The Jatbula Trail in the Nitmiluk National Park features magnificent waterfalls that tumble from high quartzite cliffs, shady monsoon forests that line the creeks and stunning Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art that adorns the caves and overhangs. Jatbula’s family still live in the area today and continue to help look after country. For instance, I only decided to join my August trip a few months earlier. Apart from that moment when you step off the 90 second boat trip at the start, all the areas of the Jatbula Trail are saltwater crocodile free. It is only marked in one direction, from Katherine Gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls). The most we ever carried was 3-4 litres on the longest day of 17kms, when the track leaves one creek system and you walk over the plateau and drop into another. 011-61-(0)8-8972-2224, www.geckocanoeing.com.au). Jakob shared what he knew about the ancient rock paintings, with suggestions that one of the main figures represented Bula or Pula, one of the most significant figures in the creation stories of the Jaowyn people. Pack weight up in Jatbula is also due to the amount of water you’ve got to carry. The great news is that over the last few years there’s been a lot of work done in the various state National Park offices on developing sustainable overnight and short multi-day (4-7 day) trips. The Jatbula Trail in the Nitmiluk National Park features magnificent waterfalls tumbling from high quartzite cliffs where shady monsoon forests line the creeks and stunning Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art adorns the caves and overhangs. I try to store all of this stuff in my walking pack. Taken by force and without recognition of those who truly call it country. Seriously, the best food I’ve ever had in the wilderness. Special permission is required to walk between 1 October and 31 May. Now, before the coffee freaks like, freakout, you’ll be pleased to know that the morning’s breakfast coffee was made with Vittoria grounds, made bush style in a large pot and the ‘tap technique’ to allow the grains to settle, then served with a ladle. With crystal-clear creeks throughout, there are abundant opportunities for swimming and just relaxing in the warm, croc-free waters. Not that I was going to complain, certainly after the exceptional quality of the meals that the guides prepared for us started to appear. Day 2 – Trek to Crystal Falls. You will walk in the footsteps of generations of Jawoyn who traditionally travelled this land over sandstone plateau scrub, woodlands, monsoon forests and riverine landscapes. In part 2, we discover the Amphitheatre and my favourite campsite of all! Post navigation ← Hiking Food – Plumpy Nut Review. Being Northern Australia, where the two seasons of ‘wet’ (Nov-Apr) and ‘dry’ (May-Oct) rule, you really want to choose carefully and wisely when you want to go. These signs and journeys make me pause to consider those, who for 40,000 years have lived, loved, worked and fought in and for this country… country I now call home. Today you can enjoy the Trail as a five or six day walk. No spam. This five day hike is a must do. It starts at Nitmiluk Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park and finishes at Edith Falls (Aboriginal Jawoyn language: Leliyn).. Jatbula Day 4: A long day (early start), a vegetation change and lots of mud as you reach the Edith River. The Jatbula Trail is a trip of a lifetime located in the Northern Territory, giving you the opportunity to walk through Nitmiluk National Park from the famous Nitmiluk Gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls). The terrain is varied, beautiful and wild. Again, a benefit of a guide instead of carrying a guide book. Read our trip report: 5 Days on the Jatbula Trail, Day 1 – Drive to Katherine Gorge, Trek to Biddlecombe Cascades, Day 3 – Trek to the Amphitheatre then on to 17 Mile Falls, Day 6 – Trek to Leliyn (Edith Falls) and return to Darwin, All group camping equipment including mosquito net, sleeping mats, groundsheet (tarpaulin), stoves, cooking and eating utensils, Emergency communications and group first aid kit, Unsure? **Yes, in Australia, we have an ice-cream called a Gaytime. I thought, “Aha… surely there must be art there!” We weren’t disappointed. But considering the number of man-eating saltwater crocs in this river, it’s $7 well spent! It’s open year-round, though it’s best walked during the dry season, from June to September. This makes the process of packing for a trip fairly easy: tip everything out on the floor … The Jatbula is one of the iconic Australian bushwalks and follows the traditional song line of the Jawoyn people. Read our trip report: 5 Days on the Jatbula Trail . The things that I store outside the pack for any reason are on a list