Kakadu National Park Visitor Guide and Maps - Free

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BushwalkingViewing the wildlifeOvernight bushwalkingIf you plan to camp overnight on abushwalk you will need a permit. Toobtain a permit, you must submitan application and provide a copyof a topographic map showing yourproposed route and camping sites forapproval. Permits can be organisedthrough the Permits Officer KakaduNational Park telephone (08) 89381140or the Bowali Visitor Centre in Kakadu(see page 33). Please allow at least oneweek for processing. Make sure youread and understand the permitconditions.Please note: Good navigational skillsare essential. You must stick to thebushwalking route and camping sitesapproved in your permit.“Walking is good.You follow track......you sleep,wake in morning to birds,maybe kookaburra.You feel country.”Bill Neidjie - Bunitj clan,Aboriginal traditional owner.If you’re well prepared and physicallyfit, then bushwalking is a great way toexperience Kakadu. The Bushwalkingin Kakadu booklet provides importantinformation on safe bushwalking. Itis available from the Bowali VisitorCentre. To assist in caring for the Park,please stay on the marked tracks.Day walksIf you’d like to do a half-day or fulldaywalk, try the Sandstone and Riverbushwalk (described on page 17),the Barrk bushwalk (page 19), theYurmikmik walks (page 23) or theBarrk Malam walk (described below).Barrk Marlam bushwalk(dry season only)Kakadu is one of the few places inAustralia where there have been limited,if any, extinctions of plants or animalsover the last 200 years. Kakadu is astronghold for animals such as magpiegeese which once occurred throughouteastern and southern Australia. The parkalso protects the habitats of animalsthat only occur in the Kakadu/ArnhemLand region such as the black wallaroo(right), chestnut–quilled rock pigeon(directly below) and the white–throatedgrass wren (bottom).Rock Pigeon.Black Wallaroo (Female: Macropus bernardus)Some hints• The mornings and evenings aregood times to see animals such asbirds and wallabies. During thehotter times of the day, animals tendto be less active.• Waterholes along creeklines attractanimals, especially small birds. Sitquietly as animals in need of watercan frighten easily.• Use binoculars during the day or atorch at night.Where: This marked day walkbranches off the Jim Jim Falls PlungePool track (see page 24).Features: A very steep, difficult 6 kmreturn walk through the rugged stonecountry typical of the Arnhem LandPlateau. Allow 4 to 6 hours.Sandstone antechinus.Northern Fantail.• Look for animals such as lizards,snakes, bandicoots and dingoescrossing the road. Slow down so thatyou see the wildlife rather than runover it!• Please don’t feed the wildlife.Animals such as dingoes and kitescan be dangerous if they becomeused to people.3031
Suggested ItinerariesIf you have reached the end of this guide and are still undecided about where togo, here are a couple of itineraries that might help!One day rush aroundDry seasonMamukala wetlandsBowali Visitor CentreNourlangie art siteWarradjan Aboriginal Cultural CentreYellow Water boat cruise or walkTwo day glimpse or three day stayDry seasonDay 1Mamukala wetlandsBowali Visitor CentreManngarre rainforest walkEast Alligator boat cruiseor Cahills Crossing picnic areaUbirr art site and sunset lookoutDay 2Scenic flight from Cooinda or Jabiru AirstripsNourlangie art siteAnbangbang Billabong walkWarradjan Aboriginal Cultural CentreYellow Water boat cruise or walkDay 3Gunlom Plunge Pool and Lookout orJim Jim Falls & Twin Falls(self drive or commercial tour)Wet seasonBowali Visitor CentreNourlangie art siteWarradjan Aboriginal Cultural CentreYellow Water boat cruiseWet seasonDay 1Bowali Visitor CentreNourlangie art siteNawurlandja Lookout walkNanguluwur art site walkDay 2Mirrai Lookout walkScenic flights from Jabiru AirstripWarradjan Aboriginal Cultural CentreYellow Water boat cruiseDay 3Yurmikmik walks orBarrk Sandstone bushwalk orGubara Pools walkNote: Visitors entering the park from the south are advised to follow these itineraries inreverse order. Please check wet season access for suggested sites.Further informationPaying for the ParkConserving Kakadu's World Heritage values andpresenting them to the public costs several million dollarseach year. The Australian Government provides nearlyall of the funds needed, as the requirement for visitor'sto pay Park Entry fees was removed in December 2004.The collection of other fees and charges, such as campingfees at major campgrounds, also helps to pay for theseimportant services.Bowali Visitor Centre LibraryRead more about Kakadu in air conditioned comfort.Other reference materialsPress T, Lea D., Webb A, and Graham A. (eds).1995. Kakadu: Natural and Cultural Heritage andManagement. Australian Nature Conservation Agency,The Australian National University, Darwin.Park publications such as Kakadu by Foot, KakaduNational Park Tour Operators Handbook and ParkNotes on animals, Aboriginal rock art, Aboriginallanguages, fishing, geology and selected walking tracks.These park-publications are available from:Bowali Visitor Centre Parks Australia NorthPO Box 71 GPO Box 1260Jabiru NT 0886 Darwin NT 0801Phone: (08) 8938 1120 Phone: (08) 8920 1300Fax: (08) 8938 1123 Fax: (08) 8920 1315Email: KakaduNationalPark@deh.gov.auWebsite: www.deh.gov.au/parks/kakaduBoh boh (good bye).Remember boh boh is not the finish, it’s just the beginning.Kakadu Board of Management and park staff.32Most Aboriginal artwork provided by Daluk Daluk Screen Printing. Photos by C. Totterdell, G. Miles,D. Lucas, M. Hatt, M. Storrs and J. Golling. Illustrations by S. Gerrie, P. Shaughnessy and cartoons by J. van Os.07/05 180 00033
Page 1 and 2: Welcome to the Aboriginal Lands ofK
Page 3 and 4: Finding your wayThis guide is divid
Page 5 and 6: Kakadu's habitatsSavanna woodlandsT
Page 7 and 8: 1. South Alligator AreaIf you have
Page 9 and 10: 3. East Alligator AreaBardedjilidji
Page 11 and 12: 5. Yellow Water Area1The local Abor
Page 14 and 15: Visitor SafetyWhat to wearDuring th
Page 18: Your Health & SafetyKakadu National

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