World ExpeditionsBig Adventures. Small Footprint.https://assets.worldexpeditions.com/BlogKakadu’s top 6 spots to explore on foothttps://assets.worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/3820/kakadus-6-top-spots-to-explore-on-footActivities,Cultural Journeys,Trekking/Walking,Destinations,Australia, New Zealand &amp; the Pacific,AustraliaMon, 19 Jul 2021 05:28:00 GMT<p>As one of the most diverse and spectacular wilderness areas in the world, Kakadu National Park seems to have it all – waterfalls, canyons, rivers and canoeing plus rich and strong aboriginal culture. Combined with the huge sense of space and remote walking tracks (with tourists few and far between!), the feeling of having it all to yourself is unmatched.</p> <p>Known for its unique ecosystem that receives a deluge of rain in the summer months, Kakadu’s billabongs, stone country, floodplains and low ridges are home to a diverse array of animal and plant species.</p> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><carouselsource aspectratio="4x3" data-plugin-options="{'items': 3, 'margin': 10, 'nav': true, 'dots': false}"><img alt="Marvel at the incredible landscape when hiking in Kakadu | <i>Rhys Clarke</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="929090" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Kakadu-Walking-Adventure-929090-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Kakadu-Walking-Adventure-929090-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="A walk in Kakadu will allow you to explore more of the Top End's hidden gems | <i>Rhys Clarke</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="929092" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Waterhole_-Gunlom-929092-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Waterhole_-Gunlom-929092-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="Trekking in the savannah of Kakadu | <i>Rhys Clarke</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="929091" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Kakadu-Walking-Adventure-929091-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Kakadu-Walking-Adventure-929091-###width###px.jpg" /> </carouselsource></div>   <p>Travellers who explore Kakadu on foot are usually treated to an endless series of pandanus-palm fringed swimming holes, crystal-clear waterfalls and spectacular gorges. And with guides who know the area well, accessing secret places few visitors ever see is one of the reasons why it is so relaxing and easy to forget the worries of the world when you are in the middle of a tropical ‘nowhere’. Here are the top six highlights when spending a week walking in Kakadu National Park.</p> <h3>Time-travel at the Nourlangie ancient rock art sites</h3> <p>Nourlangie is a living museum of art galleries, history and spirituality in Kakadu. Some of the art galleries housed in sheltered caves provide insight into the mythology of the traditional owners. Near Nourlangie is the Anbangang Gallery, where the famous Lightning Man is painted; this Dreamtime ancestor is said to control the violent wet season lightning storms.</p> <p>With an Aboriginal heritage dating back at least 20,000 years, a visit to these ancient sites offers a unique chance to discover the history and heritage of the area.</p> <h3>Explore the wildlife-rich Yellow Water Wetlands</h3> <p><img alt="A spectacular sunset experienced on the Yellow Waters cruise in Kakadu | <i>Peter Walton</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="929087" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Kakadu-Photographic-Journey-Northern-Territory-929087-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Kakadu-Photographic-Journey-Northern-Territory-929087-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>One of the highlights of Kakadu is a cruise on the Yellow Water billabong, home to an astounding variety of wildlife. Here you may encounter brumbies, wallabies and goannas drinking from the waterside, saltwater crocodiles and <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/3406/popular-birdwatching-spots-in-australia" target="_blank">thousands of birds</a> including Magpie Geese, Brolgas, Cormorants, Pelicans and Jabiru, Australia’s largest flying bird.</p> <p>Keep your arms and legs out of the water though, as it’s estimated that there are four crocodiles every 100 square metres!</p> <h3>Experience the famous Jim Jim and Twin Falls</h3> <p>Visit Kakadu’s most famous waterfalls, the Jim Jim and Twin Falls, which during the wet season turn into a roaring waterfall that gushes over towering red escarpments. While these reduce to a trickle in the dry season, the towering cliffs are a spectacle in their own right.</p> <p><img alt="Take a dip at Jim Jim and Twin Falls on day 2" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="929095" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Efti/Kakadu-2018/Day-2-Jim-Jim-and-Twin-Falls---30-929095-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Efti/Kakadu-2018/Day-2-Jim-Jim-and-Twin-Falls---30-929095-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>Encircled by 140-million-year-old sandstone cliffs, the Jim Jim Falls has a small sand-fringed plunge pool at the base of the falls. Trek through the monsoon rainforest to reach the falls – a short 900m walk that rewards spectacular views.</p> <p>The Twin Falls, on the other hand, is a cascade waterfall that has breathtaking views into the gorge below.</p> <p><img alt="Twin Falls waterfall in Kakadu National Park, NT | <i>Liz Rogan</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="929094" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Waterfall-Kakadu-929094-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Waterfall-Kakadu-929094-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <h3>Walk to the spectacular Gunlom Falls</h3> <p>Kakadu’s most iconic plunge pool and waterfall is renowned far and wide for its natural infinity-edge pool.