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Kakadu National Park
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Where is Kakadu National Park Kakadu National Park
an Australian Natural Icon covers almost 20,000 square kms and
is 257 kms East of Darwin the capital city of the Northern Territory,
Australia. Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage listed area
that has been listed for it's cultural and natural heritage
and Kakadu is the largest terrestrial national park in Australia.
Life in the park does depends on the water, also in respect
to the tropical monsoon climate that produces the downpours
of the tropical humidity of the "wet" season, and the milder
weather of the "dry" season.
Kakadu National Park is the gateway to Arnhemland. The sealed
roads from Darwin to Kakadu is via the Arnhem Highway and
from Katherine to Kakadu National Park via the Kakadu Highway.
The Bowali Visitor Centre near Jabiru in Kakadu National Park
is located 257 km from Darwin in Northern Territory Australia
via the Arnhem Highway entrance. If travelling by road, you
should allow 3 hours travelling time from Darwin.
Kakadu is the second largest national park in the world and
and is home to approximate number of species: Mammals: 62,
Reptiles: 123+, Birds: 280, Freshwater Fish: 51, Insects:
10,000, Frogs: 25, Plants: 1,275. (many are rare and occur
only in Kakadu)
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The Aboriginal traditional owners to Kakadu
National Park
The area boasts the longest continuous surviving human culture
in the world. Aborigines have been living in this region for
at least 40,000 years. The
descendants of these First Australians still live in Kakadu
today.
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Roads to Kakadu National Park
Road conditions in the Park vary according to the tweo seasons
being the Green 'Wet' season or Dry season. Widespread Green
'Wet' season flooding occured historically and frequently
during November to April there nowdays the seasons have changed
signifciantly. Therefore you should check the road conditions
well before your departure . Up-to-the-moment road reports
can be obtained from the Bowali Visitor Centre (Telephone
+61 (0) 8 8938 1120). The Arnhem and Kakadu Highways are sealed
and generally remain open throughout the year. Green 'Wet'
season flooding associated with any prolonged heavy rains
may have various locational temporary closures.
We we here also provides helpful tips on Kakadu National
Park and what to see and activities available, visitor safety,
park camping and accommodation facilities, emergency contacts
and useful Kakadu Parks information.
If time allows, we advise you stay in the park for a few
days so that the major sites can be explored at your leisure.
Kakadu National Park can be visited selfdrive a 2 wheel drive
vehicle though access is limited to the Kakadu Highway and
the Arnhem Highway. Ubirr, Yellow Waters, Jabiru and Nourlangie
Rock being main the extent of where you can visit a 2 wheel
drive vehicle. Currently about 200,000+ folks visit Kakadu
National Park each year. Visitor numbers are higher during
the dry season months of June to September (approx. 33,000
people visit each July) and lower during the wet season months
(approx. 7,000 people visit each January).
Select
one of the following regions to access maps and information
on the area:
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About the World Heritage Kakadu National Park
This World Heritage listed National Park is quiet spectacular,
being extremely diverse and encompassing a vast amount of
land with a huge variety of scenery, wildlife, plant life
and Aboriginal Artsites to see and experience. Depending on
the season you may see crocodiles, goannas, wallabies, dingos
and many species species of birds that inhabit or migrate
to Kakadu National Park each year.
The flora is sensational and will
often change dramatically from the tropical summer season
December to April then to the dry season in May to November.
Along the Arnhem Highway to Kakadu National Park you can
pull over at the Bark Hutt Inn and aquaint yourself with true
outback favour of this bush pub and tourist spot. Then you
can stop by the numerous towering cathedral termite mounds
that abound along the road.
You can drive yourself in a self-drive 2WD car, 4WD Camper,
4 Wheel Drive Car or even a RV Motorhome rental. There is
a scheduled Kakadu tour to suit every budget and need. if
not then create your own personalized private tour.
Kakadu camping or accommodated tours such as a 4WD adventure
safari is an excellent choice to get the best of kakadu in
short time such as a 3 day tour. A tour really lets you experience
what Kakadu National Park has to offer if you enjoy adventure.
