The Kakadu National Park is a very distinctive ethnological reserve, and is within the Alligators Rivers region in the Northern Territory of Australia, and covers nearly 5 million acres of land. It has continuously been occupied for the last 40,000 years, and there have been many archaeological finds in proof, and there are still Aboriginal people living there. The park is known for its amazing wetlands, and has many different types of ecosystems, including floodplains, plateaux, and tidal flats. Kakadu National Park is the second largest national park in the world, and is also on the World Heritage list.
A proposal to make Kakadu a national park was made in 1965, but wasn’t actually made an official park reserve until after 1978 because it took the Australian Government that long to obtain the titles for the land. Kakadu National Park was declared under the NPWC Act in three different stages between 1979 and 1991. Stage One was declared in April 5th, 1979, Stage Two on February 28th, 1984, and Stage Three was declared in June of 1987.
There are many beautiful things to see at Kakadu year-round, and many things to do as well. As far as wildlife goes, there’s over 250 different species of birds, 55 different types of fish, and thousands of species of insects. Throughout the wetlands, you can see many different kinds of birds including the comb-crested jacana, rainbow bee-eaters, red-tailed black cockatoos, and burdekin ducks. There are also many strange reptiles there. In my opinion, the strangest one of all is the rough knob-tailed gecko. It has a short, knobby tail, eyes like a snake, and a head shaped somewhat like a frog’s! Walks are a favorite activity to do in the Kakadu Park, as there’s many different ways to go, and things to see. Be careful, though, as the routes are unmarked. It’s best to take a guided tour. Also, make sure to check out the gorgeous rock art dating back from 50,000 years ago. There are different styles and types of art, including special events and dating.
The area that Kakadu is located actually has 6 different seasons of weather instead of only 4. From December to March is their ‘monsoon’ (heavy rain) season, or Gudjewg. April is the season of Banggerreng, or what they call their ‘knock ‘em down storm’ season, as the violent storms knock down the fields of spear grass. From May to June is Yegge, which is the season of cooler, low humidity weather. From June to August is Wurreng, which is the cold weather season, with daytime temperatures at an average of 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime temperatures dropping to around 62 degrees. August to October is the dry, hot weather, or Gurrung, and October to December is the pre-storm season, or Gunumeleng, with hot weather that gradually becomes extremely humid.
The best time of year to visit Kakadu is during the monsoon season, between the months of December and March. During monsoon season, the floodplains are full of water, waterfalls are flowing freely, and all of the native vegetation is vivacious. This season is also known for great, dramatic sunsets.
The Kakadu National Park is open every day of the year. International and interstate visitors over the age of 16 are required to purchase a park pass for $25, and this will allow you in the park without any other fees for 14 consecutive days. If you wish to stay longer, you may renew the pass only once for an additional $25. All Northern Territory residents and children under the age of 16 may enter for free. There is a fee exemption for school groups and sponsored guests of Tourism Australia or Tourism NT. For fee exemption, the groups are required to submit a fee exemption form. Make sure you apply in advance before your trip, as it can take 14 or more business days for your application to be processed. The fee exemption form is available for download at the park’s website, kakadu.com.au
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