Darwin | Alice Springs | Uluru | Litchfield
Kakadu a World Heritage Site for its wetlands and aboriginal rock art, home to a rich flora and fauna, from 275 species of birds such as the white fan tailed cockatoo, to animals such as the bush wallaby, green tree snakes to thousands of species of insect.
Flat savannah, drained by huge river systems such as
the South Alligator River, with its tidal mud flats.
Sandstone escarpments, deep gorges and plunging
waterfalls such as Jim Jim and Twin Falls.
In the wet season the Park deluged by monsoon rains-
(many say the best time to visit)
roads often unpassable and many sections of the park closed,
and waterfalls viewable by scenic flight from the air-
when most of the tourist brochure photographs were taken.
In the dry the water covering hundreds of thousands of acres
of flood plain recede to leave billabongs and rivers-
some waterfalls only a trickle compared to a few months before.
The area has been inhabited for at least 40,000 years
by the aboriginal people, countless rock art sites
with cave paintings are dotted across the park -only
a few of which are open to visitors.
Much of the land is deeply significant to them,
the traditional owners, and your respect for their beliefs,
and particularly for their sacred sites is requested.
The 86,000 km sq. park is some 250km south east of Darwin along sealed roads.
Access to Jim Jim is by 4wd vehicle along unsealed roads during
the dry season, and you are advised to check very carefully
the terms of any hire agreement before leaving your pick up in Darwin.
To reach Twin Falls it is a half mile swim using a noodle
or air bed up the gorge after a 10km 4wd trip from Jim Jim Falls
well worth it if only to sit on the beach by the plunge pool.
Other natural hazards include saltwater crocodiles.
Though swimming is a popular activity, particularly
in the pools at the top of the escarpments,
plunge pools can be dangerous,
not just for their steep sides and slippery bed.
We were there in the build up (November) and apart from a thunderstorm one night didn't see any rain. In the mornings the skies would be clear, by mid afternoon clouds would build up. From Xmas until mid March the Wet is in full force,
Nourlangie rock art site with spectacular views from Gunwarrde lookout.
Equally impressive Ubirr Rock art sites with its paintings in the X ray style.
Gunlom Lookout walk, more a scramble-climb the escarpment for views
of the South Alligator River and surrounding plateau-
enjoy the cool waters of Waterfall Creek.
Mamukala Wetlands Centre and birdwatching hides,
maybe see an Australian Pratincoles- one of a wide
range of bird species near Nourlangie Park Entrance.
Jabiru township. Yurmikmik (Motor Car Falls) pleasant bushwalk
for suitably equipped and guided. Ubirr.
Yellow Waters Billabong, motel and very
popular boat trips- your best chance seeing
wildlife is early morning before the heat of the mid day sun.
Fogg Dam Wetlands, 65km from Darwin and a pleasant
stop on the way to Kakadu, a failed experiment
to grow rice, now an important Wetland centre.
Stunning when the water lilies coming into bloom.
Adelaide River Cruise to see the local crocodiles and birdlife close up, maybe if you are lucky white bellied sea eagle. Kites taking dead bait from the boat.
Staying in Darwin, why not take a one day Outback Tour to nearby Litchfield National Park?
Beautiful Australia from the Rock to the Reef - a tourist guide with nice pictures.