Some of the tropical north’s most iconic natural attractions remain off limits to grey nomads and other visitors even as the tourist season there kicks into high gear.
In the Northern Territory’s Kakadu National Park, for example, top spots including Koolpin Gorge, Maguk and Jim Jim Falls are still closed to visitors.
While it would take a lot to spoil the joy and excitement of arriving in the tropical north – and most people understand that Mother Nature rules the roost in this rugged country – there is naturally still some disappointment that access to these incredibly beautiful locations is being denied.
It’s a fact recognised by the Northern Territory Tourism Minister Malarndirri McCarthy, who urges visitors to be patient.
“I think we have to realise that we did have an incredibly long and heavy wet season,” she said. “I’m sure those who are out at Kakadu are very conscious of the impact that is having.”
That is almost certainly true and we all understand that safety is of paramount importance.
The bottom line is that after seasonal rainfall of about three metres, waters are yet to recede to normal dry season levels in some areas, and crocodile surveys are still being carried out at Maguk, Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls.
Park operations manager Hank Schinkel says staff are also working to repair sections of Jim Jim Falls Road that were washed away during the wet season.
He says he hopes it will reopen later this month.
“Everything is prioritised and we have worked with the tourism industry to ensure that we can get Jim Jim and Twin Falls open as soon as possible,” he said.
Good work, Hank.
On a more positive note – and in a sign that things are improving – three Top End swimming holes have just re-opened including the popular one at Berry Springs Nature Park, south of Darwin. Authorities say the swimming hole has now dropped to a safe level, debris has been cleaned up and the feeder creek has been surveyed for crocodiles. There were apparently no sightings over five nights but checks for crocodiles will continue throughout the dry season. The other swimming holes to re-open are at the Northern Rockhole and Jatbula Trail in Nitmiluk National Park near Katherine.
Unfortunately, Howard Springs Nature Park’s waterhole remains closed while half of Litchfield’s swimming holes are also shut. The Northern Territory News reports that the closure of three Litchfield waterholes at Sandy Creek, Surprise Creek and Wangi Falls is due to impassable roads and these are all are expected to re-open by the middle of this month.
The Manton Dam, 60km south of Darwin, remains closed due to high water levels and the risk of saltwater crocodiles. The dam was expected to re-open for swimming last month but crocodile surveying is being conducted.
Sigh! While it’s obviously a shame that some of the spots we can normally enjoy at this time of the year aren’t available, I am sure we all understand that it is better to be completely safe than very, very, sorry! And there is still plenty to keep us occupied!
