Kakadu National Park, Australia’s amazing wonderland, offers a mesmerizing blend of rugged landscapes, rich cultural heritage and stunning biodiversity. Spread across 20,000 square kilometres, it is a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers. From ancient rock art sites and cascading waterfalls to diverse wildlife and breathtaking escarpments, Kakadu promises an unforgettable experience. Immerse yourself in its pristine beauty and explore a paradise where nature reigns supreme.
The modern, mindful traveler seeks “indulgence” that distances them from materialistic pursuits, instead choosing the thrill of exploring the untouched and rugged corners of the earth and immersing themselves in the raw beauty and extremes of nature. Located in Australia’s largely unexplored Northern Territory, just 150km from the bustling city of Darwin, Kakadu National Park offers the chance to experience solitude, peace and a profound connection to the land’s ancient history. Its remote location makes it feel almost otherworldly!
Awarded dual World Heritage status by UNESCO for its exceptional natural and cultural significance, the vast 20,000 square kilometer Kakadu National Park overwhelms visitors with its rich ecology and biological diversity. Discover hidden swimming holes amid dense forests, stunning gorges, dramatic sandstone slopes, vast savannah woodlands dotted with towering termite mounds, and hills and ridges formed by millions of years of erosion. The park’s wetlands offer a dynamic array of landscapes. Wildlife is abundant, and it doesn’t have to be hard to find. Kakadu’s diverse ecosystems are home to rare and endemic plants and animals, including 290 bird species, 68 land mammals, countless insects, and a variety of reptiles, frogs, and fish. Be prepared for unexpected encounters with free-roaming dingoes, antilopine kangaroos, black wallaroos, and agile wallabies. And, as a reminder, crocodile warning signs are found throughout the park.
What makes Kakadu’s extraordinary wilderness even more significant is that it is home to the world’s oldest continuing culture. The Bininj/Munggui Aboriginal people have lived in the region for more than 65,000 years, dating back long before the last ice age. While their way of life has evolved, their languages, core beliefs and customs passed down through the generations remain preserved, linking the land to an ancient cultural heritage that still thrives.
Covering an area less than half the size of Switzerland, Kakadu seems vast and endless, making it challenging to choose where to start your adventure and which sights are a must-see. We decided on a custom luxury guided tour with Venture North Safaris, departing from Darwin (Kakadu’s closest international airport) in a luxurious 4WD with a trailer. After all, nothing compares to the freedom of the open road.
Video By YouTube channel Into the Wild Films
Gold rush history and eccentric architecture in Pine Creek
Nestled along the Stuart Highway, the charming town of Pine Creek is rich in history and character. It was founded in 1870 after gold was discovered in nearby Yam Creek by workers drilling holes for the Overland Telegraph. The Enterprise Pit Lookout offers sweeping views of an open pit mine, now filled with deep blue water to a depth of 135 metres. During the gold mine’s 10-year operation, 764,000 ounces of gold were extracted.
For design enthusiasts, Pine Creek offers a glimpse into its past with original bush-style architecture, including an iron-shed bakery that operated until World War II. If you’re in the mood for a drink, visit the Lazy Lizard, a rustic inn made of termite mound mud bricks. Behind the inn, you’ll find a classic auto and memorabilia collection worth seeing.
A helpful tip: Pine Creek is also an excellent spot for bird-watching, especially around the trees laden with bats hanging upside down.
Bush walk and waterfall bath
Hidden in the heart of the tropical “nowhere”, Lower Ikoyamarwa Falls, also known as Molin Rock Hole, has crystal-clear waters that are ideal for swimming with small fish, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a waradjaan (pig-nosed turtle). After enjoying the serene beauty of the falls, we head back to the peaceful car park where our guide, David McMahon – a former chef – prepares a thoughtfully prepared, sumptuous picnic lunch, allowing us to enjoy the moment in peace.
The next stop on our itinerary is a visit to the Bukbukluk Lookout, where we get spectacular 360-degree views of the lush, emerald-like mountains and a close-up look at the vibrant flora. As we leisurely strolled along on this therapeutic journey, our guide McMahon drew our attention to a magnificent Eucalyptus miniata. Known for its flame-red flowers, this tree blooms during the Yeke season (May-June), signaling to the Bininj people that it is time to clear the forest and promote regeneration of vegetation by setting controlled, small fires. This centuries-old tribal tradition not only holds cultural significance, but also offers a stunning and unique look into the landscape.
Video By YouTube channel ParksAustralia
Rock art sites – Kakadu’s natural art galleries
For centuries, the Bininj/Munggui people have spent their time decorating the walls of caves and rock shelters using natural pigments such as red iron oxide, as well as feathers, reeds and even human hair as brushes. Take a few hours to explore the caves and gorges of Ubirr and Burungkuy (Noorlungi), where you will find some of the oldest known artworks in human history. Traditional X-ray art, with its depictions of human figures and animal species, provides deep insight into the Bininj’s cultural identity, social structures and their practices of hunting and gathering.
