Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park is a vast protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia covering about 19,804 square kilometres and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is both ecologically diverse and culturally significant to Aboriginal peoples.

The park contains extensive wetlands, escarpment country and floodplains with large concentrations of waterbirds, saltwater crocodiles and seasonal waterfalls. Rock-art sites such as Ubirr and Nourlangie feature painted panels and galleries; the Yellow Water wetlands support boat-based wildlife viewing. Jim Jim and Twin Falls are prominent falls visited during the dry season when access is possible.

Aboriginal people have occupied the Kakadu region for tens of thousands of years and created the rock-art sequences found across the park. Modern park boundaries were established in the late 20th century and management is shared between the Australian government and traditional owners; the site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in the early 1980s.

Kakadu sits in Arnhem Land country in north-central Arnhem Land and the Top End, roughly 170 kilometres southeast of Darwin by road. The landscape ranges from tidal flats and floodplains in the north to rugged sandstone escarpments and savanna woodlands inland.

• When to visit: Best viewing of the Arnhem Land escarpment and extensive rock art panels is at sunrise or late afternoon light; accessibility varies seasonally and some roads close in the wet season.
• Wildlife viewing: Boat cruises on the Yellow Water River are the most reliable way to see wetland wildlife including large waterbird concentrations and estuarine crocodiles.

What to See #

• Ubirr: A large sandstone escarpment and rock-art site with numerous painted galleries that record Aboriginal life and ceremonial culture across many styles and periods.
• Nourlangie (Burrungkuy): A sandstone outcrop and rock-art area containing extensive painted panels and shelter sites with interpretive trails near the park's eastern ranges.
• Yellow Water (Rivers): A major wetland and river system in the south of the park noted for boat cruises that showcase waterbirds and saltwater crocodiles.
• Jim Jim and Twin Falls: A set of waterfalls and plunge pools accessed by 4WD or walking tracks; seasonal flows are strongest in the wet season.
• Jabiru: The small service town that supports tourism and park administration with accommodation, a visitor centre and access routes into the park interior.