Kakadu National Park, Jabiru, Australia, is one of the most impressive wonders of the country. Above all, Kakadu holds dreamlike landscapes, lush vegetation full of life, a variety of views, and a humid climate. Waterfalls, rivers, extensive plains, stony hills, ravines and diverse types of plants make up this impressive National Park. Kakadu surely took all the best sides of the region.
Things to Do
If you are thinking about visiting Australia, this has to be a mandatory destination. Stopping here and admiring everything that the Kakadu National Park has to show is a must. And you can enjoy it all on a four-wheel-drive safari!
Australia’s wildlife
Visiting the Kakadu National Park means being surrounded by more than 1600 species of plants, over 300 species of birds, and their famous crocodiles. The park is full of impressive and scary animals, taking you back to the era after the extinction of the dinosaurs. It may be easy to arrive but once there, the park provokes feelings of detachment from the rest of the world. It allows you to disconnect from everything and enjoy natural wonders.
One of the most important attractions of Kakadu National Park is its large amount of Aboriginal art and expression.
Nourlangie Rock
Kakadu is truly magnificent, and from the main road of the park, you can access many places. A highlight is Nourlangie Rock, which is one of the homes of aboriginal rock art. The 20,000-year-old art gallery stands in a series of caves, and shallow rock shelters surround this massive, flat-surfaced sandstone outcrop. The best way to get to know this spectacular rock is to walk the path in reverse, starting from Gunwardewarde Lookout.
Nourlangie Rock has a great variety of well-preserved works of art. The pieces here range from the beginning of the history of humanity to the most modern repainting in the 1970s. By listening to the stories of those who know it, you can feel as if you live the Aboriginal dream. The Australian natives make an incredible effort to recreate the history of their land and to describe the moment of creation.
The Anbangbang Gallery
The great protagonist of all these stories is the Anbangbang Gallery, based on a rock that stands out. Here, you can understand the Namondjok art that represents a skeletal figure known as Namarrgon, the Lightning Man.
Although the easy access places are incredible, finding the true gems of Kakadu requires a little more effort. Get into a four-wheel drive with an experienced guide to board the many off-road routes.
Maguk
Maguk, or the Barramundi ravine, is located on a long, narrow sandy track where the emus are located. Kangaroos and kookaburra birds are just some of the exotic animals you can see on the tour. With the humidity, the hot conditions, and the long walk to reach Maguk, the delicious pools are tempting even if there are crocodiles in them.
The Graveside Gorge
This is another wonder, which is rarely mentioned in maps or travel guides. The Graveside Gorge is a paradisiacal swimming well, fed by two-level waterfalls. Surrounded by red rock walls, it is accessed through a beautiful path bordered by termite mounds called “cathedral”, and resistant cycads. These plants, which have survived two periods of mass extinction, can live for 2500 years.
The Yellow Waters
Once you had your Kakadu pass and have lived the whole experience, there is only one perfect way to end your adventure. Board a boat for a trip to the Yellow Waters, a virgin wetland full of History of the South Alligator River. In grassy areas, the sea eagles, jabirus and geese coexist and create a dream place for birdwatchers. The crocodiles infesting the waters will make your heart throb quickly, as they slide silently towards you under the murky water. And no matter how big your boat is, you will feel like these towering predators will jump at any moment.
Overall, the Kakadu National Park and all its attractions will leave you with eyes wide open. You will definitely leave feeling more in touch with your wildest side. The Kakadu National Park offers an experience you will never forget, and I totally invite you to live it.
How to get there
Kakadu is located in the South Alligator River system, to the far North of Australia, a couple of hundred kilometers southeast of the state capital Darwin. However, if you come from Sydney or Melbourne, you have to fly to Darwin. Most airlines offer international flight packages including inland flights.
You can get to Kakadu from the Northern Entrance, via the Arnhem Highway (150 km south-east of Darwin). On the other hand, the Southern Entrance is reached from the Stuart Highway.
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