Kakadu National Park - Parco nazionale Kakadu

Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park
Jim Jim Falls
Area typeNational Park
StateAustralia
Federated stateNorthern Territory
Surface 19,804 km²
Foundation year1979
Institutional website

Kakadu National Park is located in the Northern Territory, and more precisely in the Top End ofAustralia, about 170 km east of Darwin.

To know

In Australia it is said that there are two things you need to do before you die, the first is to visit Kakadu in the dry season, the second is to visit it in the rainy season. Kakadu National Park is certainly the most famous ofAustralia and most likely one of the most famous in the world. The ecosystem is unique to this area, the nature and fauna are incomparable, just think that the 75 types of reptiles present here are superior in number to those found throughout Europe. Human presence is very low, only a small town, Jabiru, in this park which covers about 20 thousand square km. Not to forget the notable presence of rock art (paintings on rock) that can be seen in this area, almost all dating back thousands of years.

The name Kakadu comes from Gagudju, a language spoken north of this area in the early twentieth century. Although this language is no longer spoken regularly, the descendants still continue to live in this area.

Finally, it should be remembered that the Kakadu National Park was included in the World Heritage Sites in Australia in 1984, the first areas, and in 1991, the new areas of the southern area.

Geographical notes

Kakadu National Park is immense. Stuart Hway somehow delineates the western boundary. The sea to the north (Gulf of Van Diemen) constitutes a natural border while Arnhem Land, the land with a uniquely aboriginal presence, traces the borders both to the east and to the south. Practically a triangle whose center is located about 170 km from Darwin.

The interior of the park is marked by two paved roads, Arnhem Hwy (number 36) and Kakadu Hwy (number 21). These meet in the north in Jabiru, the only urban center of the entire park.

First swimming pool in Barramundi Gorge

Within the vast Kakadu landscapes, there are six major land forms. Each landform and the habitats it contains have an array of plants and animals. As you move to Kakadu, take the time to explore and appreciate the diversity of the areas you visit - each of them is truly unique.

  1. The Savanna Woodlands it constitutes almost 80% of the Kakadu.
  2. The monsoon forests they are found in small isolated areas.
  3. The Southern hills found in southern Kakadu are the result of millions of years of erosion.
  4. There sandstone escarpment dominates the Arnhem Land Plateau.
  5. The coastal and estuary areas they occupy almost 500 km² of Kakadu.
  6. The floodplains undergo drastic seasonal changes. After the wet season rains, a shallow freshwater sea stretches for hundreds of square kilometers over the plain. When the floodplains begin to dry out, waterfowl and crocodiles seek refuge in the remaining wetlands such as yellow water.

Flora and fauna

The park's animal life and plants are typical of the Top End. Dry seasons are followed by rainy seasons, a total of seven seasons recognized by Aborigines in the course of a year. The four rivers found in Kakadu National Park form a single lake during the rainy season and the animal presence changes accordingly. The forest all around is mainly covered by small trees typical of the North ofAustralia, of a very intense brown color, almost red. Obviously the vegetation changes completely during the rainy season when the green is dominant. A total of 2000 types of plants that, depending on the month, alternate on the territory.

Some numbers for the animal population to highlight how rich this territory is: 75 different types of reptiles, 26 types of bats, 10 thousand species of insects, 25 species of frogs and over 55 types of freshwater fish and here we stop in list. The kangaroos come forward at sunset, but perhaps the most striking animal is the horse, free in the forest. It is not unusual to see whole flocks of them, an unusual sight when compared with what we are used to in Italy.

Estuary near Twin Falls

If you drive the car inside the park, pay close attention to these animals of considerable size, never run and never use the car at sunset or sunrise and above all do not drive in the dark.

When to go

The seasons are mainly two, the dry and the rainy one. There is no better as the show is completely different but just as intense. You might talk about the same place with a friend but don't recognize it if you have been in opposite seasons.

The dry season, from mid-May to October, will be easier as the roads will be almost all open and there will be no torrential rain but you will miss the full spectacle of some waterfalls, which however you will only be able to see by helicopter during the rains, because it will be impossible to walk along the secondary roads. The incredible starry is offset by the spectacle of lightning and thunder. There may be many comparisons, but the end result is that this park has to be at the top of the must-see list Australia, no matter what month you visit it.

