The Kakadu National Park, an archaeological and ethnological site.

The Kakadu National Park

Is a protected area, located within the Alligator Rivers Region of  the Northern Territory of Australia, 171 km southeast of Darwin.  It covers an area of 19,804 km² (7,646 mi²), extending nearly 200 km from north to south and over 100 km from east to west. It is a unique example of a complex of ecosystems, including tidal flats, floodplains, lowlands and plateaux, and provides a habitat for a wide range of rare or endemic species of plants and animals.

This unique archaeological and ethnological reserve, has been inhabited continuously for more than 40,000 years. The cave, paintings, rock carvings and archaeological sites record the skills and way of life of the region´s inhabitants, from hunter-gatherers of prehistoric times to the Aboriginal people still living there.
The name Kakadu comes from the mispronunciation of Gaagudju, which is the name of an Aboriginal language formerly spoken in the northern part of the park. It is the size of Slovenia, about one -third the size of Tasmania, or Nearly half the size of Switzerland.

Entrance to the park.

Kakadu is ecologically and biologically diverse. The main natural features protected within the National Park include: Four major river systems, six major landforms, a remarkable variety and concentration of wildlife. Kakadu National Park is renowned for the richness of its Aboriginal cultural sites. There are more than 5,000 recorded art sites illustrating Aboriginal culture over thousands of years. The cultural and natural values of Kakadu National Park were recognised internationally when the park was placed on the UNESCO  World Heritage List. 

Flora and Fauna

Kakadu´s flora is among the richest in northern Australia with more than 1700 plant species recorded which is a result of the park´s geological, landform and habitat diversity. Kakadu is also considered to be one of the most weed free national parks in the world.

Sacred Lotus, Kakadu National Park. By: Tracy Ryan Photos

The diverse environments of Kakadu National Park supports a great array of animals, a number of which have adapted to particular habitats. some animals in the park are rare, endangered, vulnerable or endemic. Responding to the extreme weather conditions experienced in the park, many animals are active only at particular times of the day or nigth or at particular times of the year.

Saltwater Crocodile on Waters Edge. Poster by AllPosters

Antelope spotted in Kakadu. Tourist Glen Boyd took this photo of what appeas to be an African antelope living in Kakadu National Park. (Glen Boyd)

Landforms

There are six main landforms in Kakadu:

The Arnhem Land plateau and escarpment complex, known as the stone country; The outliers; the lowlands; the southern hills and basins; the floodplains and the tidal flats. Each landform has its own range of habitats. 

The dramatic Arnhem Land Escarpment rises 1000 feet above the Arnhem Land Plateau in Kakadu National

Kakadu´s varied landscapes and the habitats they contain are features that contributed to its listing as a World Heritage Area. Most of Kakadu was under a shallow sea approximately 140 million years ago, with the escarpment wall formed from sea cliffs and Arnhem Land from a flat plateau above the sea.

Jim Jim falls in Kakadu Photo by Tourism Northern Territory.

Twin Falls by Julian Kigma

Aboriginal rock art sites

In kakadu National Park exist a many art sites, there are internationally recognised as outstanding examples of Aboriginal rock art. These sites are found in rocky outcrops that have afforded shelter to Aboriginal inhabitants for thousands of years. The painting in these rocks shelters where done for various reasons:

Hunting- animals were often painted to increase their abundance and to ensure a successful hunt by placing people in touch with the spirit of the animal.

This painting depicts a hunter hunting kangaroo with his spear. 

Religious significance- at some sites paintings depict aspects of particular ceremonies.

Rock art mimi spirit picture

Stories and learning- stories associated with the Creation Ancestors, who gave shape to the world were painted.

Hand stencils, a traditional form of Australian Aboriginal painting. 

Sorcery and magic- paintings could be used to manipulate events and influence people´s lives, fun-for play and practice.

Sorcery rock painting

Tourism

Kakadu´s is a major tourist attraction in Australia´s north. Kakadu´s dramatic landscape, Aboriginal cultural significance and diverse and abundant wildlife are what visitors are drawn to.

Kakadu´s tourist

There are  many beautiful waterfalls and gorges within the park that are popular with visitors, such as:
Maguk

Maguk gorges, Image courtesy of Tourism NT

Gunlom falls

Twin Falls and Jim Jim falls.
Kakadu National Park has some of the best examples of Aboriginal rock art in Australia. These sites of Nourlangie and Ubirr are among the most visited locations in the park. It is possible to view some of Kakadu´s diverse wildlife cruise or at Mamukala Wetlands or Anbangbang Billabong. The Kakadu region is one of the world´s best for bird watching as approximately 30 percent of Australia´s bird species can be seen here.

Bird life at Mamukala wetlands

Anbangbang Billabong

Large saltwater crocodiles are also commonplace and visitors are likely to see them at Yellow Water and East Alligator River so it was no coincidence that the Crocodile Dundee films were shot here. Visitors are urged to exercise caution around crocodiles as they have been responsible for a number of fatal attacks. 

Recreational fishing is a popular activity inside Kakadu National Park. The main target species is Barramundi and the most popular locations are Yellow Water, the south alligator and the East Alligator River. Hunting is not allowed in Kakadu National Park.

Park use fee

Like many World Heritage sites around the world, including Yellowstone National Park, Serengeti National Park, Stonhenge,  Pompeii and Herculaneum and the Pyramids of Egypt - the park use fee helps to maintain world-best management practices and facilities for the more than 200,000 visitors who experience Kakadu each year.

Be careful

The $25 fee (which is inclusive of GST) applies to all interstate and international visitors aged 16 years and over. All Northern Territory residents and children under 16 are exempt.

TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE KAKADU NATIONAL PARK TOURISM WEBSITE

Camp sites

There are a wide variety of designated camping sites throughout the park.

Jabiru cooinda:

 Is the main town in Kakadu, offering a range of convenient service.

South Alligator: 

This site region you will see on the drive from Darwin-a great base for exploring the Mamukala Wetlands.

Jabiru Cooinda and South Alligator all have commercial camping areas and are in close proximity to most of the important natural attractions in these areas. Some of the park´s campsites charge a nominal fee as these have shower and toilet facilities, others are fee, however they have limited or no facilities. 

East Alligator:

This is Kakadu´s stone contry, near the escarpment in the north of hte park. A great base for exploring Ubirr and Arnhem Land.

For other sites to camp visit Parks Australia website.

For more information of Kakadu National Park you can visit:

• Parks Australia website
• Aussie Adventures
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• http://www.kakadunationalparkaustralia.com/

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