Curious creatures and wildlife

Kakadu National Park

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Explore Yellow Water and Mamukala, wetland areas of international significance. Over 1,000 plant species, a quarter of all Australian freshwater fish species, and over one third of all Australian bird species can be found in the park.

Kakadu’s landscapes have been shaped by water with the Mary, Wildman, West Alligator, South Alligator and East Alligator Rivers teeming with wildlife. During the Top End Summer, waterfalls along the Arnhem Land escarpment are at their most spectacular, the lowlands are flooded, and the vegetation is lush. Late in the dry season large flocks of magpie geese, whistling ducks, spoonbills, egrets and jabirus congregate around the remaining waterholes.

Mamukala Wetlands

Open daily, subject to weather conditions.

In the dry season, Mamukala Wetlands and Bird Hide displays the spectacle of thousands of magpie geese and whistling ducks congregating to feed. You can watch them from one of the bird hides or amble along the marked walking trails beside the tranquil wetlands. Walks vary from one to three kilometres.

Cahill’s Crossing

During the dry season the platform at the river-crossing from Kakadu into Arnhem Land is a fantastic and popular place to watch crocodiles in action.

The best time to see them here is at high tide. A tide over six metres pushes up over the crossing, bringing bait fish like mullet and barramundi, and the crocs move downstream to wait for these treats. Beware of crocodiles, do not cross on foot.

Yellow Water Billabong

Yellow Water is one of Kakadu’s best-known landmarks. Located near Cooinda Lodge, Yellow Water is home to crocodiles, birds, barramundi and other wildlife. The billabong, which floods to join other waterways during the Top End Summer, attracts millions of birds each year, including jacana, egrets, jabiru, sea eagles, magpie geese and a number of migratory bird species. Paperbark forests, pandanus and freshwater mangroves line the banks, and the water is dotted with beautiful pink and white waterlilies. Explore the billabong by joining a wildlife cruise, or witness an unforgettable sunset from the boardwalk and viewing platform