Kakadu National Park: the Top End's top attraction

World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park features wetlands, mountain cliffs, monsoon forests and stunning Aboriginal rock art.

Kakadu National Park is a wonderful place to visit and has an amazing history. It is jointly managed by the traditional Aboriginal owners and the department of national parks. This joint management of Kakadu National Park has enabled the Aborigines to maintain their interest and has allowed the state to protect the area and develop parts of it for tourism.

When you visit Kakadu National Park you will be impressed with the natural features, wildlife, plants, and you will be overwhelmed with the natural beauty of waterfalls, water lilies, and other beauties of nature. In fact, you will likely linger in Kakadu National Park longer than you originally thought simply because Kakadu National Park will take your breath away. Check out the following areas of the park and surrounds:

Pine Creek
From the town lookout you can see the dams that remain from past gold mining as well as a couple of old mine shafts. In town, the Mango Winery might be to your taste or there is a mining machinery park, an old steam locomotive and an excellent museum of local history. Be sure to visit the tropical water gardens and picnic area.
Pine Creek Mango Winery
Ph: 8976 1282

South Alligator Area Just 7 km east of the South Alligator River bridge is the popular Mamukala wetlands. Often teeming with birdlife, the area is easily accessed by a 3-km walk which includes an observation platform and bird hide. A mural depicts the changes which take place during the year. From Kakadu Resort the 3.6-km Gu-ngarre walk passes through monsoon forest and woodlands along the edge of Nggardabal billabong.
Kakadu Resort
Ph: 8979 0166

Jabiru Area
Check out the videos and displays at the Bowali Visitor Centre, 5 km west of Jabiru, for a comprehensive overview of the region. The Marrawuddi Gallery has Aboriginal arts and crafts and a cafe for refreshments. A 2-km woodland walking trail leads to the Holiday Inn Gagudju Crocodile Hotel, part of the nearby township of Jabiru, the service town for the nearby Ranger Uranium Mine. The town has a supermarket and accommodation including a caravan park. Tours of Kakadu and neighbouring Arnhem Land can be booked at the travel centre.
Holiday Inn Gagudju Crocodile Hotel Ph: 8979 2800
Kakadu Lodge and Caravan Park Ph: 8979 2422
Bowali Visitor Centre, open daily 8am-5pm
Jabiru Travel Centre Ph: 8979 2548

East Alligator Area
The rock art sites of Ubirr are the main attraction at this far northeastern section of the park. Take the 1-km circular trail which leads past several fine galleries, and take the 250 m climb to the lookout for magnificent views over the Narbab floodplain and rocky park terrain. Around Border Store/Manbiyarra are several walks through monsoon rainforest, riverside vegetation and sandstone country. There is a hostel and campground here.
Ubirr open daily 8:30am-sunset Apr-Nov, 2pm - sunset Dec-Mar.
Kakadu Hostel
Ph: 8979 2232

Nourlangie Area
Nourlangie Rock, 30 km south of Bowali Visitor Centre, is best viewed from the Gunwarddehardde lookout. A 1.5-km circular walk passes an ancient Aboriginal shelter and several rock art sites. Another, less visited art site can be seen on the 3.4-km return Nanguluwur walk. From the Muirella Park camping area, 32 km south of Bowali Visitor Centre, the 3.5- km circular Bubba walk passes through wetland habitats.

Yellow Water Area
A good introduction to Aboriginal life in Kakadu can be gained from a visit to the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, 55 km southwest of the Bowali Visitor Centre. The adjacent art and craft shop has an excellent range of artwork. One of the park highlights is a boat tour on South Alligator floodplain, with its prolific birdlife and dramatic wetland scenery. Crocodile sightings are common. Scenic flights operate from Cooinda airstrip.
Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre,
Open daily 9am-5pm
Yellow Water Cruises Ph: 8979 0111
Gagudju Coorinda Lodge Ph: 8979 0145
Scenic Flights Ph: 8979 2411

Mary River Area
This southern section of the park, home to the Jarwon people, has a number of walks and two camp grounds. On a hot day, head for the Maguk Plunge Pool, 12 km by 4WD access from the Kakadu Highway, 40 km north of the park entry gate. Here a 2km partly raised boardwalk follows a creek bed to a lovely natural rock pool fed by a waterfall.

Jim Jim
Two hours south of the Kakadu Highway, Jim Jim Falls are at their spectacular best after the wet season, when water cascades over the sandstone escarpment. The rock pool, with its white sandy beach, can be accessed by 4WD only from June to November.

Remember, however, that when you are visiting Kakadu National Park be respectful to the park and the environment. As long as you follow the Kakadu National Park rules you will enjoy all the park has to offer and the traditional owners as well as the Department of State will be happy to have you as a guest.