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Where
is Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National
Park an Australian Natural Icon covers almost 20,000 square
kms and is 253 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.
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 253 km from Darwin
in Northern Territory Australia via the Arnhem
Highway entrance. If travelling by road, you should
allow 3 hours travelling time from Darwin.
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)
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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.
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Gunumeleng Pre-Monsoon
Storm Season
Gunumeleng, from mid-October to late December, may in
fact last from a few weeks to several months. It is the
pre-monsoon season of hot weather that becomes more and
more humid. Thunderstorms build in the afternoons and
scattered showers bring a tinge of green to the dry land.
As the streams begin to run, acidic water that washes
from the floodplains can cause fish to die in billabongs
with low oxygen levels. Waterbirds spread out as surface
water and new growth become more widespread. Barramundi
move from the waterholes downstream to the estuaries to
breed. This was when Bininj/Mungguy moved camp from the
floodplains to the stone country, to shelter from the
violent storms of the coming wet season. |
Gudjewg - Monsoon Season
Gudjewg, from January to March, can be described as the
'true' wet season. It is a time of thunderstorms, heavy
rain and flooding. The heat and humidity generate an explosion
of plant and animal life. Spear grass grows to over 2
metres tall and creates a silvery-green hue throughout
the woodlands. Magpie geese nest in the sedgelands. Flooding
may cause goannas, snakes and rats to seek refuge in the
trees. Eggs and stranded animals are a good food source
for Bininj/Mungguy during this time. |
Banggereng - Knock
'em down storm Season
Banggerreng, in April, is the season when the rain clouds
have dispersed and clear skies prevail. The vast expanses
of floodwater recede and streams start to run clear. Most
plants are fruiting and animals are caring for their young.
Violent, windy storms early in this season flatten the
spear grass; they are called 'knock 'em down' storms.
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Yegge - Cooler but
still humid Season
Yegge, from May to mid-June, is relatively cool with low
humidity. Early morning mists hang low over the plains
and waterholes. The shallow wetlands and billabongs are
carpeted with water lilies. Drying winds and flowering
Darwin woolly butt tell Bininj/Mungguy that it is time
to start burning the woodlands in patches to 'clean the
country' and encourage new growth for grazing animals.
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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. Most
creeks stop flowing and the floodplains quickly dry out.
Burning continues, extinguished by the dew at night. By
day, birds of prey patrol the fire lines as insects and
small animals try to escape the flames. Magpie geese,
fat and heavy after weeks of abundant food, and a myriad
of other waterbirds crowd the shrinking billabongs. |
Gurrung - Hot Dry Weather
Gurrung, from mid-August to mid-October, is hot and dry.
It is still 'goose time' but also time for Bininj/Mungguy
to hunt file snakes and long-necked turtles. Sea turtles
lay their eggs on the sandy beaches of Field Island and
West Alligator Head and goann as rob their nests sometimes.
White-breasted wood swallows arrive as thunderclouds build,
signalling the return of Gunumeleng. |
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The Climate of the Kakadu
Region
Kakadu is located in
the tropics, 12 to 14° south of the Equator.
The climate is monsoonal,
characterised by two major seasons: the dry season and
the wet season. The 'build up' describes the transition
between these two seasons.
During the dry season
(April/May to September), dry southerly and easterly
trade winds predominate. Humidity is relatively low
and rain is very unusual.
At Jabiru the average
maximum temperature for June-July is 32°C. During the
'build up' (October to December) conditions can be extremely
uncomfortable with high temperatures and high humidity.
However 'build up' storms
are impressive and lightning strikes are frequent. In
fact the Top End of Australia records more lighting
strikes per year than any other place on earth.
At Jabiru the average
maximum temperature for October is 37.5°C.
The wet season (January
to March/April) is characterised by warm temperatures
and, as one would expect, rain.
Most of the rain is associated
with monsoonal troughs formed over Southeast Asia, although
occasionally tropical cyclones produce intense heavy
rain over localised areas.
At Jabiru the average
maximum temperature for January is 33°C.
Annual rainfall in Kakadu
National Park ranges from 1,565 mm in Jabiru to 1,300
mm in the Mary River region.
The following charts
provide an indication of rainfall, temperatures and
humidity within the Kakadu region. Data for the charts
was sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology, Darwin.
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| All
credits to http://www.environment.gov.au |
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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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