TRAVEL FACTS GETTING THERE GETTING AROUND
From the south, Kakadu is 150 km from Katherine, via the Stuart and Kakadu Highways. Most people come from Darwin though (that’s the closest airport), which is also around 150 km from the edge of the park, via the Arnhem Highway. Both roads are sealed. Most tours will pick you up from your Kakadu accommodation, although having your own set of wheels gives you the freedom to get to secret sunset spots like Nawurlandja Lookout, near Nourlangie.
The main roads in Kakadu (those that are open in the wet season) are sealed. Inspiring Journeys has a selection of tours that include Kakadu, including the new Ultimate Northern Territory Adventure in Style.
inspiringjourneys.com WHEN TO GO
Kakadu is open all year, and is most popular in the dry season May to November, but we’re recommending travel in the wet — or green — season. The waterfalls are most spectacular during February and March.
WHERE TO STAY
The famous crocodile-shaped inn, the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, is in the middle of Jabiru and is a very comfortable four-star hotel with all the mod cons. Sister property Cooinda Lodge has family friendly motel-style units set in resort gardens with a pool. kakadutourism.com
WHERE TO EAT
Both hotels have licensed restaurants. Don’t go home without trying the lemon myrtle beer-battered local barramundi, dukkha-dusted kangaroo fillet and Gunbalanya beef — grown in west Arnhem Land with a distinctive flavour thanks to the cattles’ wetlands diet — at the Escarpment Restaurant in the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel.
THINGS TO DO
• See rock art at Nourlangie and Ubirr or take a guided tour and walk with an indigenous guide:
ayalkakadu.com.au
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Cruise Yellow Water Billabong at sunrise or sunset:
kakadutourism.com
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Join a Guluyambi Cultural Cruise:
kakaduculturaltours.com.au
• Take a helicopter flight over the waterfalls with North Australian Helicopters: northaustralianhelicopters.com.au FURTHER INFORMATION
• Parks Australia: parksaustralia.gov.au
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Inspiring Journeys: inspiringjourneys.com
• Kakadu Tourism: kakadutourism.com
• Do the NT: northernterritory.com