A holiday at Kakadu is an experience for the senses. From the sounds of insects chirping and birds twittering to the smells of flowers and other plants, Kakadu presents images that will stay with you long after your trip is over. The forests, mangroves, waterfalls and gorges are among some of the country’s most picturesque and guarantee some fantastic photographic material as well as memories that will be with you for a lifetime.

Fauna and Flora
The plant and animal life in Kakadu is its greatest appeal for many visitors, and those with a particular interest in nature tend to schedule their holidays for the rainy season when the wildlife is at its liveliest. Birds arrive in their millions and fill the trees while for many of the 60 different species of mammal resident in the park, it’s mating season. Visitors can expect a cacophony of sounds. The waterfalls benefit from the rains and are at their most spectacular at this time. Be sure to bring a good set of binoculars for bird and animal watching.

Jim Jim Falls
During the wet season, visitors are assured of some sights of sheer magnificence at what is one of the most popular and arguably most majestic of all the waterfalls in Kakadu. A trek across rocky terrain (900 metres) is required to reach the falls, but all those who make the effort are well rewarded by the awesome natural beauty they are witness to. The falls are located in a scenic setting in the Arnhem Land escarpment and have featured on many high profile TV nature programmes.

Maguk-Barramundie Gorge
An hour outside of Cooinda, the Maguk-Barramundie Gorge is best reached by four-wheel drive on account of an eight mile bumpy stretch of road leading to its origin. After parking, make the one-kilometre walk to the base of the gorge followed by a challenging climb to the top of its waterfall. Once you reach the top, there are some large rock pools with crystal clear water where you can take a soothing dip before taking the time to appreciate the awesome panoramic views on offer from this prime vantage point.

Mamukala Wetlands and Bird Hide
Ideal for dedicated ornithologists and anyone with an interest in the local wildlife, the wetlands and bird hide at Mamukala both offer good opportunities for viewing indigenous bird species. There are a number of hides and those with a serious interest in birdwatching will find time spent patiently inside will deliver some fascinating sights. The thousands of migratory magpie geese that flock to the area in the dry season are especially interesting.

Pine Creek Water Gardens
Another of the park’s highly scenic settings, the Pine Creek Water Gardens promise a shady oasis with abundant lush green trees and plant life, plus natural ponds with beautiful water lilies dotted across their surfaces. There are picnic tables set overlooking the ponds so visitors can enjoy scenic views while relaxing with their lunch. Bird watching opportunities at the gardens are also excellent with the wet and dry seasons each attracting a variety of different species.

Twin Falls
Located in the Arnhem Land escarpment, Twin Falls is unique in that it cannot be reached by road. Instead, visitors are required to take a short boat ride from the Jim Jim Falls to the Twin Falls site. The ride is pleasant and at its conclusion you are rewarded with some awesome sights, not only of the falls themselves but also of the pretty little beach at the bottom of them and the crystal clear waters of the pool into which the waters cascade.

Yellow Water
Another of the parks popular spots for appreciating nature, Yellow Water is in fact one of the best-known billabongs in the country and one of the most famous landmarks in the park. Indigenous animal species including water buffalo, crocodiles, and wild horses regularly come here. Birds are also a notable feature with migratory species including egrets, sea eagles, magpie geese and jacana often seen here. The plant life is equally rich and varied with pandanus and melaleuca trees especially common on the billabong’s banks and white and pink water lilies across its surface in many places. The best way to appreciate Yellow Water is by taking one of the cruises offered by local tour operators.

Check out the Aboriginal rock paintings. Kakadu’s rock paintings are unmissable and an essential part of the park’s rich Aboriginal heritage. Paintings are based on a variety of themes including hunting, religion, sorcery and magic, folklore and everyday existence. The most popular sites within the park are those at Ubirr, Nourlangie and Nanguluwur.

Do a ‘Mick Dundee’. We don’t suggest you try and get up close and personal with members of the local reptile population in the same way that the famous movie character Crocodile Dundee did, but you can get some excellent views of them if you are patient enough when visiting sites such as Yellow Water and East Alligator River (the actual settings for many of the movie’s scenes). Crocodiles are common sights at both locations and others besides, so if you’ve got a good zoom lens on your camera, you are assured of some interesting shots to take home with you.

Get a degree in botany. You’ll feel like a real expert if you get yourself a decent book about the park’s indigenous flora and are able to spot and reel off the Latin names of both common and obscure plant species. The Bowali Visitor Centre is the best place to pick up a book about Kakadu tree and plant life.

Go for a wander in the bush. There are a large number of established walks in the park which can be followed relatively easily by anyone with a good map and a decent pair of boots. Among the most popular routes are the Jim Jim Falls Plunge Pool, Twin Falls Gorge Plateau, Barrk Sandstone, Bardedjilidji, Boulder Creek and the Kurrundie Creek walks. The Bowali Visitor Centre can provide essential details about the walks such as distance, difficulty, terrain-type, and what to see along the way.

Picnic in the park. What could be more atmospheric than breaking out your lunch pack next to a waterfall, billabong or mangrove? Pack a few sandwiches, snacks and soft drinks or get your hotel to make up something a little more luxurious. Either way, with the right setting you are guaranteed a genuinely romantic experience. And if you are holidaying in the park, you can do it all over again tomorrow.

Spend the night under canvas. No trip to Kakadu would be complete without at least one night spent with nothing more than a sheet of canvas between you and the stars. Camping is possible at a variety of sites and is the only way to get a complete experience of the park, with the night presenting sights and sounds that are completely absent during daylight hours.

Take a Kakadu tour. Kakadu can be experienced independently, however, why go to all that effort when you can trust your enjoyment and appreciation of the park to those who know it best? Popular tour companies provide a varied selection of tour options, taking in all of the park’s most popular sights and others that are off the beaten track.