GORV - Digital Magazine Issue #39 | Page 48

MARY RIVER REGION The next region (and the last along the Kakadu Highway) is Mary River. Most of the highlights here are accessible by 4WD tracks. The easiest caravan camping is at Gungurul and Mary River Roadhouse. Maguk, with its lovely waterfall and plunge pool, can be found via a 12km 4WD track and offers tent camping. Perhaps the most popular spot in this region is Gunlom Falls, and it is that very popularity that requires some careful timing. The 35km unsealed road to the campground can be utterly horrible on a long weekend or during holidays. When exposed to heavy use, the road deteriorates to the point that towing a van would be foolish, and even 4WDs are in for a thorough thrashing. Having said that, the moderately difficult hike up to the top of the falls is rewarded with an ‘infinity pool’ that demands a swim, and further up are cascades racing over and around the boulders. So the next time someone says Kaka-don’t to you, don’t believe them. READ FULL STORY