Hi, my name is Daniela and welcome to my guide on Kakadu National Park! I’m a 29 year old girl from Chile who loves nature and living life to the fullest. Since I first left my country, I loved the feeling of experiencing new realities, landscapes, languages, foods, cultures and ways of life.
The main reason why I wanted to travel to the other side of the world was to search for an expansion, essentially to expand my being and reach places that my mind never thought were possible. English isn’t my first language and starting this adventure with that limitation was a challenge.
For some reason, I always knew that Australia was the right place to start this adventure. It seemed to be a country with so much natural wealth, and with so much diversity in landscapes and wildlife. I used to dream about visiting Australia and it turned out to be everything I could’ve hoped for!
Falling in Love with Kakadu National Park
I first found out about Kakadu after wanting to get away from the city. I was living in Sydney at the time, searching for places to escape to on the Internet, and I came across Kakadu. Honestly, my first impression was: “I need to see this magical place”. After a few months, I decided to go live in Darwin – a city close to the national park – and found the perfect moment to visit, spending my birthday there on a six day adventure.
Everything about the national park was incredible. The rivers, wetlands, wildlife and cave paintings all combine to create a very special atmosphere. The Aboriginal history behind Kakadu is what stood out to me the most. Having the opportunity to see cave paintings that date back more than 20,000 years, some of them the oldest in humanity, was just fascinating!
The stories depicted in the paintings were all unique, taking inspiration from the wild nature of the surroundings. It felt special to be able to connect with these spaces and to know that for the traditional inhabitants on this corner of the planet there’s no difference between rocks, trees, animals and man because everything constitutes a unity in nature. That is Kakadu National Park – an earthly manifestation of this belief!
5 Best Adventures in Kakadu National Park
1. Take the Yellow Water Billabong Cruise
Doing the Yellow Water Billabong Cruise is a must while in Kakadu. It’s extremely impressive to see the sunrise surrounded by wildlife, the diversity of the birds flying while the sun rises and crocodiles appearing everywhere, while the colors of nature make you feel like you’re living wildly.
2. Marvel at the Ubirr Rock Art
This is the perfect place to discover the rock art of the area in more depth, learn all about Aboriginal culture and end the day by watching the sunset from a beautiful viewpoint. The rock art here is extraordinary, featuring everything from detailed depictions of turtles and fish to goanna lizards.
3. Fly Over Kakadu in a Small Plane
It’s amazing to see how enormous Kakadu National Park is from the sky. From this vantage point you’ll be able to see waterfalls, wetlands, rock formations and more. This activity makes you contemplate the grandeur of the park with more intensity, especially if you time your flight at sunset.
4. Go Swimming at Maguk Waterfall
From the moment you leave the parking lot and head to the waterfall, you enter a subclimate within the national park. Huge palm trees surround you, the walk takes you by a river and then you get the chance to swim in pristine waters. It’s a surreal experience. Highly recommended!
5. Walk the Trail to Yurmikmik Falls
I loved this destination as it’s not frequently visited. You need to take a walk of approximately an hour to get there. Yurmikmik Falls is a place straight out of a fairytale: a waterfall in the middle of giant rock formations. The sense of peace, tranquility and silence found here is indescribable.
Where to Stay in Kakadu National Park
When it comes to accommodation in Kakadu, I can definitely recommend Cooinda Lodge Kakadu. I had the opportunity to stay in one of their glamping sites which was a wonderful experience. The facilities were top-notch and all the amenities to make you feel comfortable could be found.
I also stayed at the camping area which was great. The complex is equipped with a restaurant, a buffet breakfast, swimming pools, a cinema under the stars and recreational activities are offered in the right season. If I had to recommend one place in the park, it would be this. Plus, the location is perfect as a base for exploring all that the park has to offer.
Tips for Visiting Kakadu National Park
My journey through Kakadu was an epic discovery, one which allowed me to connect with nature and Australia’s Aboriginal history. This corner of the planet – weaving rivers, wetlands, rock formations and wildlife together in a symphony – became my adventure canvas for six unforgettable days.
Choosing to explore Kakadu National Park independently gave me the freedom to immerse myself in the authenticity of each location, from the amazing Yellow Water Billabong Cruise to the centuries-old cave paintings of Ubirr. The majesty seen from the sky, aboard a small plane, elevated my perspective of Kakadu’s grandeur – while Maguk Waterfall and Yurmikmik Falls revealed themselves like hidden gems, each with their own magic.
Staying at Cooinda Lodge Kakadu, whether in the unique glamping site or in the cozy campsite, added comfort to my experience – making it the perfect starting point to explore nature. All in all, it was an epic experience!
My advice for future adventurers is to embrace Kakadu in the dry season, arm yourself with a 4×4 vehicle and explore with an open heart. It’s best to explore the park independently (the way I did). This offers more adventure, but keep in mind that most places can only be accessed with a 4×4 vehicle and most of them are remote where you have to drive for a long time. Tours are still an option for those who want a little more relaxation.
No matter how you choose to travel around Kakadu National Park make sure you pack the right hiking shoes and head off the beaten track to absorb the essence of the park – its history, biodiversity and the magic revealed at sunset. In every corner of Kakadu, I experienced the earthly manifestation of an ancient belief: that everything in nature is a unit.
This journey, which began with the desire to expand my being, became an adventure that awakened my spirit and left indelible marks on my heart. Kakadu isn’t just another destination – it’s a place to explore, learn and, above all, to connect with the boundless energy and power of our planet.
I hope every adventurer can immerse themselves in this hidden gem – being surprised by the beauty that awaits at every sunset, every waterfall and every magical corner of the park. May Kakadu National Park inspire you to venture outside your comfort zone and find solace in nature!