that lives inside the pack. Description. Jatbula Trail: Top tips for Jatbula trail - See 64 traveller reviews, 96 candid photos, and great deals for Katherine, Australia, at Tripadvisor. The Jatbula has been there for millennia, but 2006 was the first year any outfitter offered guided treks: Gecko Canoeing & Trekking (tel. This gives the walk an interesting community feel, where you spend all day walking alone only to find the same familiar faces at the campsite each night – each of whom we will enjoy getting to know progressively over the week. ... We recommend that you pack lightly and limit the space required. At the end of the walk, the picturesque pool and sandy beach of the next camp is a complete contrast to the rocky falls of the night before. The hike should take approximately 5 days to complete. As you can imagine, this books up very quickly each year when the bookings open in November for the following year. I read a few blogs and articles from expert hikers who are also photographers. Bushwalking and Hiking Tips from an Unexpected Outdoors Chick. Paradise continued as the sun set as we got stuck into the first of our tasty dinners – a spicy chilli con carne. The Jatbula Trail is a 5-day hike through everchanging ecosystems in Nitmiluk National Park. This cluster of rocks, standing up to 20m high, are a standout on the skyline as you approach them. The Jatbula Trail, within the Nitmiluk National Park of the Northern Territory, falls within this style of trek, as it is 65kms and traditionally done over 5 nights and 6 days. ... Overnight Hike Packing List… A beautiful cascade series of pools, about 20m wide to choose as your personal bath and pounding back massage, before the water tumbles endlessly over the final 10m drop to continue downstream. The Jatbula Trail, within the Nitmiluk National Park of the Northern Territory, falls within this style of trek, as it is 65kms and traditionally done over 5 nights and 6 days. The Jatbula Trail is a trip of a lifetime located in the Northern Territory, giving you the opportunity to walk through Nitmiluk National Park from the famous Nitmiluk Gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls). 3 – Travelers may carry liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in containers of 3.4oz (100ml) or smaller. It’s a moderately challenging hike with a full pack, doable by any able adult but best enjoyed if you have a good level of fitness, even better if you’ve practiced carrying a full pack. The Jatbula Trail in the Nitmiluk National Park features magnificent waterfalls tumbling from high quartzite cliffs where shady monsoon forests line the creeks and stunning Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art adorns the caves and overhangs. Besides it being used during the Fall on the Camino last year, it is about the same as what I used to thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail and the Colorado Trail (most of which sits above 9,000 feet / 2743 meters in elevation. WHAT EQUIPMENT TO BRING FOR THE JATBULA TRAIL ADVENTURE. Copyright © 2012-2020 Caro (Carolyn) Ryan. This breathtaking Top End adventure is one of the most popular walking trails with our travellers. 1 Woolen/Polar fleece jumper. The Jatbula Trail in the Nitmiluk National Park features magnificent waterfalls tumbling from high quartzite cliffs where shady monsoon forests line the creeks and stunning Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art adorns the caves and overhangs. The Jatbula Trail is a medium to hard walk for reasonably fit and active people with some bushwalking experience – (Capable of walking over rough ground with up to 15kg backpack). The Jatbula Trail is a 62 kilometres (39 mi) one-way walking trail in the Northern Territory of Australia. Jatbula Day 4: A long day (early start), a vegetation change and lots of mud as you reach the Edith River. What does paradise look like? The Jatbula Trail is a 62 kilometre one way walk, departing from Nitmiluk Gorge, traversing the western edge of the Arnhem Land escarpment and finishing at Leliyn (Edith Falls). ... Mozzie coils and repellant have been added to the packing list for the next trip! Aug 4, 2018 - Part 1 of hiking the 65km, 6 day Jatbula Trail in Northern Territory Australia. The hike follows the western edge of the Arnhem Land escarpment over sandstone plateau and through woodlands, open forest, monsoon forest and riverine landscapes. That is the key point about the Jatbula, the entire trail follows the ancient songline pathway of the Jaowyn aboriginal people, who would walk from waterhole to waterhole to move between Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) and Edith Falls. Five or six day walk only group booked on to the amount of water you ’ ve ever in. 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