Kakadu National Park

The vast protected area of cultural and natural significance, Kakadu National Park, lies in the remote tropical north of Australia. It is revered for it rugged escarpments, flood plains and abundant wildlife and Aboriginal artwork. There are stunning waterfalls, gorges, bushwalking tracks, billabongs, birds, native wildlife, ancient landforms and plant life to see.

Kakadu is 3.5 hours drive east of Darwin and can be visited as a day trip. Accommodation within the park can be found at Jabiru and Cooinda.

Image: Mamukala Wetlands, Nourlangie Aboriginal Rock Art, Yellow Waters and Nardab plains from Ubirr look-out.

Choosing the right time of year is important in Kakadu. There are two distinctive seasons: the dry, cool season from April to September and the hot, wet season from December to March. The months of October and November are called the 'build-up' and are the hottest and driest times of the year. It is usually more comfortable to visit during the dry season.

It is thought that the first people came to Australia via the Top End, where the rock walls of Kakadu feature more than 20,000 years of art, including X-ray style paintings. Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock Art sites have outstanding galleries and companion interpretive panels that give insight into Aboriginal customs and culture.

Indigenous people now play an important part in the management of national parks and land that has been recently restored to them including Kakadu.

Mamukala Wetlands near the entrance to the park, has a large bird-hide where visitors can watch thousands of migratory birds and thirsty wildlife stop at the waterhole for a welcome rest .

A must-do activity in Kakadu is a river cruise along Yellow Waters and the South Alligator river from Cooinda. When water is scarce in the dry season, animals and birds migrate to available water sources in billabongs and rivers. It"s a great opportunity to see otherwise elusive creatures.

The networks of roads around the park are well-maintained, sealed roads that can be navigated with a conventional car. Be sure to pack a water bottle, hat, sunscreen and insect repellent against flies and mosquitoes. Park Use fees apply are collected at the entrance to the park and children under 16 are free of cost.

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