The temperatures are the same all year round, with a maximum of about 33 degrees and a minimum of 15-20 degrees Celsius. Obviously the humidity rises from December to March.

The six seasons of Kakadu

The six seasons

Over the course of the year, the park's landscape undergoes spectacular changes. Bininj / Mungguy I recognize six different seasons. Knowledge of nature is fundamental to the culture of Kakadu and its inhabitants. Bininj / Mungguy have lived in contact with the changes of the seasons (and therefore of the landscapes) for tens of thousands of years, adapting and using the land to cultivate and find shelter.

Flowers of Darwin woollybutt (Eucalyptus miniata)
  • Yegge - Cool weather, from May to June. The ponds and Le wet lands they are filled with water lilies. Dry winds and the flowering of the Darwin woollybutt (Eucalyptus miniata) suggest to the Bininj / Mungguy to burn part of the forests to make them more fertile.
  • Wurrgeng - Beginning of the dry season, from June to August many streams stop flowing and the floodplains dry up. The magpie geese (Semipalmata Anseranas), fat and heavy, after weeks of abundant food they crowd the Billabong, a typical Australian oxbow, which originates from an abandoned river meander and results in a stagnant pool of water connected to a river.
  • Gurrung - Dry and hot season, from August to October, hunting season for theacrocord of Arafura and the long-necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis). White-breasted swallows (Artamus leucorynchus) arrive like storm clouds, signaling the return of Gunumeleng.
  • Gunumeleng - Pre-monsoon season, from October to December. The streams start to flow again, the water birds spread over the entire water surface which slowly increases and new life spreads throughout the park. The barramundi move from burrows deep down to the estuaries to reproduce.
  • Gudjewg - Monsoon season, from December to March. The heat and humidity generate an explosion of life, both animal and plant. Wild grass grows very tall giving a silvery green hue to the woods.
  • Banggerreng - Harvest month, April. Clear days prevail, the water of the streams clears up. Many plants produce their fruit and animals take care of their young.

Background

Kakadu was proclaimed a national park in several steps between 1979 and 1991. The Aboriginal presence in the park dates back a long time. The study of rock art (paintings on stone) in the park made us think of a possible presence up to 30-40 thousand years ago. Clearly this is just a guess as it is difficult to certify these numbers. These aboriginal clans still live in the park today, mainly in the vicinity of Jabiru.

The explorations of the white man date back to the early 1800s with the first explorers, such as Ludwig Leichhardt and John McKinlay. Some Europeans in the early 1900s were attracted to this area by the first gold mines and buffalo hunting, mainly for the skins, but the idea of ​​wealth died out with the exhaustion of mines and the decrease in demand for furs. Only in 1976 the territory was returned to the aborigines who rented it to the Australian government which still manages it today as a National Park.

The main danger for this park derives from the discovery of uranium in some areas which could endanger the flora and fauna of the entire park. The hope is that both the government and the aboriginal populations will not suffer the capitalist push in order to exploit the territory for the extraction of uranium.

How to get

Twin Falls at the end of the dry season, with little water

The nearest inhabited center is Darwin about 170 km on an asphalted road, the Arnhem Hwy. Gas stations are rare, so don't hesitate to stop at gas stations.

By plane

The airport is located in Jabiru and is served solely by Northern Air Charter that connects Darwin and organizes tourist flights in the park.

By car

Be prepared for long distances, water and always check the fuel and water levels. It is not unusual to encounter even a single car in a 100 km journey. The petrol stations are located at a distance of 50-100 km, but it is better to stop in excess rather than short, avoiding running out of petrol.

The Stuart Hwy and thus the Arnhem Hwy connects Darwin at the park. Only 2 years ago the speed limits were introduced today at 110 km. It is easy to pass this limit, given the absence of traffic and the road always straight, but it is not recommended as the police frequently install speed control lasers.

