Kakadu National Park

Located in Northern Australia, the Kakadu National Park covers an expanse of 19,804 square kilometers. It is home to all kinds of wildlife - including 50 freshwater species, 60 mammal species, 280 bird species, 1,600 plant species and 10,000 insect species. Six popular landforms such as floodplains, tidal flats, estuaries, lowlands, basins, southern hills, Stone Country and outliers may be found within the National Park. Set in the eastern part of Darwin, Kakadu also boasts of four major rivers like the East Alligator River, the Wildman River, the West Alligator River, and the South Alligator River.

Straddling between 12° and 14° south of the Equator, the Kakadu National Park has a monsoonal climate. This is known for its two seasons: rain season and dry season. The rainy season usually occurs during the months of January to April, when rain is expected and the temperature is warm. The dry season falls on the months of April to September, when easterly and dry southerly trade winds blow. There is low humidity and less chance of rain during this season.

Kakadu is Nature's Haven

With several land forms and bodies of water located in Kakadu, most tourists are fascinated by its wide array of fauna. A few of Kakadu's animals are endangered, rare or endemic. They are active at certain times of a day because of the extreme climate. There are over 60 species of mammals, ranging from placental mammals to marsupials, that live in Kakadu. They may be found in woodlands and open forests, but they may not be quite visible because they are nocturnal. Kangaroos and wallabies can be spotted easily during times when the temperature is cooler. Aside from mammals, over 280 species of birds live in Kakadu and constitute over one-third of Australia's avian species.

Freshwater fish is also abundant in the waters of Kakadu like the Magela Creek, where 32 species are said to inhabit. There are also 10,000 species of insects in Kakadu, but a majority of them are often ignored by visitors. Insect groups in Kakadu are comprised of beetles, grasshoppers, flies, butterflies, termites, bees, moths, ants, wasps, damselflies, dragonflies, caddis flies, mayflies and non-biting midges. This wide array of insects resulted from the Park's comparatively high temperatures during a year. Among all insect groups, the termites are considered most striking because of their creative and well-structured mounds. The Leichhardt’s grasshopper, with its spectacular orange, black and blue colors, is also eye-catching. This can be located in Gregory National Park and on Arnhem Land plateau.

Now, there are 117 reptile species in Kakadu, which depend on the Park's dry climate to help them regulate body temperatures. But this does not mean that reptiles move only in daytime because some snakes can take the noon time heat and still be active during nightfall. The two crocodile species, the Saltwater Crocodile and the Freshwater Crocodile, are usually seen in Kakadu. Tourists can tell them apart through the difference in their scutes, the four large bony humps on their heads, sizes and snouts. The Freshwater Crocodile is smaller, has a broader snout and lacks scutes.

In Northern Australia, Kakadu has the most number of plant species. The park's habitat diversity and geological characteristics supported the growth of over 1,600 plant groups. Each geographical location in Kakadu is known for its own plant specie. The basins and southern hills are where Eucalyptus koolpinensis can be found, while resurrection grasses are located in Stone Country despite its extreme heat. Grasses such as sedges, wildflowers and spear grass are usually found in the Park's lowland areas. Floodplains where freshwater mangroves, paper bark trees, waterlilies, and pandanus species are to be found, while banyan fig trees and kapok trees are located in monsoon forests.

Kakadu and the Aboriginal Culture

Found in a bounty of nature, the Kakadu National Park also emanates with the cultural richness behind its Aboriginal heritage. Actually, its name was derived from a mispronounced term, "Gagadju", which was the spoken language in the northern areas of the Park. The Aboriginal people lived in Kakadu for over 40,000 years and over 5,000 Aboriginal art sites have been discovered. The discovery of this rich cultural value led to Kakadu National Park's recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage List.

Together with the Australian Government's Department of the Environment and Water Resources, Parks Australia and the Kakadu Board of Management, the Aboriginal residents of Kakadu help in ensuring that the Park's traditional and cultural identity is kept. Even though the Aboriginal people have lived different lifestyles in recent years, their beliefs and customs are still practiced today.

Places to visit in Kakadu/Tours

Taking a trip to the Kakadu National Park is an adventure for the senses. Tourists are bound for an experience with nature and culture. To get to Kakadu, visitors take a three-hour drive along Arnhem Highway, while for those who want to experience a different way of exploring the site, they can try Kakadu tours through 4WD safaris and camping tours. Crocodiles, dingos, goannas, wallabies, and different kinds of birds may be spotted within Kakadu. The flora's magnificent changes, which occur between the tropical summer season to dry season, are also what most tourists wait for. Taking pictures beside towering termite mounds found along the road are also a favorite among visitors.

Kakadu tours also include trips to several areas within the Park such as the Warradjen Cultural Centre, Aurora Kakadu Resort, Nourlangie Rock, Ubirr Rock, Twin Falls and the Jim Jim Falls. Nature trippers will surely enjoy the Kakadu's scenic beauty through biking, trekking, swimming, and even cruising. A Kakadu trip won't be complete without sampling the sumptuous Australian dishes such as barbecued buffalo, barramundi, or kangaroo. Most tourists who come to Kakadu stay at the Bark Hutt Inn and the Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn. Visitors who would like to go on the Yellow Waters Billabong Cruise should get accommodations at the Gagudju Cooinda Lodge, where the passengers are to board.

The mining town of Jabiru services the area and the Ranger and Jabaluka Uranium Mines. Scenic flights offer a glimpse of the vast, ancient and varied landscape, flying over wetlands, waterfalls and the immense landscape, a blanket of clour to the horizon in every direction.

With so many activities to do and so many sights to see, a trip to the Kakadu National Park is definitely an experience blessed by Aboriginal culture and mother nature. Aside from getting a glimpse of nature's diversity, a Kakadu tour reminds visitors that there can still be a coexistence between man and nature.

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