Kakadu

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Revel in the laid-back charm of Darwin, Enjoy a crocodile-spotting cruise, Learn about ancient Aboriginal traditions and cultures, Cool down in...

4 days, from £475 (Group tour). Intrepid Travel »

‘My Kakadu’

I was lucky enough to grown up in Kakadu National Park. There is a very small permanent population made up of those who work for the mine, scientists who monitor the mine and the parks and wildlife service. As a child I had geckos running up and down my walls at night, a seven foot goanna living under our house and one of the kids in my brother's class at school's Dad was eaten by a crocodile.

We weren’t allowed any pets (because it’s a National Park) but used to catch and rear tadpoles and blue tongue lizards. We were lucky enough to be taught at school about the aboriginal land maintenance techniques and about what you should and shouldn’t eat in the bush as well as learning about how the land and it's inhabitants were shaped and formed during the Dreamtime (if you visit make an effort to hear the story of the Rainbow Serpent and the Quinkins at least.).

Kakadu is a mysterious place, some parts of which non-aboriginals need a permit to enter. A lot of it is unchartered territory, full of caves, rocky out crops, still, shimmering wetlands and strange, silent, pressing bush. It can be dangerous but it still seems like a vast exciting playground to me.

5 / 5 Review by editor Kat Mackintosh

‘Kakadu National Park’

'This unique archaeological and ethnological reserve, located in the Northern Territory, has been inhabited continuously for more than 40,000 years. The cave paintings, rock carvings and archaeological sites record the skills and way of life of the region’s inhabitants, from the hunter-gatherers of prehistoric times to the Aboriginal people still living there. It is a unique example of a complex of ecosystems, including tidal flats, floodplains, lowlands and plateaux, and provides a habitat for a wide range of rare or endemic species of plants and animals.'

UNESCO Information on Kakadu National Park

5 / 5 Review by press.

‘Kakadu - from a guides perspective’

Having been involved as professional guide in Kakadu for over a decade, I have observed a few key points for travellers to get the best out of their trip to Kakadu.

1. Kakadu is huge and diverse, give yourself as much time as possible, three days should be minimum, a week or more is better.

2. Take time to do big walks, its the easiest way to avoid tourist crowds. Any walk more than an hour from a carpark you will likely get to yourself

3. Choose the time of year, May-Aug is cooler for bushwalking, Sept-Dec is amazing for wildlife but can be very hot. Dec - Apr is wet season so access is very limited.

4. Make the effort to get involved with Aboriginal culture, there are some great Aboriginal tour businesses now.

5. If you book a commercial tour, choose the longest most remote and most physically active trip you can handle. eg, see www.australianwalkingholidays.com.au

5 / 5 Review by expert member Chris Buykx