We’re here in Darwin, the Capital of Northern Territory – on the Northern tip of Australia that had been bombed during World War II but have rapidly grown into a vibrant city. Heading to the famous Kakadu National Park down South tomorrow, we’re all geared up to trek through the floodplains and climb rocky hills, on our 4WD adventure trip. Let’s find out more about Kakadu before exploring the sprawling outback.

Almost the same size as Slovenia, Kakadu National Park stretches over 20,000 kilometres, with a landscape ranging from mangrove-fringed plains to lowland hills and sandstone cliffs. The unique biodiversity and exceptional beauty in landscape and wildlife earn Kakadu its World Heritage Status. With more than 5000 listed Aboriginal art sites and a diversity of wildlife second only to the Amazon, Kakadu has every little right to claim itself a World-Class Nature Reserve.

Diverse Wildlife

Home to 1600 plant species and thousands of different species of animals, many of them are found nowhere else in the world, while some are yet to be discovered.   The Blue-Winged Kookaburra is just one of the many kingfisher species that add a splash of colour to the forests and waterways of Kakadu. Kookaburras are best known for their unmistakable call, which is uncannily like loud, echoing human laughter.

Crocodiles are a way of life in the Top End. Freshwater crocs are smaller and shy, but this fully grown saltwater croc is afraid of nothing and earns the respect of local communities. Every year the big rains wash hundreds of crocs downstream into Kakadu and many remain in billabongs and lagoons. Indigenous people call the saltwater crocs “Ginga”, and follow them for days in the early dry season to discover their nests.

Buffalo, wallaby and goanna also roam freely in the wild plains of Kakadu. Wildlife safaris can also be arranged when animal experts will point out to you sightings of wildlife in the Park.

Aboriginal Rock Art

Traditionally owned by the Aboriginal owners, the name ‘Kakadu’ comes from an Aboriginal floodplain language called Gagudju which was one of the languages spoken at the beginning of the twentieth century. Kakadu has been home to Aboriginal people for more than 50,000 years, and during that time the land and their culture have become intertwined. Looking after and living off country is an important part of Aboriginal culture, a culture they are happy to share.

The sandstone blocks of Kakadu and Arnhem Land house a supreme collection of rock art. Kakadu itself contains one of the greatest concentrations of rock art sites in the world. The rock art sites are concentrated along the escarpment, in gorges, and on rock outliers; many of these sites are large and contain many layers of paintings. The paintings, estimated to range in age from 20,000 years to the recent present, constitute one of the longest historical records of any group of people in the world.

Jim Jim Falls

The Park boasts of several waterholes, billabongs and waterfalls. Out of the many, Jim Jim Falls is the most stunning, and have been voted as No.1 in the Top 10 Falls in Australia. The walk through Jim Jim area takes you through monsoon forest and over boulders to a deep plunge pool surrounded by spectacular 150 metre high cliffs.  In the dry season, when access is possible via a 60 km dirt road (the last 11 km are really suitable for 4WD only), the water dries up and the falls often don’t fall. In the wet season, when the falls are at their most spectacular, it is impossible to drive any vehicle into the area. The best way to see the Falls is by light plane or helicopter. Across the Twin Falls Gorge Plateau, and you’ll be enthralled by the majestic views on the way to the top of the gorge and pools can be found along the creek above the falls. You’ll need a 4wd vehicle with a snorkel to cross the often-deep Jim Jim Creek, and from there, the only way is to raft or canoe your way upstream to the beach by the gorgeous falls. However, swimming is strongly discouraged as saltwater crocs have been known to roam the areas from time to time. A rough trek up to the top of the Twin Falls offers stunning views and even pools to frolic in.

Our Adventure tour

We’ve booked ourselves on an 3-Day Kakadu Adventure tour with Wilderness Adventures. Here’s our Itinerary:

You’ll get to see Crocodiles leaping out of the water, visit beautiful waterholes for swimming and relaxing, visit highly significant Aboriginal art sites as well as enjoying fantastic views over the surrounding Park and across to Arnhem Land from many of the lookouts we frequent. We’ll visit Gubara with its lovely rainforest shaded, cascading waterfalls and plunge pools to swim in. If you’re interested in finding out more on Aboriginal history and art then a visit to Ubirr Rock will get you going. Ubirr Rock has probably the best and most detailed rock art within Kakadu, not to mention the view afforded from the top of the rock.

Read on to see how the Adventure tour went!

Resources:

http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jim_Falls