What is the climate in Kakadu National Park?

Kakadu is notorious for being a dry and hot climate, packed with bush, jagged rock formations, and diverse wildlife.

However, unlike most of the country, it does not have the classic four seasons. Instead of having six different seasons of diverse climate and rainfall. These seasons were first understood by the traditional owners of the land, known as the Bininj and Mungguy. These six sections of the climate have been built from thousands of discovery and knowledge, with the generations of the indigenous people learning the ever-changing structure of Kakadu’s weather.

The Seasons of Kakadu

• Gudjewg

  Gudkewg is from January to March, known typically as the monsoon season. By far the wettest section of the year, with thick humidity flooding the region. Heavy with rain throughout both the day and night, this season is the reason for the landscape’s thick bushland, with the greenery overtaking the area due to the immense rainfall.

• Bang Gereng

  Bang Gereng is next on the list, changing the climate in April. The rain halts in this season and the sky clear to blue. This is known as the harvest time of the year, as the plants of the region bear ripe fruit and the animals caring for their young.

• Yegge

  May to June is the season known as Yegge. It is typically cooler than most seasons, with the humidity low. This makes it one of the most popular times to sightsee in Kakadu, as the weather is mild, and iconic attractions such as Twin Falls and Jim Jim are open to the public.

• Wurrgeng

  From June to August is the season Wurrgeng. It is recognised as one of the coldest periods in Kakadu, but temperatures typically only lower to mid-20s. Bird migration periods start in this time, making it a perfect period of bird watcher enthusiasts.

• Gurung

  From August to October is Gurung, a hot and dry season in the full year. The water from the wetter months has dried up, with the waterfalls, creeks, and smaller rivers completely free of water. Due to the immense heat, travelling about her can be overwhelming if you aren’t used to hot climates. However, due to it being the dry season, it is a dry heat with no thick humid to bother you.

• Gungmeleng

  Beginning mid-October, the season of Gungmeleng can change in length. Sometimes only lasting a few weeks, where other years it spreads to a few months. This is the period where the landscape alters from the dry desert area to a build-up of humidity and thunderstorms. With the clouds slowly turning grey and the winds picking up.

Related article: What Tours You Can See Enjoy in Kakadu?

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.