Kakadu National Park is a wonderland of ancient rock paintings, tumbling waterfalls and sandstone escarpments. It occupies more than 20,000 square kilometres and boasts incredible biodiversity, with the chance to spot rock wallabies, saltwater crocodiles and flatback turtles.
Start your visit with a trip to the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. It spotlights the rich culture and heritage of the Bininj and Mungguy people, the traditional custodians of the land. Inside you can learn about Creation and Dreaming stories. The centre also displays handmade Indigenous Australian items, including clap sticks, spears, woven baskets and didgeridoos.
Ubirr is one of the park's most visited rock art sites, with some paintings around 15,000 years old. The nearby Nardab lookout is a stunning place to watch the sun set over the floodplain. Cool off in the crystalline waters of Maguk, a natural pool at the foot of a cascading waterfall. Access is via a two-kilometre trail through a lush forest.
Getting there
Kakadu National Park is in the Northern Territory, a two-hour drive from Darwin’s city centre and Darwin International Airport. Katherine is a two-hour drive south. You can also fly into Alice Springs and drive up the Red Centre Way, a popular 1300-kilometre road trip.