|
|
Kakadu National
Park - Visitors Tourist Information Guide
|
| A Kakadu National
Park tourist travel information guide, visiting and staying
in Kakadu, around and about Kakadu National Park with tropical
Darwin the capital of Northern Territory Australia just 253klm
away. If
travelling by road, you should allow 3 hours travelling time
from Darwin. Maps
of the road to Kakadu and of 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.
Highlight:
Jim Jim Gorge -
Seasonal access approx late June till October. This
site is for the clients booked with Australia 4 Wheel
Drive Rentals for their selfdrive route planning. Please
read our terms
conditions before continuing.
For
all infomation: Bowali Visitor Centre is open 8am to
5pm each day and can be contacted on +61 (0) 8
8938 1121.
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
Where
is Kakadu National Park
Driving
along the Arnhem highway from Darwin to Kakadu - a full
blog with great photos and a real way to get the
feels of the road. 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).
For
enquiries to the Kakadu National Park HQ please telephone
Kakadu National Park - PO Box 71 Jabiru Northern Territory
0886 Australia
Tel +61 (0)8 8938 1100 or HQ 08 89381120
Bowali Visitor Centre
is open 8am to 5pm each day and can be contacted on
+61 (0) 88938 1121. Email:
kakadunationalpark@environment.gov.au
Kakadu
park use fee - From April 2010
Kakadu National Park will re-introduce a park use fee
from April 2010, to help manage the natural and cultural
values of the park environment and improve visitor services.
The $25 fee (which is inclusive of GST) will apply to
all interstate and international visitors aged 16 years
and over. All Northern Territory residents and children
under 16 will be exempt. Tickets and more information
will be available on the Kakadu website www.kakadu.com.au
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Roads
to Kakadu National Park:
Road conditions in the Park vary according to the two 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. About
the World Heritage Kakadu National Park
We here also provide 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 2-5 days so that the major sites can
be explored at your leisure. Kakadu National Park can be visited
selfdrive a 2 wheel drive vehicle such as a car, camper, 4WD
or even a large motorhome 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 below:
Road
conditions and directions to Kakadu National Park from Darwin
|
 |
|
 Along
the Arnhem Highway to Kakadu National Park you can take a
number of cruises from the Adelaide River to see the crocodiles
litterally jump out of the water for a tasty snack. From large
boats to the small cruises such as the Adelaide River Cruises.
Or 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. Wheelchair
access
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.
|
|
|
Camping
Tours and Safaris to Kakadu National Park
|
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.
 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.
|
 |
Scheduled
Tours - are tours that leave on a daily, or
nominated 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. |
|
 |
2WD Coaster
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.
|
|
 |
2WD
Coaches -Then
there are also the larger 38-45 seat coaches with
and without onboard cassette toilets. |
|
|
|
|
4WD
- 4 Wheel Drive Touring Vehicles to Kakadu
|
 |
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 |
|
|
|
|
Selfdrive
4WD, Camper, Motorhome, RV hire and rentals through
Kakadu
|
| |
|
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.
|
|
 |
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) |
|
 |
The third is the
luxury Prado or Landcruiser being 5 or 8 front
facing seat vehicles
|
|
|
|
Accommodated
Cabin or Hotel Tours to Kakadu National Park
|
|
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
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. |
|
|
|
 |
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. |
|
|
| |
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.
|
| |
|
Adds
by Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
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 the season 2006/7.
|
|
Goholi Pty Ltd
Postal: GPO Box 380, Darwin, NT 0801
Email: goholi@bigpond.com
www.kakadunationalaprkaustralia.com
has affliation with the following links
• http://www.australia4tours.com
• http://www.kakadu-tours.com
• http://www.australia4wheeldriverentals.com
• http://www.australia4wdrentals.com
|
|
|
 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 8 89453338). 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. |
| Australian Tour
Information - Mission Statement
Please note some of these links
are supplied only as a link for information our company has
no affliation some of these links. Important;
This site is for the beneift of those researching for their
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.
|
|
