What is a Billabong?

Learn all about Kakadu’s billabongs and what to expect!

When reading through our itineraries, you’ve probably come across the term ‘billabong’. From the Yellow Water Billabong, to the White Lily Billabong, we use it a lot. But what actually is it referring to?

For local Australians, this term is common, featured in surf brands and popular country songs. However, for others, it may be a confusing word.

To put it simply, a billabong refers to a large body of water, with its actual translation being ‘a watercourse that only runs after rain’.

How Do Billabongs Form

A billabong can form when a river changes its course, cutting off a section and leaving behind a large body of water, similar to a lake. It usually only occurs after rain floods the river and nearby region. Eventually, the river water breaks through the base of the loop, and an extra water section is formed. Billabongs can also form from pools of water accruing after a large flood.

Rainwater continues to restore the billabong from rain and nearby rivers. The area stays fresh and supports a copiousness amount of wildlife.

The word Billabong’s origins

A billabong can form when a river changes its course, cutting off a section and leaving behind a large body of water, similar to a lake. It usually only occurs after rain floods the river and nearby region. Eventually, the river water breaks through the base of the loop, and an extra water section is formed.

Billabongs can also form from pools of water accruing after a large flood. Rainwater continues to restore the billabong from rain and nearby rivers. The area stays fresh and supports a copious amount of wildlife.

What is the origin of the word ‘billabong’?

The term billabong comes from the Wiradjuri word ‘bilabang’, which translates to ‘lake’. The Wiradjuri language comes from the Aboriginal Wiradhuric tribe, located in New South Wales. The section bila translates to ‘river’, whereas the bang refers to ‘continuing in time or space’.

For the Aboriginal people of Australia, billabongs acted as an important water source. This was due to the billabongs remaining for longer periods of time compared to rivers. During the dry season, the majority of the water sources dried up, leaving only billabongs. Each billabong was named and cherished, with tribes moving nearby in the dry season to survive the harsh hot weather.

Where can the billabongs be found?

There is a stunning abundance of wetlands located throughout Australian land. However, Kakadu National Park is renowned for its spectacular billabongs. Below are three of the most popular billabongs found in Kakadu National Park!

• White Lily Billabong

  Being one of the most prominent watering holes in the area, White Lily Billabong is well worth the visit. An array of wildlife flocks here, both in and surrounding the sparkling water.

  When visiting, you can enjoy a water cruise along the large billabong. Spot unique wildlife such as colourful birds, crocodiles and the famous white lily in which the billabong is named after.

• Corroboree Billabong

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• This billabong only makes up a small section of the Mary River Wetlands. However, its picturesque scenery makes it one of the most memorable spots.The Corroboree Billabong is undoubtedly the most visited for holding the largest concentration of crocodiles in the entire world. There are crocodile cruises operating every single day.Aside from the crocodiles, a massive collection of flora and fauna also inhabit the region. There are over 280 different bird species loathed here, making it a massive destination for bird watching.

• Yellow Water Billabong

  If you are keen to go fishing, the Yellow Water Billabong is for you! It is one of the top fishing spots in the entire country, with numerous fish species that are relatively easy to snag.

  If you choose not to go fishing, simply cruising around the area is a treat. There is an abundance of incredible wildlife and stunning scenery located throughout the Yellow Water Billabong.

Visit Kakadu’s billabongs on a day tour

One of the best ways to explore the billabongs is on a Kakadu National Park day tour!

This day tour will take you on an unforgettable journey through the national park. You’ll begin the day on a journey along the Stuart Highway before arriving in Kakadu National Park. We will first visit the cultural centre to learn all about the Bininj people and the cultural significance of the area. Then it’s onto the Yellow Water Billabong! Here, we’ll board a cruise, spotting heaps of crocodiles living in the billabong.

In the afternoon we’ll have a tasty buffet lunch then visit the Nourlangie Rock Art site. Here, you’ll get an up-close view of the incredible rock art that has been in the area for thousands of years.

After a full day of exploring, the tour will come to an end.