Kakadu National Park
Listed as a World Heritage area since 1984 because of its environmental and cultural significance, the park occupies 19,757km². It extends about 200km from north to south and 100km from east to west, making it the largest National Park in Australia.
Kakadu National Park is located:
- 257km east of Darwin
- 296km north of Katherine.
Population
- Jabiru - 1731
- South Alligator - 1600
Economy
The key industries in the region are tourism and mining.
Climate
Lying between the latitudes 12 degrees south to 14 degrees south, the climate here is monsoonal with two distinct seasons:
Dry/Winter (April to September):
- Little rainfall with mild to warm conditions
- Average temperatures are maximum 32°C, minimum 20°C
- Humidity levels are low, averaging between 55% - 65%
Wet/Summer (January to March):
- Heaviest rain falling from January onwards, average 320mm in January.
- Average temperatures are maximum 34°C, minimum 25°C
- Humidity levels average between 80% - 90%
October to December is the build-up to the wet season. Rising temperatures and humidity levels are accompanied by spectacular storms.
Current weather forecast for Jabiru.
Environment
Kakadu National Park protects the entire catchment of a large tropical river, the South Alligator, and examples of most of Australia's Top End habitats. It is home to a rich diversity of plants, and animals in abundance. Kakadu's habitats include:
- Savannah woodlands - nearly 80% of the park
- Monsoon forests - moist isolated pockets
- Southern hills and ridges - highly eroded landscape with unique flora and fauna
- Stone country - the imposing escarpment of the Arnhem Land Plateau
- Floodplains and billabongs - seasonal flooding influences animal movement
- Tidal flats and coast - mangrove forests and significant bird sites
Humans have been a part of these environments for many thousands of years. Traditional Aboriginal burning practices are being used to shape Kakadu's fire management program. Regular patchwork burning reduces the risk of destructive wildfires at the end of the dry season. Native flora and fauna can then utilise the adaptations developed over thousands of years to thrive in their natural environment.
Geology
Kakadu's geological history began over 2,000 million years ago with the deposition of sand sediments and mud. The deposits were hardened by heat and pressure into quartzite, sandstone and conglomerates. Granite intrusions pushed their way to the earth's surface some 1,400 million years ago. These rocks form the 'stone country' of the Arnhem Land escarpment.
Accumulations of alluvial soil and sand were deposited in the last 60 million years, and a laterite cap formed over these layers, manipulating the relentless forces of erosion so evident in the landscape as spectacular waterfalls, billabongs and gorges.
Uranium mined in this region is 1,800 million years old in layers near the base of the Arnhem Land plateau.
The changing sea levels during the last 100,000 years has moved the coastline over 300km, with consequent changes to the environments of many plants, animals and indigenous people.
Fauna
The birds of Kakadu are a major attraction for many visitors. Hundreds of thousands of magpie geese nest here, along with rare species such as the lavender-flanked wren, rainbow pitta, golden-shouldered parrot and yellow chat. The elegant jabiru, Australia's only stork, is common, along with the comb-crested jacana and a range of birds of prey.
The most notable mammals in Kakadu are the agile wallabies, while the estuarine crocodile tops the reptile list. Since crocodiles became protected in the Northern Territory in 1972 their numbers have returned to natural levels. Over 10,000 species of insects have been recorded in Kakadu including several exquisite dragonflies and damselflies, and the brightly coloured Leichhardt's grasshopper. In one small tributary of Deaf Adder Creek there are over 40 species of fish.
Flora
Kakadu provides a diversity of habitats which are home to over 1200 different species of plants:
- Savannah woodlands: Covering much of the National Park. Eucalypts are the dominant species of tree in the woodlands. Look out for the salmon gum, with it's beautiful pink bark. Other eucalypts commonly found include the Darwin woollybutt and the Darwin stringybark.
- Stone country: Home to the rare sandstone pandanus. This pandanus is only found in Kakadu and Arnhemland.
- Seasonal floodplains: Home to paperbarks, pandanus, and many species of water-lily.
- Tidal flats and coast: Where over two-thirds of all of the Northern Territory's mangrove species are found.
