Thirty years ago, the film Crocodile Dundee catapulted Kakadu into the international spotlight. User-submitted Waterfall Write-up of the Month, and the latest news and updates both within the website as well as around the wonderful world of waterfalls. I went across to the Kimberley as well, but in those days it was even more remote than Kakadu and I knew there would be a crew of 150 – 200 people, so I had to think of the logistics and Kakadu made more sense. “The Ja Ja Camp was set up by PanContinental Mining to house the workers for the proposed Jabiluka uranium mine, but the camp had never been occupied because they were waiting for approval from the Federal Government. I loved my time up there. It was perfect, so we contacted PanContinental and they agreed that we could lease it off them for the period of the shooting. Fortunately, swimming in Gunlom Falls is safe, explains the nice lady in the Visitors Information Centre. The campground was our favourite out of everywhere - lovely warm showers, clean toilets, loads of space and open fires available. The pools at the top of Gunlom Falls (also known as Waterfall Creek Falls) are one of nature’s only natural infinity pools. No one went up to the East Alligator River – we had to cut roads into there – but because I had spent a lot of time in Arnhem Land working with Gapuwiyak, I had a permit to go in and I knew quite a few people in Oenpelli. Some old guy just told me the falls were down the track and it took me a few weeks to find the falls. If you so wish, you can recreate scenes from Crocodile Dundee, where it was filmed in this pool over thirty years ago. I did a lot with local Aboriginal groups and spent a lot of time with them. from 200.00. Today this series of waterholes at the top of an escarpment is famous in its own right. [more], Copyright 2020 World Of Waterfalls, All Rights Reserved ... there is a risk of crocs! The name of Barramundi Gorge or also known as Barramundie Gorge in Kakadu National Park has been changed to Maguk in the southern end of … Only the main road was sealed and there were no hotel facilities at all as far as I can remember, just a few ‘dongas’. At the time, Kakadu was better known as a mining site, with uranium at the forefront. “Lots of these places were really hard to get to, but I went in there with a 4WD and cut roads where we needed to. “I was brought in as the location scout for the film because I’d spent a lot of time in the Northern Territory. Linda Kozlowski, a relatively unknown US actor, played the role of journalist, Sue Charlton, and while she discovered that the story of Mick’s severed leg might have been exaggerated slightly, she fell for both the man and the remarkable Kakadu landscape. “We were so concerned we had a crocodile expert from Darwin and when we filmed the scene where the croc jumps out and grabs Linda’s water bottle we actually did that in a billabong very close to Darwin. Gunlom Falls can be reached via a 4X4 vehicle due to the beaten track (which sometimes hosts floods and thus it is closed throughout the wet season) The trak Opens in early May … There is a side walk to top of the gorge, also a goat track where you end up at the tp pools. The pool on top of the cliffs remains open for most of the dry season, but the bottom pools can occasionally close due to crocodile sightings. It is perhaps most famous for making an appearance in the movie Crocodile Dundee. It is truly beautiful and we swam for hours. Today, we backtracked a little way into Kakadu to Gunlom Falls, about an hour inside the southern entrance to the park. Current status: Seasonal closure. Gunlom Falls is located in Kakadu National Park, the falls can be viewed from an all access easy walk out to the bottom of the falls, known as the Gunlom Billabong. If you’re lucky and arrive early in the tourist season you may see the falls in full flow, the Gunlom Billabong was made famous in the movie Crocodile … 37kms from the main Kakadu highway. Paul Hogan had a four bedroom house with a massive dining room capable of seating 20 for dinner. There were a lot of uranium signs around there at the time, and some old uranium tracks – that was about it. It is also known as UDP Falls or Waterfall Creek. Is It Necessary? In fact, our passion for waterfalling is so strong that we’ve not only traveled the world looking for them, but we’ve created this website to share our personal experiences with you! The territory’s most famous infinity pool, and a major stop on any Kakadu pilgrimage. Day 3 Gunlom Falls Travel by 4WD through the southern end of Kakadu to visit famous Gunlom Falls, and the plunge pool suitable fora swim, plus the stunning Ikoymarrwa Rock Pool. they should be open know In fact, the bottom pool at Gunlom is teeming with crocodiles. We were the only ones there all day and overnight. Gunlom was originally known as UDP Falls many years ago as it was the camp site of the 'Uranium Development & Prospecting Company'. We used to bring in touring groups for the Department of Foreign Affairs for their cultural exchange programme. It’s total rubbish! “I always thought of Kakadu as an incredibly interesting and diverse destination, and as it had never really been showcased before, I thought it would be a great location to shoot Crocodile Dundee. But it looked pretty real. The Gunlom Billabong at the base of the waterfall was made famous by the film ‘Crocodile Dundee’, and provides a cool, quiet resting place. The Gunlom Falls plunge pool is an infinity pool designed by nature. Located in the southern entrance to Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory ().). About 150 people ... CROCOdilE sAfETY Park rangers check Gunlom for estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles at the end of each wet season. Craig Bolles: “The location was terribly important for the success of the film. “I got into films via film called Manganinnie, which was a film about a Tasmanian Aboriginal woman who