Kakadu/Litchfield - hire car or bring ours?

[peter_mcc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter_mcc]

We're looking at going to Kakadu & Litchfield NP in July next year and I'm wondering what's the best way to go about it.

We've only got 2 weeks and we're based in Sydney so the options I've come up with so far are:
- fly to Darwin & hire 4wd with rooftop tent
- get friends to drive our car/Tvan camper to Darwin (2 week car swap), we fly to Darwin to meet it, holiday, fly home and my Dad's happy to fly up and spend 4 weeks driving back

We wouldn't have to pay for the fuel to get the car driven up/back but I do have to pay for tyres & wear/tear. Given that it's about 10,000km return (with side trips) there would be $200 or so of tyre wear and a $210 service. Plus other wear.

Hiring a car seems ok but I'm wondering how restrictive that will be - lots of hire places restrict where you can take them. The Lost City in Litchfield seems off limits as well as other "remote areas".

I guess my big question is how much of Kakadu/Litchfield is there to see "off the beaten track"? If there isn't much then the hire car might be the way to go - since we wouldn't miss much. If there are great things to see that we're unlikely to see in a hire car then perhaps we should look to bring our own up...

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

All on Litchfield is accessible with the exception of The Lost city (as you have already noted) and the Reynolds River Track (and Blyth homestead) by 2wd vehicle.

Kakadu's "main" tourist attractions are accessible by 2wd for the most part but you will also miss out on some great sights with out a 4wd. Jim Jim falls/track, Gunlom, Koolpin Gorge etc require 4wd.

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

If you've only got two weeks, and if you're not keen on very long driving stints just to reach your destination (Syd to Dwn), I'd go 4wd rental. There's heaps of options available. Litchfield is mostly accessible to most attractive ruins without 4wd. Kakadu much the same but I'd still recommend 4wd if you intend on camping for ease of driving and to ensure no restrictions on access. Britz rentals very popular for this.

Enjoy your trip. What's on your wish/visit list? Are you after any recommendations?

[peter_mcc Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close peter_mcc]

Thanks guys. Definitely after recommendations. I've got the HEMA maps and have looked at the National Parks websites.

I'm keen to get to Jim Jim/Twin Falls & Koolpin Gorge (if we can get a permit). Katherine Gorge and the usual Kakadu spots.

Are there any less well known spots that are worthwhile visiting? We're up for a bit of a walk - 8-10kms, assuming it isn't stinking hot.

The Britz ones are kinda pricey - the Apollo one looks cheaper ($200-$250/day depending on insurance). It's a diesel Landcruiser 70 series wagon with a snorkel & roof tent - apparently they will be new in April 2016.

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AK7]

Kakadu's "main" tourist attractions are accessible by 2wd for the most part but you will also miss out on some great sights with out a 4wd. Jim Jim falls/track, Gunlom, Koolpin Gorge etc require 4wd.

Wow. 4WD to get into Gunlom? Mum used to take us camping there regularly back when it was best known as UDP Falls, in her Corolla.