Interesting Facts about the Kakadu National Park

Many people visit Kakadu National Park because they hear of the spiritual experiences, adventure and amazing landscape that awaits them.

This is all true, the Kakadu National Park is a vibrant and integral part of the Australian landscape. It is so large it can’t be seen in just a single day. Many people will do at least two or three nights so they can really get in touch with the natural environment that surrounds them.

• Indigenous Heritage

  Kakadu has been home to Bininj and Mungguyin peoples for at over 40,000 years. As the oldest surviving culture on earth, Indigenous Australians tend to and protect the land. There are over 5,000 sites of significance in Kakadu and 500 people live on the land today.

• UNESCO Protected Site

  Kakadu National Park spans an area of 20,000 square kilometres. More than half the park is under traditional ownership. Kakadu is also a UNESCO World Heritage Protected site due to its abundance of plant and animal life and beautiful example of the Australian outback.

• Animals and Plant Life

  Kakadu is home to a diverse biosphere of plant and animal life, with some endangered species only being found in that very park. There are currently 53 species of fish, 170 plants and 280 bird species known at Kakadu National Park. One third of all bird species in Australia are found in Kakadu. Wildlife can be viewed at all times during the day but the early morning and when the sun sets is when the animal life is more active.

• Six Seasons

  While there are two main seasons in Kakadu; the wet and dry, there are actually another 4 seasons that the traditional landowners acknowledge which is related to the animals, plants and weather across the land. There’s monsoon, ‘knock em down’, cooler but still quite humid, colder weather, dry hot weather and pre monsoon storm seasons.

• Largest Waterfall in Kakadu

  The largest of the waterfalls in Kakadu is Jim Jim Falls, which also happens to the taller than the falls at Litchfield as well. Its impressive height lends itself to a majestic rain fall during the wet season which sees thunderous amounts of water pouring over the side. Visit in the dry season and you can get closer to the base by climbing over the boulders.

• Cathedral Termite Mounds

  One of the most impressive natural landmarks of Kakadu? Termite mounds! These grand structures can grow up to 20 feet in height and are all the work of termites who work diligently inside them. These structures are solid but inside feature of series of tunnels that allow the termites to quickly move around.

Related article: What is Kakadu national park famous for?

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.