</p> <p><img alt="Relaxing in the waterhole above Gunlom Waterfall on the Kakadu Walking Adventure | <i>Rhys Clarke</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="929093" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Gunlom-top-pool-929093-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Gunlom-top-pool-929093-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>Made famous by Crocodile Dundee, the emerald green pool and white sandy beach is a show stopper. Add in the most panoramic views of the southern-most parts of Kakadu National Park and you have a perfect spot to relax.</p> <p>The sunset views from the swimming pool on top of the Gunlom Waterfall are some of the most published images of the NT, thanks to the sweeping views across stone country and woodland to the southern hills and ridges.</p> <p>And no need to worry about crocs, the swimming holes we visit on our <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/advanced-search?categories=AUS&searchKeywords=kakadu" target="_blank">Kakadu walks</a> are safe to swim in and are crocodile-free.</p> <h3>Close encounters with some of the Top End's exotic animals</h3> <p><img alt="A bird perches on a tree in Kakadu | <i>Holly Van De Beek</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="929096" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Experience-Kakadu-National-Park-_10_-929096-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Experience-Kakadu-National-Park-_10_-929096-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>Kakadu is home to a diverse array of wildlife, birds and animals that can rival the diversity of a safari trip in Africa! Home to countless mammals and over 2000 plant species, it is a melting pot of extraordinary local wildlife.</p> <p>The most well-known, of course, is the largest reptile on the planet: the Saltwater Crocodile. This huge, territorial and iconic animal can be found all throughout Kakadu – there are over 10,000 of them in the area! Don’t worry, though, the swimming holes we visit are high on the escarpment, far from the reach of the ‘Salties’!</p> <p><img alt="Salt water crocodile swimming in the Yellow Water Lagoon | <i>Holly Van De Beek</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="929088" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Experience-Kakadu-National-Park-_16_-929088-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/Northern-Territory/Experience-Kakadu-National-Park-_16_-929088-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>While in the wilderness you can also expect to see flatback turtles, mini quolls, snakes, wild pigs, river sharks and buffaloes; however one of Kakadu’s most iconic creatures is actually a grasshopper! Called the Alyurr, or ‘child of the lightning man” it is a local grasshopper that is brightly coloured in blue and orange.</p> <h3>Walk among lush wilderness</h3> <p>One of our favourite things about Kakadu is that after the wet season rains, we are almost guaranteed a breathtakingly lush walking season from April onwards. With up to 350mm of rain per month falling between January to March, the billabongs, rivers and creeks receive a copious amount of new freshwater, cleansing the earth, refreshing the waterholes and encouraging new growth for plants growing in the plains and wetlands.</p> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9" style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="embed-responsive-item" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/m87SCce7Nu4?rel=0&controls=1"></iframe></div>   <p>Often, between April to June, the plains are covered with water lilies and lotus flowers- just in time for the trekking season! The conditions during April to September provides the perfect breeding conditions for the huge populations of brolgas, egrets, black-necked storks, eagles, magpie geese and many more bird species, so timing your visits during these months is ideal for nature lovers!</p> <p><strong><big>Experience it yourself</big></strong><br /> Join the <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Australia/Trekking-Hiking/Kakadu-Explorer" target="_blank">Kakadu Explorer</a>, a six-day walking adventure to Kakadu’s top spots and best kept secrets! This guided walking tour spends evenings at our exclusive semi-permanent campsites to give travellers creature comforts in the remote Top End Wilderness. <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Australia/Trekking-Hiking/Kakadu-Explorer" target="_blank"><strong>Find out more ></strong></a></p> <p>Or join the <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Australia/Cycling/Top-End-Kakadu-Supported-Cycle">Kakadu Supported Cycle Tour</a>, a 5-day immersive experience of all of the Top End's highlights. Explore the backroads of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks by bike, enjoy wildlife cruises, and hear about local culture from Indigenous guides. <strong><a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Australia/Cycling/Top-End-Kakadu-Supported-Cycle">Find out more ></a></strong></p> 3820Kakadu video diary: day-to-day itineraryhttps://assets.worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/3405/watch-kakadu-highlights-day-to-day-itineraryActivities,Cultural Journeys,Trekking/Walking,Wildlife,Destinations,Australia, New Zealand &amp; the Pacific,AustraliaMon, 04 May 2020 07:56:00 GMT<p>Discover Australia's largest terrestrial national park: <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Australia/Trekking-Hiking/Kakadu-Explorer" target="_blank">Kakadu National Park</a>. At almost half the size of Switzerland, the World Heritage Area is huge, covering some 20,000 square kilometres.</p> <p>Our full-day video itineraries below showcase the park's must-visits while taking you beyond the main tourist sites to reveal's magic – perfect for wildlife lovers and active travellers alike.</p> <h2>The highlights</h2> <p>Head away from the crowds on our walking based itinerary, which include a cruise on the Yellow Waters (a favourite haunt of saltwater crocodiles), chasing waterfalls at the red cliffs off the Arnhem Land escarpment, visiting tranquil wetlands teem with animal and birdlife; while 40,000 years of Aboriginal cultural heritage is on display in the numerous hidden rock art galleries.