Kakadu National Park In Australia: How To Avoid The Tourist
Crowds
Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory is without doubt
one of the most popular tourist attractions in Australia. It is
a must see for anyone traveling to Australia's tropical regions.
Nowhere else in northern Australia will you be able to gain the
same appreciation and understanding of tropical habitats, see as
much wildlife, learn about Aboriginal culture, see ancient rock
art, climb and swim at spectacular waterfalls and, and, and...
- Almost 20,000 square kilometres (3.2 million acres) in size -
the same size as Denmark or Ireland! - the park is the only one
in the world to protect the entire catchment area of a major
river system, the South Alligator River.
- The habitats range from the high stone plateau to forest
woodland, from monsoon rainforest to open savannah-like flood
plains dotted with billabongs, from mangrove-fringed estuaries
to the coastal beaches of the Arafura Sea.
- As a result of the diversity of habitats the park contains
over 1000 plant species, a quarter of all the freshwater fish
species found in Australia, and over one-third of all the bird
species. Add reptiles, mammals, amphibians, and thousands of
insect species... a reminder that the tropics really are the
breeding ground for the whole planet.
- Aborigines have lived in Kakadu for at least 25,000 years
(perhaps as long as 50,000 years), the longest continuous
surviving human culture in the world. The park is one of the few
World Heritage sites to be listed for both natural and cultural
reasons. Kakadu is a treasure chest of exceptional galleries of
Aboriginal art, some dating back to the Ice Age.
But Kakadu's popularity has one draw back: 200,000 visitors a
year, all visiting the same attractions at the same time, don't
add to the experience of "untouched wilderness"...
If you would like to experience the wonders of Kakadu National
Park, but want to escape the tourism circus that surrounds it,
follow the tips laid out below:
1. Choose the right time to visit Kakadu National Park.
It is accepted wisdom that the middle of the dry season, from
June to August, is the best time to visit Kakadu. This is the
time of the year with the most pleasant temperatures, and by far
the most tourists. Avoid the biggest crowds by scheduling your
trip earlier or later. It might be a bit warmer in May or
September, but heck, that's what the beautiful waterfalls and
rock pools are there for.
2. Choose the right areas within Kakadu National Park.
Most tourists enter Kakadu through the northern entrance, the
one closest to Darwin. Be different. Instead of turning left
just suth of Darwin onto the Arnhem Highway, continue on to Pine
Creek, and turn left there. The Kakadu Highway leads to the
southern entrance, which is located only 60 km from the main
highway. Many of Kakadu's most beautiful waterfalls, like Maguk
and Gunlom Falls, can easily be reached from there. And many
people who choose the northern entrance never make it that far.
3. Choose the right vehicle for your trip. Kakadu's
network of bitumen and gravel roads is fantastic and well
maintained. Still, there are several tracks that are accessible
by four wheel drive only. Hiring a four wheel drive vehicle
greatly increases your reach within Kakadu National Park, and
allows you to leave the other tourists behind.
4. Do you like camping? Kakadu offers some of the best
camping facilities of all Australian national parks. Therefore
the managed camp sites, the ones that offer a generator area and
a proper bathroom with hot water, fill up quickly. However,
there are many bush camping sites that are well maintained, too.
And usually they are only accessible by four wheel drive. See
point three, and be willing to rough it a bit. As a reward you
will wake up to bird songs rather than your neighbour's blaring
stereo.
5. Do you like walking? Kakadu also offers an extensive
network of walking tracks. You can choose from short half hour
walks, to full day or even over night trips, and everything in
between. The longer the walk, the less people you will meet and
the more different habitats, flora and wildlife you will see.
To sum it up: to get away from the tourist masses visit Kakadu
National Park in the shoulder season, take your four wheel drive
to the southern parts of the park, and be willing to exchange
ultimate comfort for the ultimate nature experience. You will
treasure the memories of your visit for the rest of your life.
You can find more helpful information about Kakadu National Park on
the author's website.