Insider tip: Aboriginal people continue to tell their stories through art, now typically created on bark, paper, cloth or canvas using natural colours such as red, ochre, black and white. An authentic piece of Aboriginal artwork purchased from an ethical cultural centre becomes a treasured and meaningful souvenir.
The taste of Kakadu Bush Tucker
Aboriginal Australians have long thrived off the land and Kakadu is no exception, offering a bountiful harvest of edible treasures. However, to truly experience the flavours of the bush, it’s important to know where to forage and what to avoid. Try some of the main indigenous flavours, such as the red bush apple, blackcurrant and native fruits like waterlily, whose stem tastes like celery. One great native fruit you’ll find everywhere is the an-morlak (Kakadu plum). This small, tart superfood from the Northern Territory is becoming increasingly popular in the culinary world, appearing in everything from cocktails, jams and sauces to ice cream, as well as skin and hair products.
Gunganj (meat) and jenny (fish) in Kakadu come in a variety of tempting varieties, reflecting the unique flavours of the region. For those seeking adventure, there’s the opportunity to sample ginga (crocodile) meat, which pairs well with hearty steaks and stews made from gamely water buffalo. You can also try kangaroo sausage, prized for their rich fat, and file snakes and magpie geese, often slow-cooked under hot coals. Other unusual but delicious options include pig-nosed turtles flavoured with silver leaf paperbark trees and freshwater mussels, which can be found buried in the mud of dried-up creeks. These local delicacies offer an authentic taste of Kakadu’s wild food heritage.
Insider tip: For a unique culinary experience, visit Mimi’s Restaurant at Cooinda Lodge where you can taste the wild-caught barramundi crudo, a dish that features marinated raw barramundi served with Kakadu plum gel and macadamia cream. Also, try Seven Seasons Green Ant Cooinda’s Kaffir Lime, a refreshing gin and tonic infused with green ants. “When you squeeze the belly of a green ant, it releases a fluid that tastes like lemon with a hint of coriander seeds. It’s surprisingly tart and adds an unexpected punch to the drink,” the guide shared. This fascinating combination of flavors offers a true taste of the region’s wild, local ingredients.
Glamping at Yellow Water Villas in Cooinda
After a day of exploring Kakadu’s rugged beauty, relaxing in Cooinda Lodge’s new Yellow Water Villas makes for the perfect retreat. These spacious, luxuriously furnished canvas tents offer a blend of sustainable luxury and modern comforts, whilst having a minimal impact on the surrounding land and trees. Elevated on stilts, each tent is named after a Kakadu animal and features air-conditioning, a charming kitchenette, an en-suite bathroom and a large deck with both a barbecue and bathtub, providing a truly unique outdoor experience. The decor is inspired by indigenous art, with locally made cushions, throws and rugs adding a cultural touch. A small library is also available for those looking to immerse themselves in the region’s rich history.
Insider tip:Cooinda, located in Murrumburra Country (55km from Jabiru, the only town in Kakadu National Park), is owned by the local Indigenous community. The lodge offers easy access to many of Kakadu’s major attractions, including the famous Yellow Water Cruises, the Waradjan Cultural Centre and the breathtaking Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls, making it the perfect base for exploring the natural and cultural wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Yellow Water Billabong Cruise – Encounter with Kakadu’s crocs, birds and waterlilies
Kakadu is home to more than 10,000 crocodiles, including both freshwater and the dangerous saltwater crocodiles, known as “salties”. An exciting way to see these ancient reptiles is to take an Aboriginal-operated boat cruise through the Yellow Water Billabong. Departing from Cooinda, the cruise passes through the different ecosystems of the South Alligator River system, known locally as Ngurungurrudjba (Yellow Water). The area is rich in natural beauty, with paperbark forests, pandanus trees and freshwater mangroves that create a sanctuary for brumbies, buffalo and an incredible range of birds, including kingfishers, whistling ducks, magpie geese, jacanas, egrets, jabirus and majestic eagles.
Why is Kakadu National Park so famous?
The park is a living cultural landscape. Kakadu’s archaeological sites preserve thousands of years of the skills and lifestyles of Aboriginal people. The rock art found here chronicles Aboriginal creation stories and is one of the longest-running continuous historical records of any people worldwide.
What is interesting about Kakadu?
Kakadu is a sanctuary for a variety of plants and animals, including some endangered species that are found exclusively within the park. It is home to 53 species of fish, 170 species of plants, and 280 species of birds. Remarkably, one-third of all bird species in Australia can be found in Kakadu National Park.
