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Two of Kakadu’s world-renowned tourism destinations – Ubirr and Jim Jim Falls – have reopened just as the Kakadu National Park’s peak season begins.

Ubirr boasts some of the world’s most treasured rock art, with fine examples of x-ray painting as well as contact art from the time when Indigenous people first encountered Europeans. The art tells stories about Indigenous behaviour and law, while images of animals that once roamed the region such as the Thylacine are also represented.

Sunset at the Ubirr Lookout is one of the most popular activities in Kakadu National Park, with the spectacular views across the Nadab Plain made famous by Paul Hogan’s film Crocodile Dundee, and now captured regularly on Instagram and other social media channels.

Another nearby attraction – the Bardedjilidji Walk, which has also reopened for visitors – provided one of the key settings for Crocodile Dundee 2. 

The reopening of Ubirr follows on from the reopening of Jim Jim Falls, with an upgrade to the access road making it easier to visit the falls and rock hole. 

While the falls are at their most dramatic during the Wet, the rock pool below is at its most alluring during the Dry, with the vast, cool oasis a refreshing haven from the 30 degree celsius day-time temperatures. The short walk to the pools takes visitors through a large, shaded anbinik forest that is considered amongst the oldest vegetation on the planet, dating back over 400 million years.

Wildlife is abundant with eagles and falcons in the air, honeyeaters in the tree canopies and teeming fish in the swimming hole.

Other world famous attractions such as Nourlangie’s rock art sites, Koolpin Gorge, Maguk, Mamukala Wetlands and Yellow Water Cruises are operating and fully accessible.

Most attractions are easily accessible by 4WD vehicles, however visitors who prefer a guided tour to places such as Maguk and Moline Falls can opt for fully guided tours with Spirit of Kakadu Adventure Tours, which operates out of Cooinda.

The opening up of activities comes at a time of greater availability of accommodation in the Park’s two major tourist centres – Jabiru and Cooinda. A wide range of accommodation styles is available at Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel and Cooinda Lodge and Camping Ground. 

To help visitors appreciate major sites, rock art and culture, a wide variety of guided tours are being made available by Kakadu National Park, in most cases free of charge.
The full program can be viewed at parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/do/ranger-guided-activities/

For bookings and further details: www.kakadutourism.com

Images from top: Ubirr Sunset, Kakadu National Park. Credit: Peter Eve Tourism NT; Ubirr rock art viewing; Jim Jim Falls; Ubirr Kakadu: Credit Studio McNaught.

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