Tours have been developed over the years to offer you excellent
value and take the worry of you when organsing what to see
and do in kakadu. In other words let the expects help you.
There are a number of campgrounds in and just out of Kakadu
National Park. Commercially operated camping areas with power
sites are available at the Kakadu Resort, Kakadu Lodge and
Caravan Park and the Gagudju Lodge Cooinda. Other major park
camping areas suitable for more sizable groups are Merl, Muirella
Park, Mardugal and Gunlom. These camping areas all have solar
heated showers, toilets and washing tub facilities.Camping
areas are divided into 'generator' and 'non-generator' zones.
Specific camping grounds in the park allocate areas of their
park exclusively for camping tour operators.
Free bush camping areas are located throughout the park.
Facilities at these sites are basic or non existent. Some
have what is called minimal camping facilities.
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Camping Tours and Safaris to Kakadu National
Park in Northern Territory Australia
There are numerous tour companies offering Camping Tours
and Safaris to Kakadu National Park from Darwin in the
Northern Territory that depart daily or have scheduled tours
and private tours. Camping tours are often called Camping
Safaris or Camping Tours often indicating the same type of
tour components.
Scheduled Tours - are tours that leave on a daily,
or nomiinated days of the week or weekly scheduled departure.
All tours require a minimum number of passengers to commence
and in peak season this never seems to be a concern. They
are all guided with a tour driver who is also the guide and
cook. Group particpation is part of the fun and getting to
know the other travellers in your tour.
Guided Tours - Camping tours from Darwin have accredited
guides as the Northern Territory Parks authority is very strigent
on guides. Northern territory has a high calibre of guides
who have excellent local knowledge of cultural significance,
history, flora and fauna. Usually you fing a guide may have
a hobby and be a local expert in a particular field like flora,
bush medicine plants, birds, retiles or Aboriginal Culture
which makes the tour that little bit more interesting.
Scheduled Tours with Semi Permanent Tents and Camps
- Tours can range from one day to a week and can be camping
and sleeping in budget twin or quad share permanent or semi
permanant tents. Semi permanent tents are usually smaller
2 to 3 person dome tents you have to help erect your self.
There generally is permanent cooking facilities and purpose-built
fire pits, screened eating areas, share showers and toilets.
Scheduled Tours with Safari in Style Camping Tents
- Then you also have the local class of 'Safari in Style'
tents which are tents usually with a metal frame bed and fan
and very roomy. There generally is permanent cooking facilities
and purpose-built fire pits, screened eating areas, share
showers and toilets.
Scheduled Tours with Swags and Bushcamping - Then
there are those tours that prefer to sleep under the stars
in swags (Aussie bedroll), this is called generally Bush Camping
- no facilities other than those that are carried on the vehicle.
Toilet stops are always on the agenda of course. Some camps
have share showers and toilets.
Scheduled Backpacker Tours - One tends to see this
word 'Backpacker' used very sparingly lately in the tour industry.
To me a backpacker tour is nowdays a budget minded camping
or accommodated tour a fun component included in the itinerary.
These tours historically have targeted the ages of 18-35's
though nodays it's creeping up to early 40's and as long as
your fit and agile with a happy outlook your welcomed with
most 'Backpacker Tours'. There is the odd tour operator who
recommends the age guidleine to 18-35 and these are easy to
see looking for a tour.
Private Tours also known as Customized Tours, Personalised
Safari, Personalized Tours, Chartered Tours and Exclusive
Tours, - If you have specific points of interest the tour
operator and even the guides on route can personally create
a Tour to suit your individual requirements.
Hosted and Guided Tours - Usually part of a scheduled
guided tour that also has the driver and a second person being
the host/guide as well.
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2WD Coster Buses, 2WD Coach Touring Vehicles
used by Tour operators to Kakadu National Park
There are 2WD Coaster Bus tours which carry up to 16-22 passengers.
Then there are also the larger 38-45 seat coaches with and
without onboard cassette toilets.