</p> <p>And, after venturing into remote gorges, enjoy overnight stays in scenically located, semi-permanent campsites where you can relax in idyllic tropical surrounds – exclusive to only you and your group.</p> <p>If you're planning a visit to <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Australia/Trekking-Hiking/Kakadu-Explorer" target="_blank">Kakadu</a>, here's how to get the most out of it over four days.</p> <h2>Day 1: Traditional welcome to country & Yellow Water Billabong cruise</h2> <div> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="embed-responsive-item" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_WNtGkQS2TM?rel=0&controls=1"></iframe></div> </div> <p><br /> Meet with Wulna Aboriginal elders for a traditional welcome to country; followed by morning tea, damper and a chance to discuss culture, tradition or walk by the billabong. We then get off the sealed roads and travel east by 4WD along the old Jim Jim Road, passing some of the great wetlands such as Red Lily Billabong.</p> <p>In the afternoon, after settling in at our permanent safari camp at Djarradjin Billabong in the heart of Kakadu. During the evening, experience a cruise on the nearby Yellow Water billabong, home to an astounding variety of wildlife. Here you may encounter brumbies, wallabies and goannas drinking from the waterside, salt water crocodile and thousands of birds including Magpie Geese, Brolgas, Cormorants, Pelicans and Jabiru, Australia’s largest flying bird. The flat-bottomed boat is guided by an expert wildlife guide.</p> <h2>Day 2: Massif & sandstone walk</h2> <div> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="embed-responsive-item" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/70485w6y2J4?rel=0&controls=1"></iframe></div> </div> <p><br /> This morning we will experience the extraordinary sunrise over the wetlands with the option to join the famous Yellow Water cruise or just relax around camp. After a relaxed breakfast we drive to Nourlangie massif and begin our stunning walk traversing the crest of this quartzite plateau.</p> <p>The walk reveals the extraordinary diversity of habitats of the escarpment, from cool Monsoon Vine Forest to the rugged stone country on top. This is an active day so be prepared for a 13 km+ walking adventure. We then return to our group campsite at Djarradjin Billabong.</p> <h2>Day 3: Barramundi (Maguk) Falls & Gunlom Plunge Pool</h2> <div> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="embed-responsive-item" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jokljn1Rm68?rel=0&controls=1"></iframe></div> </div> <p><br /> Heading south we will explore some of the most stunning waterfalls and gorges of Kakadu. Barramundi Falls is reached via a walk through the monsoon forest, opening out to deep plunge pool lined with blonde quartzite cliffs.</p> <p>In the afternoon we travel on to the far south of Kakadu and our semi-permanent campsite near Gunlom. This iconic waterfall and plunge pool is ringed by sandy beaches and pandanus palms, the perfect spot to relax. The sunset views from the swimming pool on top of the Gunlom Waterfall are some of the most remarkable views of the NT.</p> <p>Our accommodation is another semi-permanent safari camp adjacent to the main campground. We are just a short stroll from the beach and plunge pool.</p> <h2>Day 4: Southern Kakadu wilderness walk</h2> <div> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="embed-responsive-item" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ebuRyTTSalQ?rel=0&controls=1"></iframe></div> </div> <p><br /> We head deep in to Southern Kakadu, Buladjang Country to take a 14km walk and pay a visit to visit Motorcar Creek Falls areas. The highlight is rock scrambling through spectacular gorges to reach crystal clear, unspoilt rock pools of remarkable beauty and some outstanding views of the surrounding hills and woodland. The pace of the walk and the distance covered is up to the mood of the group on the day.</p> <p>On the way, there are often limpid rock pools lined with ferns and Livistonia palms and within the walls of the gorge, birds and animals find water and shelter from the heat of the plains. It is a wonderful opportunity to explore this magical environment and once again the day can be as strenuous as the group prefers.</p> <p>This is an area that only very few people are privileged to experience, and for many, this day is one of the highlights of the trip.</p> <p style="background: rgb(238, 238, 238) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 5px 10px;"><strong>Feeling inspired? </strong>Experience this and more on our guided <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/advanced-search?searchKeywords=kakadu" target="_blank">Kakadu walking adventures</a>, which take in national park’s best secret spots, while staying at our exclusive and comfortable campsites. The itinerary may vary to make the most of the season by choosing the best walks and times to visit waterfalls as the wet season floodwaters recede and access opens up.</p>   <p><a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Australia/Trekking-Hiking/Kakadu-Explorer" target="_blank"><button class="btn btn-borders world-ex mr-xs mb-sm" type="button">View our all-inclusive Kakadu Explorer trip</button></a></p> <div> </div> <div> <hr /><br /> <br /> <strong>Explore the Top End by Bike</strong></div> <div>  <div>Join the <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Australia/Cycling/Top-End-Kakadu-Supported-Cycle">Kakadu Supported Cycle Tour</a>, a 5-day immersive experience of all of the Top End's highlights. Explore the backroads of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks by bike, enjoy wildlife cruises, and hear about local culture from Indigenous guides. <strong><a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Australia/Cycling/Top-End-Kakadu-Supported-Cycle">Find out more ></a></strong></div> </div> 3405