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Kakadu
National Park - Visitors Tourist Information Guide
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| This site is
for theclients booked with Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals
for their selfdrive route planning. Please read our terms
conditions before continuing. |
| A Kakadu National
Park tourist travel information guide, visiting and staying
in Kakadu, around and about Kakadu National Park with
tropical Darwin the capital of Northern Territory Australia
just 253klm away. If
travelling by road, you should allow 3 hours travelling
time from Darwin. Maps
of the road to Kakadu and of Kakadu National Park.
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Kakadu
National Park an Australian Natural Icon covers
almost 20,000 square kms and is 257 kms East of
Darwin the capital city of the Northern Territory,
Australia.
Kakadu
National Park is a World Heritage listed area
that has been listed for it's cultural and natural
heritage and Kakadu is the largest terrestrial
national park in Australia.
Life
in the park does depends on the water, also in
respect to the tropical monsoon climate that produces
the downpours of the tropical humidity of the
"wet" season, and the milder weather of the "dry"
season.
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| Kakadu
National Park is the gateway to Arnhemland. The
sealed roads from Darwin to Kakadu is via the Arnhem
Highway and from Katherine to Kakadu National Park
via the Kakadu Highway. The Bowali Visitor Centre
near Jabiru in Kakadu National Park is located 257
km from Darwin in Northern Territory Australia via
the Arnhem Highway entrance. |
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Where
is Kakadu National Park
Driving
along the Arnhem highway from Darwin to Kakadu
- a full blog with great photos and a real
way to get the feels of the road. Kakadu
is the second largest national park in the world
and and is home to approximate number of species:
Mammals: 62, Reptiles: 123+, Birds: 280, Freshwater
Fish: 51, Insects: 10,000, Frogs: 25, Plants:
1,275. (many are rare and occur only in Kakadu).
For
enquiries to the Kakadu National Park HQ please
telephone
Kakadu National Park - PO Box 71 Jabiru Northern
Territory 0886 Australia
Tel +61 (0)8 8938 1100 or HQ 08 89381120
Kakadu
park use fee - From April 2010
Kakadu National Park will re-introduce a park
use fee from April 2010, to help manage the natural
and cultural values of the park environment and
improve visitor services. The $25 fee (which is
inclusive of GST) will apply to all interstate
and international visitors aged 16 years and over.
All Northern Territory residents and children
under 16 will be exempt. Tickets and more information
will be available on the Kakadu website www.kakadu.com.au
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 Roads
to Kakadu National Park:
Road conditions in the Park vary according to the two
seasons being the Green 'Wet' season or Dry season.
Widespread Green 'Wet' season flooding occured historically
and frequently during November to April there nowdays
the seasons have changed signifciantly. Therefore you
should check the road conditions well before your departure
. Up-to-the-moment road reports can be obtained from
the Bowali Visitor Centre (Telephone +61 (0) 8 8938
1120). The Arnhem and Kakadu Highways are sealed and
generally remain open throughout the year. Green 'Wet'
season flooding associated with any prolonged heavy
rains may have various locational temporary closures.
About
the World Heritage Kakadu National Park
We here also provide
helpful tips on Kakadu National Park and what to see
and activities available, visitor safety, park camping
and accommodation facilities, emergency contacts and
useful Kakadu Parks information.
If time allows, we advise
you stay in the park for a 2-5 days so that the major
sites can be explored at your leisure. Kakadu National
Park can be visited selfdrive a 2 wheel drive vehicle
such as a car, camper, 4WD or even a large motorhome
though access is limited to the Kakadu Highway and the
Arnhem Highway. Ubirr, Yellow Waters, Jabiru and Nourlangie
Rock being main the extent of where you can visit a
2 wheel drive vehicle. Currently about 200,000+ folks
visit Kakadu National Park each year. Visitor numbers
are higher during the dry season months of June to September
(approx. 33,000 people visit each July) and lower during
the wet season months (approx. 7,000 people visit each
January).
Select one of the following
regions to access maps and information on the area below:
Road
conditions and directions to Kakadu National Park from
Darwin
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 Along
the Arnhem Highway to Kakadu National Park you can take
a number of cruises from the Adelaide River to see the
crocodiles litterally jump out of the water for a tasty
snack. From large boats to the small cruises such as
the Adelaide River Cruises. Or pull over at the Bark
Hutt Inn and aquaint yourself with true outback favour
of this bush pub and tourist spot. Then you can stop
by the numerous towering cathedral termite mounds that
abound along the road.