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4WD - 4 Wheeel Drive Drive Touring Vehicles
to Kakadu National Park
There are the different 3 main types of 4WD (4 Wheel Drive)
tours. The first which carry 9 Passengers in a Troopcarrier
(3 in the front and 8 in the back on 2 bench seats that are
side facing each other).
The second is the larger front facing seated 4WD such as
the Oka's, Canters, Mitsubishi or Isuzu -
16, 17 or 20 seats front facing air-conditioned vehicle.
These tend to have spacious cabs with ample legroom
and forward facing seats for increased comfort and a better
view for greater appreciation of the scenery.
The third is the luxury Prado or Landcruiser being 5 or 8
front facing seat vehicles.
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Accommodated Cabin or Hotel Tours to Kakadu National Park
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Tours can range from one day to a week and can be budget (which
can vary from shared kitchen facilities, toilet and shower)
or local luxury accommodated tours with a ensuite, TV, airconditionaing
and coffee and tea facility. |
Accommodated at Jabiru and Cooinda in Kakadu
National Park
Accommodation in and just out of Kakadu National Park offers
a range of accommodation types, from three-star hotels to
camping areas with no facilities.
Commercial hotel or motel-style accommodation
in or near Kakadu National Park
Commercial hotel or motel-style accommodation
in or near Kakadu National Park - is available at the Kakadu
Resort (South Alligator), Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn (Jabiru)
and Gagudju Lodge Cooinda.
Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn - Located in the Jabiru Area
of Kakadu, the Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn is a is a 3 ½
star property built in the shape of a crocodile.
Gagudju Lodge Cooinda - Located in the Yellow Water Area
of Kakadu, the Gagudju Cooinda Lodge is a is a 2 ½ star property
situated on the Yellow Waters Billabong.
Kakadu Resort (South Alligator) - Aurora Kakadu - in the
Kakadu Wetlands - Located in the South Alligator Area of Kakadu,
the Aurora Kakadu is a 3 ½ star property, offering 138 units
which include private patios or balconies, air conditioning,
colour television, refrigerator and tea and coffee making
facilities.
Budget accommodation in or near Kakadu National Park
Budget accommodation in or near Kakadu National Park - is
available at the Kakadu Lodge and Caravan Park (Jabiru) and
the Gagudju Lodge Cooinda - affiliated with the Youth Hotel
Association (YHA).
Lakeview Park Kakadu - Located in the Jabiru Area of Kakadu,
the Lakeview Park Kakadu offers unique accommodation designed
by award winning Troppo Architects for the climate and experience
of Kakadu. Lakeview Park Kakadu is ideal for families and
groups as well as business people and backpackers.
Kakadu Lodge - Also located in the Jabiru Area of Kakadu,
Kakadu Lodge is situated on the fringe of the Jabiru township
and is central to many of the attractions of the Park.
Gagudju Lodge Cooinda - Located in the Yellow Water Area
of Kakadu, the Gagudju Cooinda Lodge is a is a 2 ½ star property
situated on the Yellow Waters Billabong.
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Selfdrive 4WD, Camper, Motorhome, RV hire and rentals
through Kakadu National Park
Darwin with an population of 120,000 is approximately 4050km
from Sydney, 3500km from Brisbane, 3200km from Adelaide, 4500km
from Perth and 1482km from Alice Springs. Due to such long
driving distances, it is sometimes not practical for international
visitors to drive to Darwin from other state capital cities
with time permitting. The drive between Darwin and Alice Springs
does however contain a number of interesting and unique sights
for visitors to enjoy. As a result, many international visitors
hire or rent recreational '4WD' 4 Wheel Drives, Campers, RV's,
Motor Homes and Camper Vans to explore the Northern Territory
of the Top End and Central Australia. When touring the Northern
Territory, visit Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park a living
cultural landscape, located approximately 443 km south west
of Alice Springs (1452 klm from Darwin) by road.