Indigenous Culture
For at least 50,000 years, Aboriginal people have continuously lived in the area now defined by the National Park, leaving behind shelters, stone tools, grindstones and ochre for ceremonial painting.
The name 'Kakadu' comes from 'Gagudju' - the main Aboriginal language used in the Northern part of the area at the start of the 20th century. Today, three major languages are spoken within the park:
- Gundjeihmi/Mayali
- Kunwinjku
- Jawoyn
The parts of the Aboriginal legacy most visitors come to see are the famous Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock, where Dreamtime legend and day-to-day living are presented side-by-side.
The rock art galleries reveal sprayed hand stencils, hunters carrying barbed spears, and creation beings Namarrgon the Lightning Man and Ngalyod the Rainbow Serpent.
Fish, birds and animals are presented x-ray style, revealing internal organs and bone structures.
Things To See And Do
- Bowali Visitors Centre, 5km from Jabiru. The centre contains a wealth of information regarding Kakadu. Information staff, displays and a library are all available to help you plan your visit.
- Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock are two major public sites featuring rock art and living shelters and there are as many as 5,000 other recorded sites scattered throughout the Park.
- South Alligator Area Mamukala Wetlands: On the Arnhem Highway 29km from Jabiru, Mamukala is beautiful all year round but is at its most dramatic in the late Dry Season, when thousands of Magpie Geese congregate to feed.
- East Alligator River: An attractive stretch of tidal river that forms the boundary between Kakadu and Arnhem Land. Commercial boat cruises are available, and boat ramps are located both upstream and downstream of Cahills Crossing. Photo of East Alligator River
- Yellow Water Billabong: 6.5km off the Kakadu Highway near Cooinda. A pristine environment, which supports a wonderful variety of plants, birds and animals. Boardwalks and cruises provide great views of the abounding wildlife.
- Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre: 4.5km off Kakadu Highway near Cooinda, this centre displays the creation era as interpreted by the Bininj people.
- Mary River Area Gunlom (Waterfall): 37km from Southern Entry Ranger Station, Gunlom has the magical combination of waterfall and serene plunge pool, with shady gums cooling the picnic areas.
- Maguk (Waterfall): 12km off Kakadu Highway, a 2km return walk through beautiful monsoon forest leads you to a small waterfall and clear plunge pool that is a great place to cool off after your walk.
- Jim Jim Falls Area (Dry Season 4WD Only) Only 60km off the Kakadu Highway, the trip in to the Falls takes 2 hours. After the rains, when water flows from the soaring sandstone escarpment, it's an awe-inspiring sight. During the Dry Season, the rock pool with its white sandy beach is permanent.
- Twin Falls: 70km off the Kakadu Highway, the bumpy ride to Twin Falls is rewarded with crystalline sandy beaches, dense surrounding forest and two waterfalls that plunge into the cool, crystal clear pool.
- Koolpin Gorge: 46km from Kakadu Highway. Open for 4WD access only from May to November, permit required. A beautiful gorge, access is restricted to keep it in its pristine state. A permit and entry key must be organised in advance.
Services
The following services are available at Jabiru:
- Service station
- Pharmacy
- Post Office, Westpac Bank
- Supermarket, clothing store, camping and sporting goods store, newsagency and gift shop
- 3 hotels, 1 caravan park, bushcamping in the National Park.
Access
- Air: Darwin Airport is the nearest airport for domestic and international flights. There are also small airports at Tennant Creek and Katherine, and airstrips within the park at Jabiru and Cooinda.
- Kakadu Air Services - Provides daily services from Katherine and Darwin, and also conducts scenic flights within the park. Phone: 08 8979 2411. Fax: 08 8979 2303.
- Bus: Greyhound Pioneer/McCaffertys provides daily services to the Park.
- Self Drive: The Arnhem Highway is sealed from Darwin to Jabiru. The Kakadu Highway is sealed from Katherine to Jabiru. Flooding is common in the wet season, and may temporarily close the two major highways. All other roads in the Park are unsealed and may be closed at certain times of the year. Check road conditions prior to travel. Call 1800 246 199 or check online.
- Tour: The following accredited Savannah Guides Operators offer tours to Kakadu:
Further Information
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