Kakadu National Park

 

Kakadu is one of the world's special places. It is Australia's largest national park, but it isn't just the size that astounds visitors it is the sense of something very old and grand. Internationally recognized and World heritage listed for both natural and cultural values. Kakadu is a cultural landscape unlike any other place on earth.

Visitors are drawn by the park's incredibly rich assortment of flora and fauna - 1500 plant species, 300 kinds of birds, 75 reptiles which includes the dangerous saltwater crocodile , 50 native mammals, 30 amphibians, a quarter of all Australian freshwater fish, and 10,000 different insect species. 

 

Aborigines have lived in Kakadu for at least 25,000 years perhaps as long as 50,000 years, making the park one of the few World Heritage sites to be listed for both natural and cultural reasons. Today, Aboriginal people work in partnership with the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service in determining park policy and young Aborigines are trained as rangers and guides. Learning about Aboriginal legends and sacred sites enhances visitor’s appreciation of Kakadu. More than 1,000 Aboriginal art sites have been recorded.

 

During the lush green season Kakadu's flora puts on its most brilliant face. Between December and March visitors will see plants respond to the monsoonal showers with riotous growth. June to September is the main tourist season. Visiting during the wet season between December to March, is difficult because although the park is green and bountiful with wildflowers and birds, many of the tracks are flooded and inaccessible. During the dry, wildlife is concentrated in large numbers around the water holes. The Parks and Wildlife Service conduct free talks, walks, and slide shows for independent travellers. Walking tracks vary in length and grade, and pass through woodlands, grassy flood plains, wetland, monsoon rainforests, and sandstone country. Other activities are boating, fishing, scenic flights, boat tours, and 4WD tours.

 

To truly appreciate the Park your visit should include areas like Yellow Water Billabong and Mamukala - unique water environments which attract vast flocks of birds for the majority of the year.  A scenic flight by plane or helicopter over the vast expanse which is Kakadu National Park reveals its full majesty.

 

Other major attractions include:

 

Bowali Visitor Centre

Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre

Nourlangie Rock

Twin Falls Gorge

Gunlom

Jim Jim Falls

Ubirr

 

It is very possible to drive your own car and check out Kakadu. The only problem is two of the best attractions in Twin Falls Gorge and Jim Jim Falls are only accessible with a 4WD and they are not accessible during the large parts of the wet season also. You also miss out on all the local knowledge from a trained guide. But Kakadu is certainly very accessible to check out by yourself and a few mates. Kakadu national park is about a 3 hour drive from Darwin on an excellent sealed road. Entering the park for the south of the Northern Territory , take the entrance , just 60kms from Pine Creek.  Accommodation ranging from budget to three and a half stars is available.  Kakadu National Park is also famous for its campgrounds and camping facilities.

 

On the way the to Kakadu make sure you stop at the spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise located along the Adelaide River on the Arnhem Highway which is the highway, on your way to Kakadu from Darwin.