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Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park [1] is in the Northern Territory of Australia, 171 km east of Darwin.
Culture and History
The name 'Kakadu' comes from an aboriginal floodplain language called Gagudju which was one of the languages spoken in the north of the park at the beginning of the twentieth century. Gagudju is no longer regularly spoken but descendants of this language group are still living in Kakadu.
History
The park was established in 1981. It is governed by Environment Australia / Parks Australia and Aboriginal traditional land owners (the Gun-djeihmi, Kunwinjku and Jawoyn peoples).
Landscape
The park contains 1,980,400 hectacres. of wetlands and other terrain, it is Australia's largest National Park and is approximately half the size of Switzerland!
Flora and fauna
The park's wetlands provide the greatest visual pleasure. The freshwater and estaurine (saltwater) crocodiles sleep on the banks of all rivers and the many billabongs for most of the day but can also be seen floating or swimming in the water. Birdlife abounds from the stately Jabiru to the amusing "Jesus" bird (Jacana) as it steps from lily pad to lily pad. At dusk on the Yellow Water billabong (Ngurrungurrudjba), hundred of herons circle overhead landing and taking of from half-submerged trees. Ospreys sit on termite mounds or soar on high looking for prey beneath the still waters. The billabongs of the Kakadu national park are anything but "stagnant pools of water". Wallabies are very common and are often, unfortunately, seen as roadkill. Feral horses, pigs and water buffalo also roam the park. Frilled Lizards are also present but are only regularly seen during the wet season when the park is nearly inaccessible.
Climate
The park has two seasons, 'wet' and 'dry'. In the wet (October to April) many of the attractions are impossible to get to so that the dry season (May to September) is the peak period for visitors. However, regardless of the time of year, it is always very warm or hot.
Travel to Kakadu National Park, visa requirements
Generally people will travel along the Arnehm Highway from Darwin to the park. The alternatives are to turn off the Stuart Highway and take the Kakadu Highway coming from the south or fly into Jabiru.
There are operators who provide bus tours into the park and, if you are short of time, a one day round trip is possible. This is an expensive (about AU$160) and tiring exercise but it will give you a taste for the magic of the park. If you are using the bus tour operators try and spend at least two days in Kakadu.
Longer trips are offered by "adventure" companies who will take you off the sealed road and into the bush. They provide tented accommodation and 4WD vehicles as well as expertise on the flora and fauna. They range from the basic backpacker tours, which typically pack up to 9 people in the back of a 4WD and cost around $150 per day, see Kakadu 4WD Tours to the more luxury tours which can cost $300 per day or more.
Tours of Kakadu National Park and the Top End Large range of Kakadu and Top End options.
Hiring a car in Darwin and driving to the park is a viable proposition and if you book the car well in advance from outside Australia you can get a good deal. However, "unlimited mileage" is not normally available from the major car hire firms and you can expect to pay around $0.30 AUD per km for km above the first 150 km or so. Try Europcar or Thrifty, who do offer "unlimited mileage" and remember that there are restrictions on time of use (not after sunset). You will have to stay on sealed roads if you do not hire a 4WD.
Fees/Permits
Koolpin Gorge requires a permit and a key.
Get around
Kakadu is massive (the size of a small country) and 4WD vehicles are required to enter most areas.
Kakadu National Park attractions and sightseeing
The attractions include the opportunity to learn about the people, geology, plants and animals which make Kakadu a unique and precious resource, not only for Australians but for all the people in the world.
Aboriginal paintings can be studied in overhangs in the Nourlangie area and there are waterfalls and plunge pools in various parts of the park.
- The Bowali Visitor Centre contains a wealth of information about Kakadu.
- The Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre presents the culture of the local aboriginal people in an accessible way.
- Ubirr
- Nourlangie Rock
- Yellow Waters
- Jim Jim Falls
- Twin Falls
- Koolpin Gorge- available only through 4WD tours with a permit, but well worth it.
City tours
A small, private cruise on the Corroboree or Yellow Water Billabongs is the best way to get a very close, safe and eco-friendly look at the biggest crocodiles in the world. Most tours include an activity like this. Shady Camp, near Corroboree, is home to one of the biggest crocodiles in the park at 6 meters in length.
Shopping, Kakadu National Park souvenirs
Kakadu is an almost completely unpopulated landscape the size of a small country, so there are very few places to actually "buy" anything. There are, however, occasional gas stations and outposts along the way with assorted small gifts as well as aboriginal goods.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Basic food is available at the sporadic rest stops and museams throughout the park.
Kakadu National Park nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
It is vital that you carry plenty of water with you at all times, especially during the dry season. Some of the upper rock pools are safe to drink from, but lower level rivers are not.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Lodging
Limited accommodation is available in the park and should be booked well in advance.
Camping
Camping is widely done throughout the park but great care should be taken when camping near water (always atleast 200 meters from the water), particularly at the popular camping site Sandy Billabong as Saltwater Crocodiles have been known to drag sleeping campers into the water!
Backcountry
Stay safe
- Saltwater Crocodiles(Crocodylus porosus) are some of the most beautiful and most dangerous animals in the world, seeing these prehistoric giants in their natural habitat is a stunning and possibly life changing experience. With that said, swimming anywhere in Kakadu other than in the many higher altitude plunge pools should NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES be done. There are roughly 80,000 saltwater crocodiles living within the Northern Territory, with most of that population being located entirely within Kakadu and it's nearby river systems. These amazing animals can grow up to 30 feet in length (although 16-17 feet is the average size for a mature male, the all time record is roughly 29 feet) and, even at 10 feet, are more than capable of killing large mammals such as a adult Water Buffalo. They have the strongest bite of any living animal on the planet, many times stronger than that of both the Great White Shark and the Siberian Tiger, and it is even said to rival that of Tyrannosaurus Rex! This is all important information to keep both yourself and the crocodiles safe and unharmed. In October of 2002 a 23 year old German tourist was killed by a 14 foot saltwater crocodile while swimming with a tour group at Sandy Billabong in Kakadu, apparrently their tour guide told them it was safe. This completely avoidable tragedy resulted in both the loss of a human life and a crocodile. This species is one of only two crocodile species (with the other being Africa's Nile Crocodile) that will actively track and hunt human beings. They tend to hide in an attempt to ambush their prey before it has even arrived- hence, even if you cannot see it, it is still probably there. Your time in Kakadu National Park can be one of the most amazing and illuminating experiences you will ever have as long as you use basic common sense.
- Freshwater Crocodiles(Crocodylus johnstoni) are also very common in Kakadu and may actually occur at higher elevations that saltwater crocodiles are unable to reach. They are rather shy and have a maximum length of no more than 10 feet, with jaws designed more for feeding on fish and small mammals than on large prey. They are incapable of devouring a human being, but may inflict a deep and painful bite if harrassed, especially while basking. Swimming with this species is generally considered safe as they will do their best to avoid or hide from you.
- Some of the most poisonous snakes in the world inhabit Kakadu, but luckily for visitors they are all very shy and are very rarely seen, let alone confronted. These species include the Taipan, Death Adder, and King Brown. They are seldom active during the day, hunting at night. DO NOT hike off any trails after dark.
- Feral animals have become relatively common in Kakadu, some of which may pose a threat if harrassed. Asian Water Buffalo and Wild Horses can cause serious injury or death if they charge.
- It is mandatory to always have a reliable source of water while in Kakadu, especially during the punishing Dry Season, as it is possible to succumb to the harsh conditions in under 12 hours. This is the number one killer of human beings in Kakadu National Park.
Get out
- Darwin - The nearest large city.
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