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Yellow Waters
in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
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Blog.
Yellow Waters Cruises Kakadu National Park Australia
We
arrived at Cooinda Lodge Resort - which is 54klm
turning right from the Arnhem Highway just before
entering Jabiru township area (say 10klm before).
The road was sealed and very well maintained also
right into Cooinda. Though it seemed like forever
to get there allow 90mins. We arrived at 3.40pm
and thought our Yellow Waters boat cruise started
at 4.30 and that's what our ticket said but actually
the pickup at Cooinda (free shuttle) was at 4.10pm.
Well thinking checking at Cooinda would be like
everywhere else and like wait upon wait I was
surprised to be checked in something like 6 minutes
and from a polite well dressed and smiling counter
staff.
We stayed at the
cabins and for local ratings it had everything
we needed. We heard from a tour operator that
the resort is refurbishing the rooms for a fresh
face in november so that will be be a added feature.
We waited for the free shuttle part of the service
provided and it arrived spot on time. Once there
at the carpark a whooping 1klm away we saw around
10 other vehicles, some campervan and 4WD selfdrive
hire rentals and also tour grous. It appeared
some were there for the sunset view as the carpark
merges with the waters edge and some to join the
cruises. There were 4 cruise boats from what we
saw and there was only one boat on the water during
our cruise that seemed to be doing the reverse
of what our itinerary was.
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| The cruise
went for around 90mins (I really wasn't keeping
track as too engrossed in the beautiful sights I
forgot). Our guide was a young aussie - who was
so enthusiatistic about the Billabong and an abudance
of knowledge on local, state and government issues
with Yellow Waters he never ceased to amaze us.
He ran a very low key non-plastic fluent talk throughout
the cruise on each new species of birds, qater lillies
and crocodiles, horses, buffalo and cattle. Yes
horses but he will tell you all about them. |
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There was cups
and cool iced water on hand and plenty of it,
a toilet on board so creature comforts were maintained.
The highlight of
the trip were 2 occasions that Iwas lucky enough
to snap above left the 2 crocs eying off the birds
like only 2 metres away. Maybe they were trying
to remember their Peking Duck recipes that's why
they just sat there. our guide said out of the
water the birds have the advantage so the crocodiles
don't usually snap at them.
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Now above is my
best snap as here we saw the bird, Jabiru, the
most magnificent bird you could imagine so proud
and rather regal and a crocodile no more than
2.5 metres away both just eyeing each other. Finally
my wife took the camera off me after 124 pics
hahaha and took a series of sunset shots. No matter
how bad a photographer you are you will get some
amzaing shots to hang in the living room of your
house.
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Rating: (Please
note I am very critical at the best of times so
this actually received my best rating to date)
100%: A must do experience
70%: Good value for the dollar but could have
areas of improvement
35%: If nothing else may as well do it
1%: Forget it and look at a nature documentary
on TV, other options
Yellow Waters
Cruise:
Service: 99%
Guide: 100%
Product: 98%
Scenery: 97%
Flora and Fauna: 99%
Value: 97.5%
Blog: By Rob
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Yellow Water
Wetlands (check wet season access)
Where: Turn
north-west off the Kakadu Highway 50km south of
the Bowali Visitor Centre.
Features: Yellow Water is part of the South
Alligator River floodplain. During early dry season,
a boardwalk provides good views of Yellow Water's
wildlife. When waters recede, a 1km return walk
takes you across the floodplains to a viewing
platform on Home Billabong.
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tours: Commercial boat cruises operate on Yellow
Water throughout the year and provide a marvellous
opportunity to see the varied birdlife of Kakadu's
World Heritage wetlands. Bookings are required.
Telephone: Within Australia: (08) 8979 0111 International:
+61 8 8979 0111. A web site with all the prices
Times
and Prices and times is at http://www.yellowwatercruises.com/index.htm
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<<<
Gagudju
Lodge Cooinda
Situated 3 hours
from Darwin, Gagudju Lodge Cooinda offers convenient
access to Kakadu National Park attractions.
Take the Stuart Highway south from Darwin, then
transfer to the Arnhem Highway towards Jabiru.
Travel approximately 225 kilometres then turnoff
to the Pine Creek Highway and travel 54 kilometres
to the Cooinda turnoff.
Location: Gagudju Lodge Cooinda, Kakadu
National Park Kakadu Highway, Jim Jim NT 0886,
Australia
Phone: + 61 (0) 8 89 79 0145
Email: reservations@gagudjulodgecooinda.com.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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| 4WD
Cars & 4WD Campers |
2WD
Campers & Motorhomes |
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• 4WD Campervans also available |
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• All
applicable fees and charges included
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• Know what you're paying for! |
| Use
the search for a quote on 4WD Cars, 4WD Campers,
2WD Campers & luxury and budget Motorhomes |
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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:
 *
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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