Hi Mate, I start in october 2002 with motorcycle from Darwin to National park Kakado and then to the south (no specific plan. I will be in Australia for 4 months).
Who is doing the same route or have usefull advice / tips on what to see, visit etc.

Hi there - as far as I recall you're there of the early start of the rain season - if you're lucky enough to stay reasonbly dry you should defenitely go to those waterfalls all over the place!!! It's good to choose a tour-company and do a 3 day trip through kakadu 'cause those guys take you places you wouldn't have thought about otherwise...
...and they tell you a lot about Aborigines, Nature and Animals...

Anyhow - there's a gorgous little waterfall (it will be dry when you haven't had rain so far) with a beautifull bathtub kind of thing in between two steps of it - if you come into kakadu from the south it'll be a turnoff at the right side (maybe the first one - there aren't trillions).
Ask the locals and get a proper map there!!!
You'll find it, I'm sure - you need to turnoff - ride a few k's until you find a parking lot - you need to walk for around 20-30 minutes and there it is - go up halfway and you'll find the most beautiful spot for a bath in a river with natural seats and stuff!!!
Anyhow - try not to bath where crocodiles might be - they cannot climb, but if you don't see a waterfall down the river or you can't ask the locals BEWARE - you wouldn't be the first...
They're not all that nasty if you follow the rules every guide shows and every local will tell you!
Don't miss Litchfield either - smaller, but completely different things - and not as touristic!!!
You might be able to get to the Mataranka Hotsprings either - they're south of Katherine (they do have some in Katherine either - for free - but I'm not sure where) and are supposed to be great!!!

Watch out for the "old" route (Darwin-Katherine) - parts are still there and interesting to view as they get overgrown by nature...
Watch out for Brumbies and Cows - they're not all the nice when you bumb into the with a hundres k's - you can get them and kangaroos at any time, but worst is at dusk and dawn - I rode a lot at that time, but it's not very wise to do so...

Don't miss Daily waters - and if you can try touring the WEST-Coast - not the East!!!

Gee - whatever - got millions of things to say - just drop a note on the way and I'll see what I can do for you - anyhow - you should take A LOT OF WATER WITH you - I read you should drink at least a liter per hour of travelling - I didn't pay much attention to it, but much to my thirst and came to an impressing 8 Liters per day at the max...

The sun burns - even through your visor - take at least some minor sunsreen and don't think the sun's not there when you don't see it - get used to it - 10 min. sun, then 10 min. shade in turns - and if you feel alright increase the time - I was there for 6 month and in the end I could stay in the sun for up to 3 hours without so much as some red on my skin, but if I knew it was longer I PUT ON SUNSCREEN FROM THE BEGINNING!!!

Happy Travels - Mel...

I have just come down from Darwin to Perth, following the west coast. If you really want to see Kakadu properly then I would suggest doing a tour. I'm not normally a tour kind of person, but there are so many places that you can't get to by bike. Also special permits are required to access some areas. Not all tour companies can get these permits.
I did a 5 day tour with the Wilderness Tour company. They are based at the Wilderness Lodge on the main backpacker stretch in town.
I also recommend doing the west coast over the east. It's harder riding with some long distances between stops, but if you prepare with extra fuel (if ness. longest stretch is just under 300 km) and take lots of water. I was drinking a litre every time i stopped and even perfected the art of drinking whilst on the move.
If you like sleeping under the stars there are some beautiful rest areas along the way. most of them are beside rivers. you'll find the further south you get, the more chance of the rivers having water in them. Most are free to camp at, but they don't all have water tanks. they do have toilets though. (most rest areas on the east coast and in the centre have water tanks but no toilets!)
if you have any other questions about stuff e-mail me and i'll be happy to try and help.
have a good trip!
Nicky.

We'll be arriving in Darwin around the 15th October and are planning to ride to Melbourne via Perth. We're two up on a BMW GS so will be sticking to tarmac for most of the journey.

Goose
www.gooseontheloose.com