Discover Kakadu National Park: Australia's Hidden Gem

Kakadu National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, its beautiful landscape is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Kakadu holds and showcases the skills and way of life of Aboriginal people over tens of thousands of years. 

Fun Fact: 

Kakadu National Park is one of the largest in the world. It covers nearly 20,000 square kilometers of land - To put the size into perspective, the park is the size of Wales, it's about one-third the size of Tasmania and nearly half the size of Switzerland!

Kakadu National Park offers a huge range of memorable experiences - from cruising on the Yellow Water Billabong and joining Aboriginal-led safaris, to flying over beautiful waterfalls and even staying in a crocodile-shaped hotel. 

If you want information about various tours and activities, accommodations and insider travel tips, keep reading!

How to get to Kakadu National Park 

The easiest way to get to Kakadu National is by flying to Darwin. Once you arrive in Darwin, you can hire a car/camper, or simply book with a tour company.

The main tour company that offers various tours from Darwin to Kakadu is AAT Kings. Or you can book on websites such as GetYourGuide.

If you have a car, you can drive, but be advised that the drive will be lengthy in very remote areas. So, it's best to arrange your road trip in advance and have all the necessary supplies you’ll need for a long road trip. 

Be advised that some unpaved roads in Kakadu require a 4WD, so if you’re thinking of hiring a car, we would recommend hiring a 4WD so you can make the most of your trip. 

Accommodation in Kakadu National Park

When it comes to accommodation in Kakadu, it is quite limited. I have created a list from budget friendly options, to your more luxury options. 

Budget friendly accommodation 

The cheapest way to travel Kakadu is by self-drive and camping. Here is a provided list of campgrounds that are in Kakadu.

• Cooinda lodge campground 

• Aurora Kakadu lodge and Campground 

• Anbinik Kakadu resort and Campground 

These campgrounds have amenities like restaurants, swimming pools, showers, and restrooms. However, there are lots of other campgrounds that are more rustic and devoid of amenities if you’re wanting the true outback getaway. 

Mid-range accommodation 

There are options available if you're willing to pay extra for comfort and air conditioning. 

• Cooinda Lodge  - Lodge room  

• Cooinda Lodge  - Eco Tent 

There are accommodations in a little town called Jabiru if you want something that isn't too remote and has some stores.

• Aurora Kakadu lodge - Lodge rooms 

• Anbinik Kakadu resort - Hotel rooms 

• Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel  

The distinctive feature of the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile hotel is its crocodile-shaped design. Please read our blog to learn more about the Crocodile Hotel and how to apply to work here. (link blog - Working in the outback). 

Luxury accommodation

• Cooinda lodge - Yellow Water Villa 

• Bamurru Plains - Bungalow

Tours and activities 

Kakadu has a large range of tours and activities. 

As previously mentioned you can book a 2-3 day tour with AAT Kings. This tour offers activities such as: 

• Yellow Water Billabong Cruise

• Nourlangie Aboriginal Rock Art

• Warradjan Cultural Centre

• Arnhem Land by 4WD

• Scenic flight of Kakadu

All of these tours/activities are still possible if you're driving; you’ll just have a little more flexibility.

Kakadu Tourism - Cooinda Lodge Tours:

• Algohgarrng Stargazing Tour

• Yellow Water Fishing

• Kakadu Adventure Tour

• Bush Tucker Tour

• Culture of Kakadu

• Overnight Tour with Kakadu Billabong Safari Camp

Locations accessible by 2WD:

• Ubirr - Offers a 360 view of Arnhem land, perfect to watch the sunset

• Mamukale Wetlands 

• Cahill’s Crossing 

Locations accessible by 4WD: 

• Motorcar Falls

• JimJim Falls

• Maguk

Here’s where you’ll find information regarding swimming in Kakadu: Kakadu Swimming Spots & safety. 

Insider tips 

Kakadu has 2 main seasons. 

1. Wet season (November-March) - Due to the quantity of rainfall during the wet season, a third of the park will become a floodplain and tropical storms are common. In these months, the humidity is very high. During the wet season, you can still visit Kakadu, but be advised that most of the waterfalls will be closed due to flooding, including many roads in the park.

2. Dry season (May-October) - In Kakadu, the dry season is the busiest time of year. Everything reopens, the humidity disappears and the mosquito population declines which makes it the most pleasant time of year to visit Kakadu. 

Safety tips - 

Kakadu is a beautiful location, however, due to its native wildlife, extreme heat, and remote location, there can be many risks if you do not prepare properly. 

If you’re planning on visiting Kakadu, here are a few tips we would recommend: 

• Travel with family/friends/partner

• Avoid straying from roads or walkways as there is a greater chance of becoming lost

• Avoid approaching any wildlife and exercise caution around native species

• Do not swim in any areas which don’t have a ‘safe to swim’ sign

• Always make sure you have enough fuel and water 

• Set out your intentions

Here is a list of items we recommend bringing during your visit to Kakadu: 

• Sunscreen 

• A hat 

• A light long sleeved shirt and trousers (to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes)

• Mosquito repellent 

• A mosquito net if you’re camping 

• Head torch 

• Warm layers (during the dry season, temperatures plummet overnight) 

• Trainers/walking shoes

• Swimwear 

For up to a year, Nathan and I had the most amazing time living and working in Kakadu. We had the opportunity to experience both of the amazing seasons and the rich culture of Arnhem land. We would strongly advise anyone traveling across Australia to see Kakadu as it is the true outback experience. You won’t find any place quite like it. 

If you would like to find out more about what it is like to work in the outback and how you can apply; please sign up to our news letter to receive notifications when we release the new blog.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read. We hope this has inspired you to explore one of Australia's most stunning landscapes. If you’re ready to experience the beauty and adventure firsthand, start planning your trip today! Don’t forget to share your journey with us - we’d love to hear about your experiences in this incredible part of the world. 

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Happy traveling!