If you have decided to rent a car a Darwin, make sure it has unlimited mileage. Besides the usual companies like Avis, Budget and Europcar, it is also recommended to check with AutoEurope, one of the rare operators that rent with unlimited mileage. Beware that they tend to invoice km over 100 / day, do write unlimited mileage on the contract, so as not to have any nasty surprises later (check your credit card anyway and get the phone number, in case you can at least call back).

Furthermore, the car insurance does not normally cover if you travel off-road, even dirt, with a 2WD and if you travel at night, however not recommended due to the massive presence of animals on the roads. Before leaving, therefore, count the hours (at least 5 hours before sunset). Also remember that the Northern Territory it has a different time from other states.

With a 2WD you will be able to cover most of the territory even if a 4WD will allow you to reach the spectacle of Jim Jim and Twin Falls, two wonderful waterfalls over 200 meters high.

For the latest news on the practicability of the roads, check the park site.

By bus

Greyhound Australia is the only official bus company that connects Darwin to Cooinda via Jabiru. Check the timetables on the website.

Permits / Rates

Park entrance

Admission costs $ 40 for 7 days (adults), $ 30 (seniors), $ 20 (children).

Learn more about the official guide of the park.

How to get around

By car

Kakadu National Park, in Northern Territory

The Kakadu is huge (the size of a small town) and four-wheel drive vehicles are required to enter some areas. However, many spectacular and popular sites are easily accessible via paved roads.

Download a map of the Kakadu National Park. Here you will have a fairly detailed view of the area. Gas stations, campsites, and toilets are highlighted. Very important, distances and roads that can only be traveled in 4WD are also included.

Street detail

With guided tours

Tours inside the Park are available with the most popular destinations being a day trip to Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls. The pick-up points for such tours are typically from Jaibiru and Cooinda. Some tour operators are as follows:


They are also available scenic flights in small planes or by helicopter. The airstrips are located in Jaibiru and Cooinda.

