> Attractions
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> Attractions
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Kakadu National Park Kakadu National Park is just 257km from Darwin along the sealed Arnhem Highway. In its 19,000sq km, it is home to around 275 species of birds, 75 species of reptiles, 25 species of frogs, an estimated 10,000 species of insects and 1,600 plant species comprising more than a third of the Top End's plant life. The name "Kakadu" comes from "Gagudju" - the main Aboriginal language used in the Northern part of the area at the start of the 20th century. Today, three major languages are spoken within the park - Gundjeihmi / Mayali, Kunwinjku and Jawoyn. For at least 50,000 years, Aboriginal people have continuously lived in the area now defined by the National Park, leaving behind shelters, stone tools, grindstones and ochre for ceremonial painting. The parts of their legacy most visitors come to see are the famous Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock, where Dreamtime legend, and day-to-day lining are presented side-by-side. The rock art galleries reveal sprayed hand stencils, hunters carrying barbed spears and creation beings Namarrgon the Lightning Man and Ngalyod the Rainbow Serpent. Fish, birds and animals are presented x-ray style, revealing internal organs and bone structures. There are as many as 5,000 other recorded sites scattered throughout the Park. The sandstone escarpment to the east, soaring 100 to 200 metres, is a celebration of waterfalls like Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls and Gunlom. Between November and March, when the rains come to the Top End, Kakadu National Park springs to life. The floodplains fill to become an endless sea of birdlife and the waterfalls roar their loudest. Waving meadows of speargrass grow 2 metres high in just a few short weeks. A scenic flight by plane or helicopter will leave you gasping at the beauty of Kakadu in the Tropical Summer. How To Get To Kakadu You can either drive yourself (some areas may need 4WD to access), take a light aircraft from Darwin to Jabiru or take a tour from Darwin. Tours are many and varied, so think about what sort you would like and there will be one suited for you. For example 4WD, minibus or luxury coach. Accommodation
Things To See And Do The longer you stay in the Park, the more you will enjoy it, so plan at least a few days. The Bowali Visitors Centre is the best place to understand Kakadu. You can get advice from the Rangers, find out when the guided walks and talks are on, be advised on road conditions, or find out about permits for those special restricted hideaways like Koolpin Gorge. The escarpment outliers shelter some of the world's oldest Aboriginal rock art galleries. Ebara and Nourlangie Rock are two major public sites featuring rock art and living shelters and there are as many as 5,000 other recorded sites scattered throughout the Park. On the flood plains, water-lily-covered billabongs such as Yellow Water and Mamukala attract large flocks of waterbirds year-round. The sandstone escarpment to the east soars up to 200 metres. Scenic flights enable you to view the escarpment and spectacular waterfalls during the tropical summer, such as Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls. Viewing the Aboriginal art sites, boat cruises through the wetlands, bushwalking and scenic photography are all popular activities for visitors to Kakadu. During the dry season (Apr-Oct) Rangers conduct guided walks and talks at a number of destinations within the Park. Bowali Visitor Centre, located 5 km from Jabiru, contains a wealth of information regarding Kakadu. Information staff, displays and a library are all available to help you plan your visit. Mamukala Wetlands: On the Arnhem Highway 29km from Jabiru, Mamukala is beautiful all year round but is at its most dramatic in the late Dry Season, when thousands of Magpie Geese congregate to feed. Choose from a 1km to 3km walk to see more of the wetlands. Open all year round, entry is free. There are 2 major 4WD tracks in the area - the Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head) Track which accesses Two Mile Hole and Four Mile Hole, and the Red Lily and Alligator Billabong Track.
Bowali Visitor Centre: Kakadu Highway, 2.5km from Jabiru. The Bowali display illustrates two ways of looking at Kakadu National Park; the Gukburlerri (Aboriginal) and Guhbele (non-Aboriginal) views. This impressive display helps to give visitors a greater appreciation and understanding of the Park. Open daily 8am-5pm, entry is free. There are also several walking tracks in the area that make there way through the woodlands and across the floodplains. They are several kilometres in length. Ubirr: At the northern end of the Park, and 36km from Jabiru, Ubirr has culturally priceless paintings and sweeping views of the surrounding wetlands. Those wishing to climb in the late afternoon, will be spoilt with beautiful sunsets overlooking the wetlands. Usually open year round, entry is free. East Alligator River: An attractive stretch of tidal river that forms the boundary between Kakadu and Arnhem Land. Commercial boat cruises are available, and boat ramps are located both upstream and downstream of Cahills Crossing. The Bardedjilidji Walk is one of Kakadu's most interesting short walks, winding 2.5kms through the sandstone outliers of the escarpment. Nourlangie Rock: 12km from Kakadu Highway, a 1.5km circular walk will take you past an ancient Aboriginal shelter and several outstanding art sites. For the adventurous, there is also a moderately steep climb to Gunwarddehwardde lookout, which provides impressive views of Kakadu's escarpment and Nourlangie Rock. Open all year round, entry is free. Continuing on from the Nourlangie car park, the road provides access to several interesting walks and Aboriginal art areas including Anbangbang Billabong, the Nanguluwur art site, and Gubara Pools. Yellow Water Billabong: 6.5km off the Kakadu Highway near Cooinda. A pristine environment which supports a wonderful variety of plants, birds and animals. If you're lucky, you may even see a Sea Eagle dive from the sky and catch a fish with its keen eyesight. Boardwalks and cruises (either 1.5hr or 2hrs) are popular providing great views of the wildlife abounding. Open daily, however check for boardwalk access, and entry is free. Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre: 4.5km off Kakadu Highway near Cooinda, this centre displays the creation era as interpreted by the Bininj people. Signs invite the visitor to move through the display, as a Rainbow Serpent (creation ancestor) moves through the country. Open daily from 9am-5pm, entry is free. Gunlom (Waterfall): 37km from Southern Entry Ranger Station, Gunlom has the magical combination of waterfall and serene plunge pool, with shady gums cooling the picnic areas. Open from April to November, entry is free but camping fees apply. Maguk (Waterfall): 12km off Kakadu Highway, a 2km return walk through beautiful monsoon forest leads you to a small waterfall and clear plunge pool that is a great place to cool off after your walk. Open May to November, entry is free. Several picturesque picnic areas can be found in this area, as well as other smaller plunge pools and waterfalls set in monsoonal forest. The Mary River area of Kakadu represents just one sector of the much larger Mary River Wetland National Park.
Jim Jim Falls: Only 60km off the Kakadu Highway, the trip in to the falls takes 2 hours. After the rains, when water flows from the soaring sandstone escarpment, it's an awe inspiring sight. During the Dry Season, the rock pool with its white sandy beach is permanent. Open for 4WD access only from June to November, entry is free. Twin Falls: 70km off the Kakadu Highway, the bumpy ride to Twin Falls is rewarded with crystalline sandy beaches, dense surrounding forest and two waterfalls that plunge into the cool, crystal clear pool. An adventure in itself. Open May to November, entry is free. Koolpin Gorge: 46km from Kakadu Highway. A beautiful gorge, but access is restricted to keep it in its pristine state. A permit and entry key must be organised in advance. Open for 4WD access only from May to November, a deposit for the entry key is required
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