You can
drive yourself in a self-drive 2WD car, 4WD Camper,
4 Wheel Drive Car or even a RV Motorhome rental. There
is a scheduled
Kakadu tour to suit every budget and need. if not
then create your own personalized private tour. Wheelchair
access
Kakadu
camping or accommodated tours such as a 4WD adventure
safari is an excellent choice to get the best of kakadu
in short time such as a 3 day tour. A tour really lets
you experience what Kakadu National Park has to offer
if you enjoy adventure. Tours have been developed over
the years to offer you excellent value and take the
worry of you when organsing what to see and do in kakadu.
In other words let the expects help you.
There
are a number of campgrounds in and just out of Kakadu
National Park. Commercially operated camping areas with
power sites are available at the Kakadu Resort, Kakadu
Lodge and Caravan Park and the Gagudju Lodge Cooinda.
Other major park camping areas suitable for more sizable
groups are Merl, Muirella Park, Mardugal and Gunlom.
These camping areas all have solar heated showers, toilets
and washing tub facilities.Camping areas are divided
into 'generator' and 'non-generator' zones. Specific
camping grounds in the park allocate areas of their
park exclusively for camping tour operators. Free
bush camping areas are located throughout the park.
Facilities at these sites are basic or non existent.
Some have what is called minimal camping facilities.
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Camping
Tours and Safaris to Kakadu National Park
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Camping
Tours and Safaris to Kakadu National Park in Northern
Territory Australia
There
are numerous tour companies offering Camping
Tours and Safaris to Kakadu National Park
from Darwin in the Northern Territory that depart
daily or have scheduled tours and private tours.
Camping tours are often called Camping Safaris
or Camping Tours often indicating the same type
of tour components.
 Tours
can range from one day to a week and can be budget
(which can vary from shared kitchen facilities,
toilet and shower) or local luxury accommodated
tours with a ensuite, TV, airconditionaing and
coffee and tea facility.
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Scheduled
Tours - are tours that leave on a daily,
or nominated days of the week or weekly scheduled
departure. All tours require a minimum number
of passengers to commence and in peak season
this never seems to be a concern. They are
all guided with a tour driver who is also
the guide and cook. Group particpation is
part of the fun and getting to know the other
travellers in your tour. |
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Guided
Tours - Camping tours from Darwin have
accredited guides as the Northern Territory
Parks authority is very strigent on guides.
Northern territory has a high calibre of guides
who have excellent local knowledge of cultural
significance, history, flora and fauna. Usually
you fing a guide may have a hobby and be a
local expert in a particular field like flora,
bush medicine plants, birds, retiles or Aboriginal
Culture which makes the tour that little bit
more interesting. |
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Scheduled
Tours with Semi Permanent Tents and Camps
- Tours can range from one day to a week and
can be camping and sleeping in budget twin
or quad share permanent or semi permanant
tents. Semi permanent tents are usually smaller
2 to 3 person dome tents you have to help
erect your self. There
generally is permanent cooking facilities
and purpose-built fire pits, screened eating
areas, share showers and toilets. |
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Scheduled
Tours with Safari in Style Camping Tents
- Then you also have the local class of 'Safari
in Style' tents which are tents usually with
a metal frame bed and fan and very roomy.
There
generally is permanent cooking facilities
and purpose-built fire pits, screened eating
areas, share showers and toilets. |
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Scheduled
Tours with Swags and Bushcamping - Then
there are those tours that prefer to sleep
under the stars in swags (Aussie bedroll),
this is called generally Bush Camping - no
facilities other than those that are carried
on the vehicle. Toilet stops are always on
the agenda of course. Some camps have share
showers and toilets. |
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Scheduled
Backpacker Tours - One tends to see this
word 'Backpacker' used very sparingly lately
in the tour industry. To me a backpacker tour
is nowdays a budget minded camping or accommodated
tour a fun component included in the itinerary.
