newsletter closely, one or even two extra discounts. Want more info? Have a look at
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| 2009 -- The Program
The Red Centre Trip List and 2009 prices are as close to final as is possible. The Kakadu and Top End Trip List has almost been finalised. Most of the prices have been updated but you can still get in on the old prices on the Jawoyn and Leichhardt trips. There may be other changes but there will be no changes to any trip which has bookings unless those who have booked are happy with those changes. The Kimberley and Pilbara Trip List is a work in progress. I haven't been able to get all the transport quotes so I haven't been able to update most of the prices. If you book before the new prices go onto the website, you lock in the old price where we provide the transport or where the new price is less than $200 more than the new one. If transport costs force us to raise the price more than that, you'll still get a discount of at least $200 or a full refund, your choice. The overseas trips are described further down this page. |
| 2009 -- Some Specifics
January to March Only two trips have bookings. Both are definite departures. Kakadu Super Circle No. 1 and the Kimberley Coast Explorer, both mentioned above. Only two other trips departing before 5 April are still available: Baroalba - Hill 420 Circle: 8-21 March and Mitchell Plateau No. 1: 29 March - 11 April April The Pilbara trip to Karijini National Park is full. (The June trip to Karijini remains available.) All other trips are still available. Two deserve a special mention. Both have bookings. Neither is yet a definite departure.
May Onwards Every trip is still available. See our Tour Availability and Specials page for details of which are already definite departures and which have bookings as well as any special offers which might be available. |
| Overseas Trips
South America We're offering two trips and considering a third.
Southen Africa We're offering three trips.
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| Mitchell Plateau Still Under Threat
The saga continues. Last January in Newsletter 33 I outlined some of the problems facing the area and the Aboriginal people who live there. (Click the newsletter link if you'd like to see what I had to say then.)In September, the Mitchell Plateau Kandiwal Community (the people who actually live there) sent an open letter to Environment Minister Peter Garrett. (Click the link to read the letter.) Things went from bad to worse. Late last month, they issued an appeal asking for people to email the relevant ministers. (The email addresses are all in the linked document so it's easy to do.) If something isn't done, a small, eco-friendly community could disappear and the top few metres of much of the plateau could be scraped off leaving a few small preserved bits along the river. Anything you can do to help will be much appreciated. |