What see

Second pool in Barramundi Gorge
  • Corroboree Billabong (Approximately 150km east of Darwin on Arnhem Hwy). This billabong (lake created partly by rainy season water and partly by the nearby Mary River) is a mine for those who love to fish and photograph animals. Crocodiles, if the day is not hot, are present in every corner of the billabong, and the guide will tell you the most unbelievable stories, as long as you want to believe them because sometimes the exaggeration makes even the most gullible falter. This billabong will probably be the first stop if you decide to follow an organized trip, otherwise by car it is a simple detour of about 15 km from the main road, easily accessible even with a 2WD. Technically this billabong isn't in Kakadu National Park yet but put it on your to-do list anyway. The tour is recommended early in the morning. Boats await tourists at the end of the detour. 
Approach to Jim Jim Falls
  • Old Jim Jim Road. This road is an adventure in itself. Accessible only with 4 WD, it cuts through the park from Arnhem Hwy to arrive at Kakadu Hwy at the height of the Barramindu Gorge. What will you meet on the journey? many wild animals. Seeing horses in herds riding freely on the prairie is not a common sight. If you are lucky you can also see kangaroos and large lizards, among the most common animals, during the day. If you have rented a 4WD, this route is mandatory. 
  • Barramundi Gorge. The first gorge (canyon) offers a huge pool in which to cool off after the long journey. Don't be afraid to swim, the crocodiles haven't arrived here (look at the signs anyway). The upper gorge is much smaller, but perhaps for this reason more interesting, closing in between immense rocks. It is easy to spend hours here, sheltered from the heat and with a quiet broken only by the few tourists who arrive every now and then. Recommended stop to cool off. 
  • Yellow Water. Ecb copyright.svg$ 40/2 hours. Dedicated to fans of wild animals and birds. This river (South Alligator) is spectacular and inhabited by a good number of crocodiles. You can walk along the side, always paying close attention to crocodiles, but much better is the small boat trip along the river with Yellow Water Cruise. 
  • Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Center. About 10km from Yellow Water, the center features an exhibition of the area's aboriginal work, all in a turtle-shaped construction (warradjan). A stop to clear your mind about the locals. 
Crocodile warning signs
  • Jim Jim Falls. Reachable from Kakadu Hway on a dirt road (for 4WD only) for about 60km, these falls are, together with the Twin Falls, the most spectacular in the entire park. A visit to Kakadu without Jim Jim Falls or Twin Falls is like a visit in the middle. They cannot be overlooked. In the rainy season they can only be seen by plane as the road is closed and there are no other access routes. Don't be attracted by the river estuary as there are numerous crocodiles. Normally you can swim instead under the waterfall, 200 meters high, but check the signs anyway and, if forbidden, do not doubt it, postpone the bath. 
  • Twin Falls. Reachable by the same road that leads to Jim Jim Falls, these falls are another must-see site on the trip to Kakadu. The road normally opens in the first week of June, but depending on the season this may be delayed or anticipated. At the moment a bridge is under construction to cross the river that leads from the campsite at the start of the estuary towards the falls and therefore you will be obliged to take a 4WD van that will transport you for a good part of the way, over the river. The walk is quite hard, not so much for the slope but for the type of route, between large stones, so bring suitable hiking boots. Absolutely do not take a bath and do not get too close to the river, in order not to risk theapproach of a crocodile. You can also hike to the top of the falls. Like Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls is only open in the dry season. For both waterfalls it is recommended to sleep at the campsite which is located right at the crossroads. If you don't have a 4WD and still want to see both falls, check with Katch Kakadu Tours in Jabiru (08-8979 3315), Lord's Kakadu or Gagudju Dreaming in Cooinda. 
  • Nourlangie Rock. The site is quite large and you will eventually get a feel for the rock art, stone paintings dating back thousands of years, done by the local aborigines. Follow the suggested route, signs are available to help you understand. This is also an unmissable stage, even if some are not impressed by the art itself. Impossible to judge without seeing. 
  • Bowali Visitor Center. To learn more about the flora and fauna of the park do not miss this Visitor Center in addition to the continuous projection of a film you can admire photographs of the park both in the rainy and in the dry season. Very interesting. 
  • Jabiru. The only inhabited center in the area. A must visit if you sleep here otherwise it can be overlooked. The village was only built in 1982 to house the workers of the nearby Uranium mine. By now the 2000 inhabitants of the country live by working more in hospitality for the tourists and travelers of the park. 
  • Ubirr Rock Art. Located on the border with Arhnem Land, about 40 km west of Jabiru, this site is perhaps the most beautiful to visit if interested in Rock Art. The walk of about one kilometer takes you to the vicinity of the stones and the explanations are truly comprehensive. 
  • Gunlom Waterfall. Another spectacular waterfall in the park. To be included in the trip if you are on the way to / from Katherine. 

Itineraries

This itinerary can only be traveled in 4WD, starting from Darwin

  • Day 1: departure from Darwin and stage a Corroboree Billabong for river tours. It then runs through the Old Jim Jim Road to Kakadu Hwy, then go to Barramundi Gorge for a nice swim. The sun begins to go down and you should camp as soon as you pass these gorges (free campsites, with toilets).
  • Day 2: visit Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Center to get an idea of ​​the park's Aboriginal culture. Take the road to the Twin falls and then the Jim Jim Falls. Between bathing, walks and photographs, the day is now gone. Stay at the great private campsite near the falls.
  • Day 3: the time has come for art, stop at Nourlangie Rock where you will spend the morning. So go to the Bowali Visitor Center and if you still have time a Jabiru(or you can leave it out). Return to Darwin, still with the light.


What to do

Rock Art in Nourlangie Rock
Crocodile in Corroboree Billabong

All activities are related to the park and to visiting the sites. Here are some operators who can help.


Shopping

There are no particular shops for buying souvenirs.

Where to eat

Alcohol is not sold inside the park, so if you want a beer for the evening, stock up in Darwin. There are no interested pubs or bars to dwell on. Jabiru has a pub.

Where stay

Campsites cost $ 5 / night. The experience is unique, the sky so starry you will remember it for a long time. Other accommodations available:


Safety

No problem with theft or crime, of course. Just beware of possible snakes, even if they are rare. If you are camping, remember to always close the tent, so as not to find surprises at night.

How to keep in touch

Telephony

The signal for the mobile phone is not great. Telstra remains the only operator that manages to cover most of the territory even on unpaved roads. If you plan to venture into and into Arnhem Land it is suggested to rent a satellite phone.


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