It’s Australia’s biggest national park, and there’s so much to discover! We love a Kakadu camping trip – but if you’re looking for something a little more lush – we’ve got you covered with our Kakadu in style suggestions.
Kakadu is home to rugged escarpments, waterfalls, wildlife and rock art galleries. You have the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal culture from the Bininj/Mungguy people, in any of Kakadu’s six traditional seasons.
To experience Kakadu in style, we recommend:
Catching the sunrise
Kakadu is at its best at sunrise and sunset – we promise! We LOVE the Kakadu Tourism Yellow Water Cruise at sunrise – the wildlife are waking up and moving around at this time, and there’s just something about being on the water first thing in the morning. You can see Ginga (crocodiles) some of the huge range of birds that live on the wetlands, maybe even a buffalo if you’re lucky!
See Aboriginal Art and learn about the culture
Rock Art
Join a guided tour by Kakadu National Park rangers, or by local guides such as Victor from Ayal Aboriginal Tours, and check out some of the amazing rock art galleries at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie). If you’re there in the morning or the afternoon (the heat of the day can be a bit hot) head up to the lookouts too – looking over the escarpment is spectacular!
Galleries
There’s also a couple of fantastic indoor art galleries to check out while you’re in town – and we absolutely recommend popping into Marrawuddi in Jabiru for a great barista made coffee while you check out the current exhibition! Sometimes you can see the artists at work there too.
Cultural Centres
The Warradjan Cultural Centre, right near Cooinda, tells the story of Kakadu’s Traditional Owners via interactive displays and exhibits which are a great learning tool during your visit to Kakadu. There’s also a shop to check out too with local arts, crafts and books.
See a waterfall
Dry Season
There’s plenty to choose from in the Dry – if you’re after something spectacular, pack appropriately and take on the climb to the top of Jim Jim falls – it’s unparalleled for the view. If a shorter walk is more your style, Maguk is the perfect blend of little nature walk and big spectacular waterfall.
Wet Season
We love the Yurmikmik walks – a lovely wet season waterfall walk that gives you the option of a short walk to Boulder Creek, a slightly longer walk to Motorcar falls or a trek to Kurrundie falls!
Fly over
We said ‘in style‘ – so if trekking into a waterfall or wild swimming isn’t your thing (but we still think you should try it) – you should definitely fly over them!!
This is an especially good option if you’re in Kakadu in the early months of the year, the waterfalls will be in full flow – and a scenic flight over JimJim falls with Kakadu Air will blow your mind!
Catch the sunset
Remember when we said Kakadu is at its best at Sunrise and Sunset? There’s a couple of options for sunset – if you didn’t manage an early Yellow Water Cruise, the sunset one is also equally spectacular! But make sure you also get to Ubirr at least once, it’s a short walk and a few little steps up, but the sunset over the plains is awe inspiring. Go slightly early, so you can take in the rock art and stories along the walk in.
Stay
If you’ve got a couple of days, it makes sense to spread them out across Jabiru and Cooinda so that you’re in the right places for Sunrise and Sunset – so keep that in mind when planning your itinerary! (Do you need Itinerary planning help?? Check this out)
But in very exciting news – while we are talking FANCY – Aboriginal Owned Cooinda Lodge have just launched their Yellow Water Villa’s – five luxury retreats in the heart of Kakadu National Park, right next to the Yellow Water Billabong. We love that the Villas are built on stilts to minimise any impact to the land, and while the placement may seem at random when you arrive – they were actually placed very specifically, in consultation with the Traditional Owners, so that not one tree was cut down to accommodate them.
These things are LUXE! They’re fully furnished and air-conditioned, and include a kitchen area, ensuite bathroom and a lounge area with daybeds / beds for the kids – but it’s the bathtub on the verandah that does it for us!
And if your budget is slightly less – the air-conditioned and furnished Outback Retreat tents are just across the road, or you can book a lodge room at Cooinda too!
We’d love you to tell us your favourite parts of Kakadu! Get in touch on tips@wearelocals.com.au – and for more local’s tips, follow us on socials!