Willis's Walkabouts Newsletter 50, July 2010
The Green Centre — go this year! You may never have a chance to see the region like this again. I hadn't planned another newsletter so soon, but the rain this month made it too good to resist.
In this issue
The Green Centre
Since the beginning of January, there has been consistent rain throughout the Centre, perhaps the most consistent rain in living memory. There was more good rain earlier this month.
The desert is in bloom, birds are breeding and it's getting better. This would have been the perfect year to do one of our Red Centre trips (Green Centre this year). We had one booking on one trip so we had to cancel the lot. Normally that would have been the end of it, but the more I thought about it, the more I realised that I might never again have the opportunity to see the Centre like this. I don't really have the time, but I'm going. I'd prefer company to going on my own, but with or without a single client, I'm going.
One week in August — $300. It will probably be 15-21 August, but I'm flexible. I'll fix a date after I return from the bush on 29 July. I'll work out exactly where I'm going when I get there. I won't be doing any walk of more than two nights, just trying to see as many as possible of the best places I know in the short time I have available. No trip notes, but I'm open to suggestions.
Note.In addition to the $300, anyone joining me will have to put in a share of the cost of the 4WD vehicle which I'll need to hire to get to the walks. If you're interested, please send an email ASAP and I'll get back to you ASAP. (I'll be out bush 23-29 July.)
Can't or don't want to join me? Go on your own or go with someone else! Central Australia may never be this green again in your lifetime.
South Africa 2010 Update
The itinerary has almost been finalised.
- A couple of days in Cape Town, Table Mountain and more.
- Two nights in a cottage on the Cape of Good Hope — a magic spot we have all to ourselves.
- A 3 or 4 night walk in the Cedarberg.
- The Swellendam Trail — one I've wanted to do since hearing about it from two locals I met on another walk.
- Watching the whales at De Hoop
- The Harkerville Trail, one of the most spectacular coastal trails in the country. This will be the fourth time I've done it myself. That says how much I enjoy it.
- Short walks and one overnighter in the Drakensberg.
- Six nights in Kruger, three of which will be on a pack-carrying walk.
- And more, quite a bit more.
As of the date of this newsletter, we could still take at least one more, maybe as many as three. (There are currently five including myself.) See the completely revised and updated trip notes for the latest information.
Other Trips
2010
We've only got three definite departures left this year.
- Mitchell Plateau No. 3: 14-28 August
This trip has it all: waterfalls, pools, good fishing and Aboriginal art. It's also our least expensive trip to the Mitchell Plateau. What more could you want?
The trip notes updated 21 July have details of a $495 discount offer on this trip.
Besides the special price, we are also offering free transport from Darwin to Kununurra before the trip and from Kununurra to Darwin at the end. - Kakadu Highlights No. 8: 22 August - 4 September
This trip is divided into three sections, any of which can be done on its own. It is one of the few trips we are able to offer which go to Dinner Creek, a special area in southern Kakadu. - Kakadu Highlights No. 10: 19 September - 2 October
Three great walks any of which can be done on its own.
The family walk which was scheduled to begin on 26 September, has now been moved forward a day to 25 September and combined with the third section of Kakadu Highlights No. 10.
2011 — Plan Ahead
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see Jim Jim and/or Twin Falls when they are at their magnificent best, when there is no one there except for your walking companions. It can be done, but only if you plan ahead.
We've got two trips which visit the falls when they are otherwise closed to the general public.
- Kakadu Super Circle No. 1 in January.
- Kakadu Circle No. 1 in May.
Neither can run unless we put in a food drop in early November which is why we offer a 25% discount for those booking before then. Without early bookings, the trips won't run.
Get in early and you lock in the current price. Transport costs have gone up substantially on most of our Kimberley trips so the 2011 prices will have to rise. See Availability and Specials page on our website for the latest information on which trips have bookings and on the different special offers we may have.
Willis's Walkabouts in the News
The July issue of the ACF magazine Habitat mentioned in the last newsletter is now out and includes a great article about our Cockburn Ranges walk earlier this year. You can see it at Habitat Online on the ACF website. We're on pages 28 & 29.
That same issue has an article on sustainable cities in Australia (pages 16 & 17. I'm pleased to say that Darwin ranked number one, not so pleased with our large ecological footprint. Too many buildings designed for air conditioning rather than for our environment.
A Final Note
With only five days between my last trip and the next one beginning on Friday 23 July, I had planned to do an August newsletter when I had more time. But, when I heard about the latest rain in the Centre and talked to someone who had recently been there, I felt that I had to get something out as soon as possible. This much rain spread out over so much time may be a once in a lifetime experience. The whole region, South Australia and Western Australia as well as the NT, is green and growing in a way that hasn't been seen for decades.
If you want to see the Centre alive as you've never seen it before, go now or sometime in the next few months. You won't regret it.
Alas, no extra discounts this time, the offers on our Availability and Specials page are already as good as I can make them.
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Best wishes to all.
Russell Willis
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