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Kakadu National Park, situated in the Northern Territory
about 3 hours drive east of Darwin, covers nearly 5 million
geographically varied acres, comprising rainforest, tidal
wetlands, floodplains, mangroves, grasslands and rivers. The
area has been continuously inhabited for over 25,000 years
and is the site of the earliest human settlement in Australia,
but also hosts a significant and diverse range of flora and
fauna. Winding for some 370 miles through the park is the
dramatic Arnhem Land escarpment, a sandstone cliff
line that is cut by deep gorges and crashing waterfalls, and
whose many caves and overhangs have preserved galleries of
Aboriginal art dating back thousands of years.
Kakadu takes its name from the traditional Aboriginal inhabitants
of the area, many of whom still live within the confines of
the park. Over 5,000 sites of Aboriginal art, some as ancient
as 20,000 years old, have been recorded, many of which are
of ceremonial or spiritual significance and therefore not
accessible to tourists - please be sure to respect these restrictions.
Where rock art sites are available for viewing, remember that
the harsh climactic conditions of the area subject them to
erosion as it is - don't add to the problem by touching the
painted rock surfaces.
When to go
Choosing when to visit Kakadu is made difficult by the extremes
of the seasons in Australia's top end. In the Wet Season,
which runs from November to March, the humid conditions encourage
a riotous profusion of plantlife and the monsoon rains swell
the Jim Jim and Twin Falls to spectacularly
thundering torrents. Perversely, this is also when the roads
leading to them are impassable and many areas of the park
are closed. (On the plus side, however, prices for accommodation
can be as much as 50% less than in the dry season).
If you have cash to spare, you can enter the area and view
the falls on a scenic flight - or you can 4WD there during
the winter dry season when they are accessible, but often
dried up and not "falling" at all! Generally, the
best time to visit Kakadu will be either just after the Wet
Season, when the waterfalls are still impressive or at the
end of the dry season when an abundance of wildlife, including
crocodiles, can be seen crowding around the rapidly diminishing
billabongs (waterholes).
Survival tips
Whatever time of year you decide to visit, you should be prepared
for the vagaries of the weather. Temperatures are high all
year, exceeding 42C in the wet season and reaching highs of
33C in the Dry, so bring plenty of protection from the sun
- a hat and sunscreen, plus adequate hydration are all essential.
The tropical conditions also make an insect repellent absolutely
vital! Although most of the 55 inches of annual rainfall hits
in the wet season, downpours can strike at any time and you
need to have enclosed boots - not least as protection against
the resident snakes - and waterproofs. True to the film Crocodile
Dundee which was shot in Kakadu - both the supposedly
harmless freshwater crocodiles and lethal saltwater variety
are common, so be wary of wading through rivers or swimming
without prior advice. The best way to see them, if you are
so inclined, is by boat on one of the many river cruises available.
There are a number of marked trails within the park, providing
treks ranging in difficulty and length, but for true wilderness
adventure, there's any number of walking routes to be explored.
Never attempt to walk one of these alone and always let someone
- preferably a ranger - know what you are going to be attempting
and when you expect to be back. Bear in mind also that permits
are required if you are planning on camping other than on
designated campsites. |