searches for her tribe with the company of a young, lost white girl. Entrance Fee: A 14-day pass to Kakadu National Park costs $25 per person and can be bought here. How to get to Maguk Gorge or Barramundi Gorge in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory Australia Kakadu National Park Australia - . In fact, such was the prominence of uranium that the region’s most famous tourism attraction – Gunlom Falls – was originally known as UDP Falls, because it was the early camp site of the Uranium Development & Prospecting Company. This used to be the UPD Falls when we visited 30 years ago. I got a call from a Producer saying could I organise a shoot for some Aboriginal actors, so I did that and it turned out to be a quite successful film, and because it dealt with wilderness and Aboriginal issues it led to me being contacted by the Crocodile Dundee producers. In all the time we were there, we saw no one. “Even filming at a relatively accessible location like Ubirr Rock – where we did the 360 degrees panorama – was a real ordeal because we had to carry in all the tracks and gear, and equipment was really heavy in those days. Paul was quite a popular TV character in those days, but there was still considerable scepticism in the industry about how it would go. The road to Gunlom will usually close in the wet season. One of our favourite hikes in Kakadu National Park was Gunlom falls. In the Footsteps of Crocodile Dundee – the story behind Kakadu’s starring role, Important Information regarding COVID-19 – Click Here. Finish the day with drinks and canapés by a private billabong. Crocodile warning signs and Crocodile Management Zones are not found everywhere. I suggested WA, a place such as the Bungle Bungles, because I wanted to create another look for it, but Paul and John Cornell were keen to go back to Kakadu, which is why I pushed into Arnhem Land and Cannon Hill…places like that to mix up the locations. “I just thought it was a great place because I had spent quite a lot of time there taking directors through the area for potential film shoots, including Jean-Jacques Annaud, who directed the film Quest for Fire. Kakadu Tourism is an indigenous owned collection of Kakadu wetland cruises, 4WD Kakadu tours, cultural experiences and Kakadu accommodation. But there was no way we could have got everyone in there except by chopper, which just wasn’t feasible. Always obey signage regarding crocodile safety. Gunlom Falls at Waterfall Creek, formerly known as UDP falls, was one of the backdrops for the film “Crocodile Dundee”. With its panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, it feels like the Outback’s finest infinity pool. Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel is located in the township of Jabiru and is ideally located for visitors to explore the north of Kakadu, including Ubirr, Cahills Crossing and Magella Creek. I had a real passion for the Territory. Gunlom Falls featured in the movie Crocodile … “I had an open brief to choose anywhere in Australia that I thought suitable. I found galleries in there that are possibly more impressive that Nourlangie and Ubirr put together. I just never told anyone about them because they still had skulls and skeletons inside the caves so I just left them as they were because they were probably sacred sites. Maguk. There is a pool also at the bottom where people swim- I skip that one. Book your tickets online for Gunlom Waterfall Creek, Kakadu National Park: See 343 reviews, articles, and 291 photos of Gunlom Waterfall Creek, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor … Gunlom Falls is a 30-metre waterfall located in Kakadu National Park. “When I identified UDP Falls (now Gunlom) as a setting it was still very dangerous territory. Stayed at Gunlom as the last visit on our Kakadu trip. Gunlom Falls (also called UDP Falls or Waterfall Creek) is one of the most popular places in Kakadu National Park. Gunlom Falls is located on Waterfall Creek in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park approx. Gunlom is at the top of the escarpment, and after you have climbed the goat track up you will see why its fine. There is a pool also at the bottom where people swim- I skip that one. Funnily enough, it was probably more sophisticated than Jabiru in those days. Also fine. In fact, he took points rather than a wage, so did very well, because the film ended up grossing over $300 million.”. “It was an amazing experience for the Paul, Linda and whole crew because the bush was very special, but it was tempered by the fact that they were surrounded by 150 people on a film set. It’s impossible not to … He was originally going to shoot that in Kakadu, so I spent a lot of time cruising around Kakadu looking for suitable settings. This pool is So for instance, Crocodile Dundee says that the lake at Gunlom Falls is safe to swim in because the crocs won’t go near mineral water. He seemed to fit into the landscape perfectly. “I found amazing places, almost better than that, but there was the whole croc issue where I had to be 100% sure they could swim in the pools without being eaten, because even when I was flying in the chopper we could see croc tracks in some bizarre places. Subscribe and get exclusive curated content delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. Gunlom is part of Waterfall Creek, one of the major tributaries of the upper South Alligator River. It was set up for mining executives and full time workers coming in with their families, so it was pretty flash. In 1964 mining stopped I’d just heard about these places through working with Aboriginal people and wandering around doing film survey work. I don't recall if there was any mention of crocs but it was fresh water so they would only have been the Johnston…, “No 4WD Access” (Top End, Australia – June 3, 2006 to June 7, 2006), Australia Outback Road Trip Itinerary – June 1, 2006 to June 23, 2006. Gunlom Falls isn't open right