These tours historically have targeted the
ages of 18-35's though nodays it's creeping
up to early 40's and as long as your fit and
agile with a happy outlook your welcomed with
most 'Backpacker Tours'. There is the odd
tour operator who recommends the age guidleine
to 18-35 and these are easy to see looking
for a tour. |
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Private
Tours also known as Customized Tours, Personalised
Safari, Personalized Tours, Chartered Tours
and Exclusive Tours, - If you have specific
points of interest the tour operator and even
the guides on route can personally create
a Tour to suit your individual requirements.
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Hosted
and Guided Tours - Usually part of a scheduled
guided tour that also has the driver and a
second person being the host/guide as well. |
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2WD Coaster
Buses, 2WD Coach Touring Vehicles -
used by Tour operators to Kakadu National
Park. There
are 2WD Coaster Bus tours which carry up
to 16-22 passengers.
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2WD
Coaches -Then
there are also the larger 38-45 seat coaches
with and without onboard cassette toilets.
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4WD
- 4 Wheel Drive Touring Vehicles to Kakadu
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There
are the different 3 main types of 4WD (4
Wheel Drive) tours.
The first which carry 9 Passengers in a
Troopcarrier (3 in the front and 8 in the
back on 2 bench seats that are side facing
each other).
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The
second is the larger front facing seated 4WD
such as the Oka's, Canters,
Mitsubishi or Isuzu - 16, 17 or 20
seats front facing air-conditioned vehicle.
These
tend to have spacious cabs with ample legroom
and forward facing seats for increased comfort
and a better view for greater appreciation
of the scenery. |
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The
third is the luxury Prado or Landcruiser being
5 or 8 front facing seat vehicles |
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Selfdrive
4WD, Camper, Motorhome, RV hire and rentals through
Kakadu
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Darwin
with an population of 120,000 is approximately
4050km from Sydney, 3500km from Brisbane, 3200km
from Adelaide, 4500km from Perth and 1482km from
Alice Springs. Due to such long driving distances,
it is sometimes not practical for international
visitors to drive to Darwin from other state capital
cities with time permitting. The drive between
Darwin and Alice Springs does however contain
a number of interesting and unique sights for
visitors to enjoy.
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As
a result, many international visitors hire
or rent recreational '4WD' 4 Wheel Drives,
Campers, RV's, Motor Homes and Camper Vans
to explore the Northern Territory of the Top
End and Central Australia. |
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The
4 Wheel Drive recognised tracks with camp
sites are: 4 Mile Hole, 2 Mile Hole, Bucket
Billabong, Alligator Billabong Sandy Billabong,
Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls, Red Lily Billabong,
Maguk (Barramundi Gorge), Koolpin Gorge and
Graveside Gorge (Graveside Gorge 4
Wheel Drive recognised track requires additional
permit, bookings are required, with experienced
4WD only) |
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The third
is the luxury Prado or Landcruiser being
5 or 8 front facing seat vehicles
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Accommodated
Cabin or Hotel Tours to Kakadu National Park
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Accommodated
at Jabiru and Cooinda in Kakadu National Park
Accommodation
in and just out of Kakadu National Park offers
a range of accommodation types, from three-star
hotels to camping areas with no facilities.
Commercial
hotel or motel-style accommodation in or near
Kakadu National Park
Commercial
hotel or motel-style accommodation
in or near Kakadu National Park - is available
at the Kakadu Resort (South Alligator), Gagudju
Crocodile Holiday Inn (Jabiru) and Gagudju Lodge
Cooinda.
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Gagudju
Crocodile Holiday Inn - Located in the Jabiru
Area of Kakadu, the Gagudju Crocodile Holiday
Inn is a is a 3 ½ star property built in the
shape of a crocodile. |
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Gagudju
Crocodile Holiday Inn - Located in the Jabiru
Area of Kakadu, the Gagudju Crocodile Holiday
Inn is a is a 3 ½ star property built in the
shape of a crocodile. |
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Kakadu
Resort (South Alligator) - Aurora Kakadu -
in the Kakadu Wetlands - Located in the South
Alligator Area of Kakadu, the Aurora Kakadu
is a 3 ½ star property, offering 138 units
which include private patios or balconies,
air conditioning, colour television, refrigerator
and tea and coffee making facilities. |
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Budget
accommodation
in or near Kakadu National Park
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Budget
accommodation
in or near Kakadu National Park - is available
at the Kakadu Lodge and Caravan Park (Jabiru)
and the Gagudju Lodge Cooinda - affiliated with
the Youth Hotel Association (YHA).
