Kakadu National Park   NT  0886
Population: 2,000,  
Height above sea level: ,  
Latitude: -12.669147  Longitude: 132.832403
Location:   220km south east of Darwin
Highway: Arnhem Hwy 
Nearest Major Town: Darwin
Nearest Airport: Darwin
Touring Area: Top End
 
The Jim Jim falls at Kakadu
KAKADU - NORTHERN TERRITORY - 0886
KAKADU NATIONAL PARK: World Heritage Area (listed 1984)
LOCATION: Kakadu National Park is located 250km.south-east of Darwin along the Arnhem Highway. At its centre is the township of Jabiru which serves as a touring centre for the region.
SIZE: 86,000Ha. (19,000 sq km.)
The name Kakadu comes from the aboriginal "gagadju" the main language spoken in the area at the start of the 20th. century. Aboriginal people have inhabited the site for an estimated 40,000 years and much evidence of their culture can be seen in the many shelters, the paintings, and stone tools and implements which can be found.
The best known features of the park relating to aboriginal culture are Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock where the legend of the 'Dreamtime' will be presented and explained.
The legends of this part of Australia relate to the creators 'Namarrgon' the Lightning Man and 'Ngalyod' the Rainbow Serpent. Cave paintings, the oldest aboriginal paintings in the world, depict fish, birds and animals and are presented as 'X ray" paintings showing internal organs as well as outward appearance. The famed body stencils of hands and feet are created by spitting ochre over a hand held against the wall to outline an individuals 'handprint'. There are some 5,000 places of aboriginal significance within the park.
between November and March, the "Wet" season the flood plains fill and become home to millions of birds and the waterfalls spring to life as the evening monsoonal downpours fill the billabongs and rivers and allow water access to most of the park. Flights over the park to view some of the inaccessible areas can be spectacular and to see the Jim Jim Falls in full flight from the air is a breath-taking experience.
FEATURES: Rugged mountain scenery with walks, waterfalls,wetlands and numerous species of flora and fauna. Accommodation and camping.
An extensive eco-system has evolved in the region and the park is home to 275 species of birds, 75 of reptiles, 25 0f frogs, some 10,000 of insects and 1,600 species of plants.
ENTRY
There is an entry fee of *$15.00 per adult for 14 days (free entry for children under 15) and there are camping sites which might attract additional fees scattered around the park.
There is hotel/motel accommodation at Cooinda, Jabiru and South Alligator River and tours operate from Jabiru to thge main features of the park.
Sealed roads allow conventional vehicle access to most of the park all year although 4WD will be required to reach Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls and Maguk. Light planes and helicopters provide scenic flights and information on the park is available from the National Park on Telephone: (08) 8938 1100
* Prices may increase since this report was compiled.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
  • Wetlands
  • Crocodiles and Wildlife
  • Jim Jim Falls
  • Twin Falls
    ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES:

    ACCOMMODATION SEARCH
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    INFORMATION CENTRE:
    Tourism Top End Visitor Information Centre
    Cnr. Mitchell & Knuckey Sts. Darwin. NT 0800
    Ph: 08 8936 2499

    HOW TO GET THERE:
    By car along the Stuart Hwy. south from Darwin to the Arnhem Hwy then east.

    • Light Plane
    • Coach or Rail to Darwin then coach.

    © Copyright Peter W. Wilkins