East Alligator Region in Kakadu National Park Northern Territory Australia

Main Attractions: Ubirr

Where:

Turn north off the Arnhem Highway 1km west of the Kakadu Highway intersection and travel a further 39km.

Features:

Opening times: 08.30am until sunset, April 1 till November 30.

Opening times: Also from 14.00pm until sunset December 1 to March 31

Talks:

During the dry season, rangers provide informative talks about Aboriginal art and culture several times a day.

Important Note: The Traditional Owners of Kakadu National Park in Northern Territory Australia request that you don't drink alcohol at Ubirr.

East Alligator River

Where:

Just east of the Merl Camping Area and the Border Store. (Check wet season access)

Features:

An attractive tidal river which forms the boundary between Kakadu and Arnhem Land.

Boat Tours:

A commercial boat cruise departs from the upstream boat ramp, its shuttle bus service leaves from the Border Store. Guides explain aspects of local Aboriginal culture while you travel slowly along the East Alligator River. Bookings are required

Boat ramps:

Are located upstream and downstream of Cahills Crossing.

Bardedjilidji walk

Where:

Starts at a small carpark 500m from the upstream boat ramp. (Check wet season access)

Features:

A 2.5km walk through layered sandstone outliers. This is one of Kakadu's most interesting short walks. Allow 2 hours.

Manngarre rainforest walk

Where:

Starts at the carpark across the road from the border store. (dry season only)

Features:

A 1.5km circular walk through a small monsoon rainforest. A raised platform provides a different view of the forest. Allow 1 hour.

Cahills Crossing picnic area

Where:

Near the carpark across the road from the border store. (check wet season access)

Features:

Riverside picnic tables and a viewing platform over the East Alligator River.

Where to stay

Marl Camping Area (check wet season access).

Access to showers, toilets and a generator is available. Camping fees (adults only) are collected on site.

Commercial accommodation facilities including hotel rooms, cabins and camping facilities are available in the nearby Jbiru area.

Services

The Border Store sells food, fishing gear and souvenirs. The store also takes bookings for commercial tours.

Tel +61 8 8979 2474 (services may be unavailable Nov - April). Near the store you find Cahills Crossing picnic area with tables and a viewing platform over the river.

Permits

If you wish to conduct research or any commercial activity in Kakadu National Park, or carry out certain recreational or other activities, you will require a permit to do so.

Where to stay near Cahills Crossing

Services near Cahills Crossing

The Border Store sells food, fishing gear and souvenirs. The store also takes bookings for commercial tours.

Tel +61 8 8979 2474 (services may be unavailable Nov - April). Near the store you find Cahills Crossing picnic area with tables and a viewing platform over the river.

Garig Gunak Barlu National Park is pronounced Gah-rig Goon-uk Bar-loo. It was previously known as Gurig National Park and Cobourg Marine Park, and is located about 570 km (by road) northeast of Darwin on the Cobourg Peninsula.

The Park includes the entire Peninsula, the surrounding waters of the Arafura Sea and Van Diemen Gulf, and some of the neighbouring islands. It covers about 4,500 sq. km. Cobourg Peninsula is the only National Park in the Northern Territory which contains adjoining land and marine areas.

Conserved within the Park area is a mosaic of sandy beaches, dunes and associated coastal grasslands, mangroves, rainforest patches, swamps, lagoons, coral reefs, sea grass meadows and rich marine life. This is an internationally important area as it was the first park in the world to be declared under the RAMSAR Convention because of its significant wetlands.

Permits and fees
A permit is required by visitors to stay overnight in the Park, whether you arrive by road, air or sea. Book well in advance especially during the school holiday periods in the dry season. In quieter times, allow two days to process permits. Supply alternative dates if you can.

Road access
A fee of $232.10 applies per vehicle (Camping Fee $220 plus Transit Fee $12.10). This covers up to 5 adult passengers for up to 7 nights. Extra adult passengers - $11.00. Children under 16 years - free.

NT Road Report - http://www.ntlis.nt.gov.au/roadreport/obstructions-atoz.jsp

Air and sea access
Camping permits are required if staying overnight. Fees of $16.50 per person per night apply. Camp in designated camping areas only.

Applications
Please write to or phone for permit applications: The Permit Officer Cobourg Peninsula Sanctuary and Marine Park Board PO Box 496 PALMERSTON NT 0831 Tel: (08) 8999 4814 Fax: (08) 8999 4524

How to Get There

Road access
Access is via an unsealed road (4WD only) through Arnhem Land. The roads are usually open in the dry season (May - September), depending on the rains. Roads can be closed for ceremonial reasons with little notice. If you are driving, please remember: last fuel stop is at Jabiru caravans and motor bikes are not permitted permits do not allow for stops between the East Alligator River (Cahills Crossing) and the Park boundary check tide charts before setting out. The tides at Cahills Crossing are about six hours behind Darwin tides. Some tides may prevent you crossing the river the roads are dusty and corrugated with some dangerous bends. Drive with extreme care.

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.

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:

* 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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