Kakadu is the larger of two World Heritage-listed national parks in Australia’s Northern Territory. Accessible to all, the rich cultural and natural beauty of the park is just 3 hours drive from Darwin along sealed roads. Though plan to stay longer than a few days or you will just scrape the surface of this 20,000 square km park.
A number of Aboriginal clans with different languages and different traditions make up the Traditional Owners of the Kakadu region. Today the park is managed jointly by the Traditional Owners and the Director of National Parks to ensure there is balance between tourism and cultural requirements. One of the best places to get an introduction to the local Aboriginal culture is at the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, where displays and exhibits explain traditional ways including hunting, cooking, ceremonies and laws. Kakadu is also a place rich in aboriginal rock art, in fact it is has the world’s greatest known area with over 5000 sites. Ubirr, located in the East Alligator Region, not only provides stunning views over the park and Arnhem Land, it is also home to a spectacular display of rock art. Used to pass stories and traditions on to younger generations as well as a mark of respect, the rock art includes paintings of animals, food and spiritual beings.
Kakadu is one of the most ruggedly beautiful places in Australia and home to abundant wildlife. With billabongs, tidal flats, floodplains, Savannah woodlands and amazing sandstone escarpments, Kakadu has a truly diverse landscape to explore. With extensive walking trails, wetlands cruises, 4wd tracks, scenic drives and flights, there are endless ways to explore Kakadu. Some of the highlights include a sunset or sunrise trip on the Yellow Water cruise where you can experience the beauty of the wetlands and its inhabitants – particularly the salt water crocodiles and the huge array of birdlife; Jim Jim and Twin Falls, which is reachable by 4wd in the Dry season or from the air in the Wet; and a visit to Gunlorn Waterfall Creek, with its beautiful plunge pool and waterfall, this is also where parts of Crocodile Dundee were filmed.
Each of the seven areas that Kakadu is broken up in to has its own accommodations options as well as special activities or sites. Jabiru is the main township in Kakadu and offers a full range of services and places to stay from bush camping to hotel accommodation. Yellow Water offers motel-style accommodation and all seven areas offer camping or van sites. The most popular time of year to visit the park is in the early part of the Dry season from May to August, when the weather is good but the waterfalls are still flowing well from the heavy Wet season falls. Whilst some parts of the park are inaccessible by road and the temperatures get extremely hot in the Wet season, it can still be a spectacular time to visit.
To read more on Kakadu, follow this link: Kakadu
Some other useful links are:
No comments:
Post a Comment