The 4 Wheel Drive recognised tracks with camp sites are:
4 Mile Hole, 2 Mile Hole, Bucket Billabong, Alligator Billabong
Sandy Billabong, Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls, Red Lily Billabong,
Maguk (Barramundi Gorge), Koolpin Gorge and Graveside Gorge
(Graveside Gorge 4 Wheel Drive recognised track requires
additional permit, bookings are required, with experienced
4WD only)
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What to do, what see, what to experience in Kakadu
National Park
Essential experiences to consider are taking a cruise on
the tranquil waters of the yellow Water Billabong to view
the overwhelming prolific birdlife. Then witness a spectacular
sunset over the Arnhemland Escarpment 'say' from Ubirr. A
must is to view the Aboriginal rock art at Nourlangie Rock.
The see kakadu from the air with a scenic flight, especially
in the 'Green Season' and the tremendous volumes of water
coming off the waterfalls on the Arnhemland Escarpement. Take
one or more of the treks and hikes tracks throughout kakadu
national park (make sure you tick off all the requirements
first). Above all educate yourself properly on the culture
of the parks people, flora and fauna by visiting both the
Bowali Centre in Jabiru and the Warradjen Cultural Centre
in Cooinda.
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Opening hours of Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is open 365 days per year. Given the
large size of Kakadu there are a number of key attractions
that have different operating hours these are:
* Bowali Visitor Centre - is
open from 8am to 5pm.
* Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural
Centre - is open from 9am to 5pm.
* Ubirr Rock - is open from 8:30am
until sunset from 1 April until 30 November
* Ubirr Rock - is also open
from 2pm until sunset from 1 December until 31 March.
* Nourlangie Rock - is open from
dawn until dusk.
All of the attractions are open every day of the year and
all times are Central Standard Time. These are based on last
information recieved.
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Kakadu National Park - Seasons
But Australia's Kakadu sees seasons of varied extremes --
so varied, in fact, that the park's longtime aboriginal inhabitants
have divided the year into six distinct seasons.
• Kakadu
Seasons - Gunumeleng Pre-Monsoon Storm Season - Gunumeleng,
from mid-October to late December, may in fact last from a
few weeks to several months.
• Kakadu
Seasons - Gudjewg - Monsoon Season - Gudjewg, from January
to March, can be described as the 'true' wet season.
• Kakadu
Seasons - Banggereng - Knock 'em down storm Season - Banggerreng,
in April, is the season when the rain clouds have dispersed
and clear skies prevail.
• Kakadu
Seasons - Yegge - Cooler but still humid Season - Yegge,
from May to mid-June, is relatively cool with low humidity.
• Kakadu
Seasons - Wurrgeng - Cold Weather Season - Wurrgeng, from
mid-June to mid-August, is the 'cold weather' time; humidity
is low, daytime temperatures are around 30°C and night-time
temperatures are around 17°C.
• Kakadu
Seasons - Gurrung - Hot Dry Weather - Gurrung, from mid-August
to mid-October, is hot and dry.
Resources
• www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/
• www.environment.gov.au/parks/
• www.facebook.com/RoadReportNT
• www.roadreport.nt.gov.au/
• www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport/
• www.toiletmap.gov.au/
• www.travelnt.com/
• https://www.northaustralianhelicopters.com.au/
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www.kakadunationalparkaustralia.com
is part of the specialist for selfdrive leisure vehicle rentals
and tour specialist including camping and accommodated one
day or extended tours and safaris from the group of Goholi
groop being an experienced respected licensed Travel Agent
in Darwin, Northern Terriotry Australia (Tel +61 (0) 8 7999
7511). Why come to us - Let us try to get you a discount off
the recommended rates with professional and experienced service.
www.kakadunationalparkaustralia.com is an 'Affiliate'
of the Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals group of sites. A licensed
Australian Travel Agent based in Northern Territory Australia.
Goholi Pty Ltd
Postal: GPO Box 380, Darwin, NT 0801
Email: info@australia4wdrentals.com
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Please note some of these links are supplied only as a link
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next vacation to Kakadu National Park in Northern Territory
Australia also know as the 'Top End'.
Australian Kakadu National Park travel guide and information
is not the offical site - the offical government site is http://www.kakadu.com.au.
This search site offering links to Kakadu, Litchfield, Uluru,
Darwin and Northern Territory accommodations, tours, safaris,
activities, nature parks, nature reserves and adventure activities.
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