The scenic beauty of Jim Jim
Falls is a 656 ft high waterfall located in the Kakadu National Park, in the
Northern Territory, Australia. It is thought that about 140 million years ago
much of Kakadu was under a shallow sea. The prominent escarpment wall formed
sea cliffs and the Arnhem Land plateau formed a flat land above the sea. Today
the escarpment, which rises to 1,082 feet above the plains, extends over 500 km
along the eastern side of the Park and into Arnhem Land. It varies from
vertical cliffs in the Jim Jim Falls area to stepped cliffs and isolated
outliers in the north. In the “dry”, when access is possible via a 60 km dirt
road (the last 10,9 km) are really suitable for 4WD only, the water dries up
and the falls often don't fall. In the “wet” when the falls are at their most
spectacular, it is difficult to drive any vehicle into the area. It is very
imperative to know about weather of Jim Jim falls; actually it is dependent on
adverse weather and road conditions. There is no set opening date of Jim Jim
Falls, but from 10 years Gorge track opens from Mid-June to Mid-July. As season
may change access may be unpredictable. Jim Jim Gorge Track is an icon of the
region and must do for the fit and adventurous, so you must do trekking and
hiking with safety.
Another very important concern is
the removal of crocodiles, which is constant monitoring and removal of any
crocodiles in Jim Jim is a priority and sometimes the falls may be closed for
an extra week or so to trap any crocodile that has well wandered in. Jim Jim
track is closed during the wet season and there is a deep water crossing at Jim
Jim that must be crossed to carry on to Twin Falls. This is definitely 4WD
only; it is rough and corrugated in patches and sandy with drifts and sand
banks in other places, considerably a slow trip. If you are a self-drive or
hiring a 4 wheel drive vehicle rental or 4WD camper hire the hint is watch out
for the dust from passing motorists or drivers in front of you. Camping is only
allowed at end of Jim Jim track at designated camp site, but only in seasonal
access. The picnic area is situated along the Jim Jim falls access road on the
way to Twin Falls, before the Jim Jim Creek crossing and provides picnic facilities
under shady trees. Toilet facilities are also provided.