© Raymond Sherringham- Photographer
Location
Kakadu National Park is situated in the tropics of the Northern Territory, it stretches 19,804 km² over the territory.Kakadu is 240 km east of the northern territories capital, Darwin and 1,331.2 km north of Alice Springs. Its belongs to the latitude 12.2711° S and longitude 132.6731° E. |
http://brookesaustralia.com.au/areas-we-visit/
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Reasons to visit
Kakadu is renowned for its rivers, striking landforms and unique biodiversity. Not that you need specific reasons to visit Kakadu National Park but here are some great ones:
Kakadu is renowned for its rivers, striking landforms and unique biodiversity. Not that you need specific reasons to visit Kakadu National Park but here are some great ones:
© Raymond Sherringham-Photographer
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Aboriginal rock art-Kakadu is home to one of the planets largest concentrations of Aboriginal rock art, some painting date back over 20,000 years. The three of most popular areas to see rock art are Nourlangie where you can see and learn about dreamtime ancestors, Ubirr Rock where you can experience a painting of the Rainbow Serpent and some of the world’s finest examples of X-ray art, and Nanguluwur where there is an artwork of ‘first contact’ depicting the tall ships that initially brought Europeans to their land.
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Jim Jim Falls-Jim Jim Falls has a deep plunge pool perfect for swimming and is fenced by 150 m high cliffs. A steep walk for around 4 hours takes you up to the top of the falls. The only down side of this attraction is that during the dry season it dries up and during the wet season it cant be accessed because of flooding, so the only way to see the falls in full form at this time of year is to take a scenic flight.
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Climate and weather
No matter the time of year you decide to visit Kakadu National Park its always stunning. Kakadu is in the tropics, it has a hot wet winter and a hot dry summer. The dry season in Kakadu runs from May to October. This season is the perfect time to visit. This time of year is the busiest so it’s wise to book your accommodation in advance, as the hotels get fill up quickly at this time of year. The wet season runs in Kakadu from November to April, which brings luscious green landscapes, magnificent flooding, breathtaking afternoon storms and the chance to explore in peace, as there are fewer visitors at this time of year. During this time flooding closes several attractions, but popular areas like the Nourlangie and Yellow Water are still open. Although some may not be accessible via the ground a helicopter can be hired for a scenic tour. The best time to visit Kakadu National Park is from the end of the dry season to the beginning of the wet (September - January ) because at this time all the water ways are at their fullest, the plants are blooming and all the animals are breeding and thriving. |
Flora and Fauna that can be found in Kakadu National Park
A quarter of all Australian freshwater fish species, and over one third of Australian native bird species can be found in Kakadu. It has one of the most diverse and concentrated amount of flora and fauna in Australia.
A quarter of all Australian freshwater fish species, and over one third of Australian native bird species can be found in Kakadu. It has one of the most diverse and concentrated amount of flora and fauna in Australia.
© Raymond Sherringham- Photographer
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Darwin woollybutt (Eucalyptus miniata)
This is a common tree in Kakadu. It has dark woolly bark on the bottom half of the trunk, with smooth white bark on the upper trunk and branches. This tree is a calender tree for the aboriginals - At the start of the cold dry season (May-June) the woollybutt begins to grow spectacular orange flowers. This tells them that it’s time to begin lighting fires to prevent intense wildfires late in the dry season. |
Kapok bush (Aerva javanica)
This is a small native tree that has unique but beautiful yellow flowers, which bloom in the dry season as the plant loses its leaves. The flowers change into green capsules, then harden and become brown. The capsules split open to release a cotton wool-like material called kapok that its seeds are attached too. |
Salt water crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus)
Estuarine (salt water) crocodiles have broader snouts than fresh water crocodiles and grow up to six metres in length. They are most commonly found in tidal rivers, floodplain billabongs and water ways reasonably far inland. Theses famous salt water crocodiles are the kings of Kakadu. The best way to see these amazing creatures is to go on a commercial boat cruise. |
Frilled neck lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii)
Frilled -neck lizards are found mainly in woodlands, living in the treetops for the dry season and emerge after the first rainfall of the wet season. The frilled necks greatest feature and defense mechanism id its frill. The lizard flares out its frill at any sign of danger, making it appear bigger to its predators. Then it escapes while the predator is left startled and confused. |
More about Kakadu National Park
-Almost 20,000 square kilometres - that’s almost half the size of Switzerland.
-The park is jointly managed by its Aboriginal traditional owners and the Northern Territory government.
-Kakadu is one of the only World Heritage Areas that are listed for both their natural and cultural heritage.
-Kakadu is the incorrect pronunciation of an Aboriginal word, Gagudju, which means lingua franca of the people.
-Kakadu National Park contains the largest uranium producing mine in the world, the Ranger Uranium Mines.
-Almost 20,000 square kilometres - that’s almost half the size of Switzerland.
-The park is jointly managed by its Aboriginal traditional owners and the Northern Territory government.
-Kakadu is one of the only World Heritage Areas that are listed for both their natural and cultural heritage.
-Kakadu is the incorrect pronunciation of an Aboriginal word, Gagudju, which means lingua franca of the people.
-Kakadu National Park contains the largest uranium producing mine in the world, the Ranger Uranium Mines.
photo links: Aboriginal rock art- © Raymond Sherringham- Photographer rare flora and fauna- http://kakadunatpark.weebly.com/animals-of-kakadu.html mamukala wetlands- jim jim falls- http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jim_jim_falls.jpg yellow water- http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Oceania/Australia/West/Northern_Territory/Kakadu/photo1134938.htm the termite mounds- © Raymond Sherringham- Photographer darwin woollybutt- © Raymond Sherringham- Photographer kapok bush- https://www.flickr.com/photos/nieminski/5053188969/ salt water crocodile- http://le-monde-est-un-livre.blogspot.com.au/2010_04_01_archive.html