Kakadu National Park is one of the few places in the world that is listed twice as a UNESCO World Heritage site

In the Northern Territory, 200 kilometres east of Darwin, Kakadu National Park is one of the few places in the world that is listed twice as a UNESCO World Heritage site: once for its amazing ecosystem and a second time for Aboriginal rock paintings. With 486,000 hectares of wilderness, the reserve is an ecologically and biologically diverse area with many different landforms and habitats. These include the sandstone plateau and escarpment, areas of savanna woodlands and open forest, rivers, billabongs, floodplains, mangroves and mudflats.

There are over 60 species of mammals found in Kakadu National Park and a great many reptiles including goannas, frill-necked lizards, the frightening saltwater crocodile, water pythons and a number of highly venomous snakes. Kakadu also supports more than 280 species of birds, or about one-third of Australia’s bird species.

More than 1,000 Aboriginal paintings adorn park cliffs. Aboriginal people have lived in Kakadu continuously for at least 50,000 years. There is a rich heritage of Aboriginal art (including cave paintings and rock carvings) and archaeological sites throughout the region. Many Aboriginal artefacts have been found at old camping sites, particularly in the escarpment and floodplain country, recording the skills and way of life of the region’s original inhabitants.

Popular Kakadu tours include hiring a boat to tour the billabongs which fill up in the wet season and shrink during the dry, 4WD safaris and Kakadu art and wildlife small group tours.

When to travel to Kakadu National Park

It’s best to visit Kakadu National Park from early March to mid-October; many roads are impassable during the wet season, around Christmas. No matter when you go, it is essential take along insect repellent, a hat and plenty of sunscreen.