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Lakeview
Park Kakadu - Located in the Jabiru Area of
Kakadu, the Lakeview Park Kakadu offers unique
accommodation designed by award winning Troppo
Architects for the climate and experience
of Kakadu. Lakeview Park Kakadu is ideal for
families and groups as well as business people
and backpackers. |
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Kakadu
Lodge - Also located in the Jabiru Area of
Kakadu, Kakadu Lodge is situated on the fringe
of the Jabiru township and is central to many
of the attractions of the Park. |
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Gagudju
Lodge Cooinda - Located in the Yellow Water
Area of Kakadu, the Gagudju Cooinda Lodge
is a is a 2 ½ star property situated on the
Yellow Waters Billabong. |
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Kakadu
National Park - Seasons
But Australia's Kakadu
sees seasons of varied extremes -- so varied, in fact,
that the park's longtime aboriginal inhabitants have
divided the year into six distinct seasons.
• Kakadu
Seasons - Gunumeleng Pre-Monsoon Storm Season -
Gunumeleng, from mid-October to late December, may in
fact last from a few weeks to several months.
• Kakadu
Seasons - Gudjewg - Monsoon Season - Gudjewg, from
January to March, can be described as the 'true' wet
season.
• Kakadu
Seasons - Banggereng - Knock 'em down storm Season
- Banggerreng, in April, is the season when the rain
clouds have dispersed and clear skies prevail.
• Kakadu
Seasons - Yegge - Cooler but still humid Season
- Yegge, from May to mid-June, is relatively cool with
low humidity.
• Kakadu
Seasons - Wurrgeng - Cold Weather Season - Wurrgeng,
from mid-June to mid-August, is the 'cold weather' time;
humidity is low, daytime temperatures are around 30°C
and night-time temperatures are around 17°C.
• Kakadu
Seasons - Gurrung - Hot Dry Weather - Gurrung, from
mid-August to mid-October, is hot and dry.
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Adds
by Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals
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Opening hours of Kakadu
National Park
Kakadu National Park
is open 365 days per year. Given the large size of Kakadu
there are a number of key attractions that have different
operating hours these are:
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Bowali Visitor Centre
- is open from 8am to 5pm.
* Warradjan Aboriginal
Cultural Centre - is open from 9am to 5pm.
* Ubirr Rock - is open
from 8:30am until sunset from 1 April until 30 November
* Ubirr Rock - is also
open from 2pm until sunset from 1 December until
31 March.
* Nourlangie Rock - is
open from dawn until dusk.
All of the attractions
are open every day of the year and all times are Central
Standard Time. These are based on the season 2006/7.
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Goholi Pty Ltd
Postal: GPO Box 380, Darwin, NT 0801
Email: goholi@bigpond.com
www.kakadunationalaprkaustralia.com
has affliation with the following links
• http://www.australia4tours.com
• http://www.kakadu-tours.com
• http://www.australia4wheeldriverentals.com
• http://www.australia4wdrentals.com
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 www.kakadunationalparkaustralia.com
is part of the specialist for selfdrive leisure vehicle
rentals and tour specialist including camping and accommodated
one day or extended tours and safaris from the group of
Goholi groop being an experienced respected licensed Travel
Agent in Darwin, Northern Terriotry Australia (Tel +61
8 89453338). Why come to us - Let us try to get you a
discount off the recommended rates with professional and
experienced service. www.kakadunationalparkaustralia.com
is an 'Affiliate'
of the Australia 4 Wheel Drive Rentals group of sites.
A licensed Australian Travel Agent based in Northern Territory
Australia. |
| Australian
Tour Information - Mission Statement
Please note some of these
links are supplied only as a link for information our
company has no affliation some of these links. Important;
This site is for the beneift of those researching for
their next vacation to Kakadu National Park in Northern
Territory Australia also know as the 'Top End'.
Australian Kakadu National
Park travel guide and information is not the offical
site - the offical government site is http://www.kakadu.com.au.
This search site offering links to Kakadu, Litchfield,
Uluru, Darwin and Northern Territory accommodations,
tours, safaris, activities, nature parks, nature reserves
and adventure activities.
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