Kakadu is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and culture seekers alike. Known for being the largest National Park in Australia, it is a truly amazing destination. Below, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite things to do in Kakadu.
Visit Yellow Water
Yellow Water Billabong, the most renowned among Kakadu’s abundant billabongs, presents a perfect postcard moment. It features waters adorned with partially submerged paperbarks, pandanus, and water lilies.
The animal population in this area is extraordinary, featuring jabiru, sea eagles, magpie geese, and egrets. Cruises are available throughout the year, and during the dry season, you can also venture into the billabong on foot, using the boardwalks for exploration.
Watch the Sunset or Sunrise at Nawurlandja Lookout
During golden hour, Nawurlandja Lookout is the perfect spot to see the spectacle of beautiful rock formations. When the sun sets, the rock formations start to glow with the suns light.
Explore Ubirr
Ubirr stands as one of the two renowned Aboriginal rock art collections, featuring not just one gallery, but a cluster of them. The approximately one-kilometer circular trail from the carpark presents visitors with the opportunity to explore the Main Gallery, the Namarrgarn Sisters gallery, and the Rainbow Serpent gallery, showcasing artwork spanning over 15,000 years to as recent as 150 years ago.
See Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock Art
Burrungkuy, also known as Nourlangie, is Kakadu’s renowned rock art destination, providing an intriguing glimpse into the rich Aboriginal heritage. The well-preserved site offers multiple art locations, which can be explored within 90-120 minutes along a 1.5-kilometer circular walk. One of the highlights is the Anbangbang Shelter, a haven that has protected locals from the elements for millennia.
Check out Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls
Jim Jim Falls must be visited because of its towering cliffs, reaching an impressive height of 150 meters, enclosing a stunning deep plunge pool. The waterfall is only flowing after the wet season. In the wet season, visitors can swim in the upper pool and marvel at the presence of silica sand, a testament to the area’s ancient past as an inland sea. On the other hand, Twin Falls can be visited because of its continuous year-round flow and breathtaking waterfall.
Embark on one of the Yurmikmik Walks
The Yurmikmik walks offer a network of interconnected trails that are located in Kakadu’s southern region.
Take the two-kilometer Boulder Creek Walk, meandering through monsoon forest and woodlands. For panoramic views of Yurmikmik country, venture on the five-kilometer hike to Yurmikmik Lookout. The 7.5-kilometer Motor Car Falls Walk takes you on a historical path through shaded creeks and rainforest, while the ultimate Kakadu hiking experience lies in the 14-kilometer overnight Motor Car and Kurrundie Creek circuit.
Visit the Mamukala Wetlands
Mamukala, a significant aspect of Kakadu, is renowned for its abundant birdlife. Plan to visit the bird hide shelter during the months of September to October. Here you can witness the mesmerizing spectacle of thousands of magpie geese gathering undisturbed to feed.
Adjacent to Mamukala, you’ll find a range of walks varying from one to four kilometers. The three-kilometer trail alongside the wetlands is perfect for scenery. While it remains beautiful and accessible throughout the year, the late wet season shows the most stunning sight as countless birds gather in flocks of thousands.