What are the seasons of Kakadu?

You know the classic four seasons of Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring. You might even know about northern Australia’s two seasons, wet and dry. But it’s probably assumed that you never would have heard of Kakadu’s six different seasons.

That’s right, six different seasons, all defined by the skies, rainfall, plants and animals of Kakadu.

The Seasons Creation

Kakadu’s six seasons were first understood by the traditional owners of the land, known as the Bininj and Mungguy. The seasons are built from thousands of years of knowledge and connection to the land. With generations of indigenous people learning the ever-changing and subtle structure of weather and wildlife.

• Gudjewg

  From January to March is Gudjewg, essentially marked as the monsoon season. The wettest months of the year has Kakadu flooded with heavy rain and thunderstorms. The heat and humidity in this season promote a burst of greenery, as trees, bushes, and grass all overtaking the land.

• Bang Gereng

  In April, the season changes to Bang Gereng with the skies clearing and the rain halting. It is harvest time, with the plants fruiting and the animals are caring for their young.

• Yegge

  May to June is the season Yegge. The weather is cooler and the humidity low, making it an ideal time to tour Kakadu. Iconic attractions such as Twin Falls and Jim Jim are open to the public in this period.

• Wurrgeng

  Wurrgeng ranges from June to August and is generally one of the coolest seasons. Bird watching is aplenty during this time, with migration periods starting.

• Gurung

  From August to October is the hot and dry season of Kakadu. Most waterfalls and creeks beds are dry, leaving file snakes and long-necked turtles to hunt. Travelling in this period is usually quite uncomfortable so we suggest skipping this season.

• Gungmeleng

  Depending on the year, this season can fluctuate in time, sometimes lasting from a few weeks until a few months. It begins from mid-October and usually ends December to January. The land slowly changing from the dry desert area to a slow build-up of humidity, eventually with thundering storms breaking out over the land, beginning the new season of growth. This is the pre-monsoon season and brings in a new round of life in both plant and animals.

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.