Experience one of Australia's best natural reserves at Kakadu National Park. Hike through sheer red-rock gorges, camp amid local wildlife or watch powerful storms roll across the sky during the wet season.
Before beginning your trip, stop by the Bowali Visitor Centre. Plan your adventure with the center’s maps while you sip a cool drink.
The South Alligator and Jabiru regions offer enchanting Australian scenery. Enjoy views of billabongs and woodlands along the Gungarre trail, a 2.2-mile (3.6-kilometer) walking circuit that takes around 2 hours. You can try bird watching with a guide around the Mamukala Wetlands or the Manngarre Rainforest.
Take a daytrip to Jim Jim Gorge in the early dry season and photograph its dramatic waterfall. Nearby, the Twin Falls and Barrk Malam trails offer sweeping views of the red-earth countryside.
Hike to Nourlangie or Naguluwurr and see ancient Aboriginal rock art. Learn about the meanings of these inscriptions and traditional Aboriginal hunting techniques at the Warradjan Cultural Centre. Stay in overnight campsites nearby with toilet facilities and drinking water sources.
In the wet season, abundant rains fill Kakadu's gorges to capacity. Though many walking trails become inaccessible, the rains open Aurora Kakadu South Alligator as a delightful swimming location. Walk around the Gubara Pools and spot fish darting between the reeds.
Board the Guluyambi River or Yellow Water cruises and spot wildlife among the floodplains. Take a plane tour of the Kakadu Region and capture birds-eye views of waterfalls in full flow.
As afternoon falls, hike to the Bukbukluk Lookout and watch storm clouds rolling overhead. Camping sites during the wet season are limited, but available.
The drive to Kakadu from Darwin takes around a day. Entry to Kakadu National Park requires a reasonably priced pass.
Food, four-wheel drive rentals and tourism operators can be found at the town of Jabiru, on the Arnhem Highway. Dry season lasts from May to October, while the wet season hits its peak in December.
