What is Kakadu National Park?
Kakadu National Park, east of Darwin, is Australia's largest national park, covering about 19,800 square kilometres. It is World Heritage listed for both its natural and cultural values.
Kakadu stretches from tidal flats on the coast through floodplains and woodlands to the sandstone escarpment of Arnhem Land. Its wetlands support huge numbers of birds, fish and saltwater crocodiles.
The park was first listed as World Heritage in 1981. It holds thousands of rock art sites, some recording tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal life, and is jointly managed with its Bininj and Mungguy Traditional Owners.
Seasons and sights
Bininj people recognise six seasons in Kakadu. Highlights include Ubirr and Burrungkuy rock art, Yellow Water billabong cruises, and waterfalls such as Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls, which are best seen early in the dry season.
Kakadu surrounds the former Ranger uranium mine, which stopped processing ore in 2021 and is being rehabilitated.
The park is about three hours' drive from Darwin. Jabiru is the main town.
Visitors need a park pass, and many roads to remote waterfalls are four-wheel drive only and close in the wet season.
Did You Know?
Kakadu is home to about a third of Australia's bird species.