now, but it's expected to reopen on Saturday 1 May 2021. “The facilities were good. I even learned to speak some of the language. We had to get someone into grade the track so we could get the trucks and buses in. Kakadu National Park Tourism; Kakadu National Park Hotels; Kakadu National Park Packages; Flights to Kakadu National Park; Kakadu National Park Restaurants While Paul Hogan may have been the face of the film, the man responsible for selecting the locations and transforming a relatively untamed landscape into a film set was a young man by the name of Craig Bolles, who was based in the Northern Territory and had a very thorough knowledge of the Top End and its almost secret sites. Photo by Ludo Kuipers, Sat May 01, 1982. “Finding the locations for the shoot wasn’t as easy as it may look today. Aug 13, 2016. Today, it is tourism that glows brightly for Kakadu, and the region owes a massive debt to Paul Hogan for bringing the Northern Territory outback region to international prominence. At the time, Kakadu was better known as a mining site, with uranium at the forefront. It’s also where Crocodile Dundee perched wearing little-more than a crocodile-skin v. ... Gunlom Falls, Kakadu National Park, NT. “I had a helicopter pilot called Shane – an ex hairdresser from Melbourne – who decided to become a helicopter pilot and we just hung out for quite some time and we’d go up looking for sites and I’d just see a spectacular spot and say ‘put me down there’. #Gunlom falls in darwin Australia #super ganda #northern Territory australia #things to do in australia #crocodile place #dilikadong lugar #may mga buwaya #place to visit in … Gunlom Falls, Kakadu National Park, NT. Gunlom Falls first became famous when it starred alongside Paul Hogan in the 1986 movie Crocodile Dundee. It showcased a part of Australia that I don’t think had been seen by most Australians, let alone foreigners, and it was inherent with Paul’s nature. Gunlom Lower Plunge Pool (1/10 difficulty) Gunlom Top Pools (7/10 difficulty) “Looking back at it now, it cost $8.6 million for Croc 1, which doesn’t sound all that much, but no one had any idea how it was going to be. Perfect for swimming and photography. “When it came to filming Crocodile Dundee 2 I actually said we should mix it up and go somewhere else. Even in these zones you should be cautious. We are independently owned so content written by us merely reflect our own opinions. Kakadu Tourism spoke to Craig about how a sparkle of idea in Paul Hogan’s mind translated into one of the most successful and visually significant films in Australian cinema history. Gunlom was known as UDP Falls because it was the early camp site of the Uranium Development and Prospecting Company. The Gunlom Plunge Pool is only a 200m flat grade track to the large pool at the base of the falls. It is also a few kilometers away from Bowali Visitors Centre, Kakadu National Park’s excellent centre for information and displays of the region. disgusted by the fact 5-6 rangers spent half there day doing so called aboriginal ground cooking rather than opening access to major attractions. Gunlom Falls was the replacement waterfall of our pre-booked Jim Jim Falls Land Tour, and as you can see from this photo, it would’ve been a real bummer to have missed out on Jim Jim Falls We stayed in Cooinda, which was the home of the Yellow Water Cruise on the Jim Jim Billabong, where you can see Saltwater Crocodiles like this one. Road in was bumpy - full of corrugations. This is the only large tropical river system in the world to be entirely protected within … I did all the location scouting for the film, then handed it over to a Location Manager and came in as Second Assistant Director for the film. Australia: When Is The Best Time To Visit? The content on this website may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission.HOME ♦ PRIVACY POLICY ♦ TERMS, Affiliate Disclosure: We receive compensation from companies whose products or services are used, referenced, or reviewed regardless of whether we endorse or criticize them. Gunlom Waterfall Creek: swim with a crocodile - See 337 traveller reviews, 291 candid photos, and great deals for Kakadu National Park, Australia, at Tripadvisor. About 150 people lived in the area at the peak of this activity and in 1956 the company built a cricket pitch here. Maguk. Gunlom Falls. Here, however, most tourists tend to stop going further, but those who want to escape the crowds can walk via a steep 10-15 minute trail to the actual waterfall. Gulung Mardrulk, Northern Territory. “I had a 4WD and found the place along the Bardedjilidji Walk where we shot a lot of Crocodile Dundee 2, and just around the corner from there was an amazing art gallery in a cave where there were still full skeletons, but I obviously didn’t let anyone go near that. On this Adventure with Bernie I travel to Gunlom Falls in World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia. Gunlom is at the top of the escarpment, and after you have climbed the goat track up you will see why its fine. In fact, I discovered lots of amazing locations, with beautiful waterfalls, that might have looked even better on film, but they were just too hard to get a whole crew into. There is a beautiful, big swimming pool below the waterfall and … The Mary River Roadhouse is another 48km to the famous Gunlom Falls. Climb to the top of the waterfall This is a short and moderately challenging climb but the view from the top is amazing. more. Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls and Gunlom Falls are all within reach of Maguk Waterfall off the Kakadu Highway. For instance, UDP Falls (Gunlom) was connected by a dirt track that you wouldn’t find it you didn’t know where it was. Large pool at the time, and some old guy just told me the were... Be the UPD Falls When we visited 30 years ago as it was the early camp site of shooting... 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