Day 15 –Jabiru (Kakadu)

This morning it was up early to beat the heat and head the 30 or so kms to the Nourlangie area to do three walks (recommended to us by the park manager). The first to Nawurlandja Lookout was a 600m relatively steep climb up a rocky (very strange pebbled, conglomerate rock) slope which then gave way to views over the nearby escarpments and billabongs. Sam was more than a little perturbed by the sign on the way in, warning of a big, bull buffalo seen in the area recently.

 

 

 Then it was off on a short walk through the woodlands to Anbangbang Billabong (once again observing the signs to keep away from the waters edge because of the saltwater crocs). What a stunning place. Abundant birdlife, including a beautiful blue bodied, copper winged bird, that darted and dived around us, lots of magpie geese, ducks, tall white egrets, and lots of other birds. A large group of kangaroos came down to drink at one end of the billabong. An absolutely magic place.

 

Next up a walk (not easy going in this 33 deg heat) up to the Nourlangie lookout. A really nice, moderately steep climb up to a lookout giving impressive views over Kakadu’s escarpment and Nourlangie Rock. Then the track wound down across several boardwalks past several outstanding aboriginal art sites. Well worth a visit.

Then it was a short drive to Yellow Waters, famous for its (very expensive) cruises on the waterways and billabong. Now they have constructed a metal boardwalk up above the billabong (hopefully out of the reach of the many big crocs that inhabit the area) which gives a fascinating short walk around the area. Once again the wetlands are teeming with wildlife in every direction. The amount and variety of birdlife here in Kakadu is simply astounding.

 

Lastly, before it got too hot, we visited the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, which gave an interesting (and air-conditioned – oh yay!), display of the local aboriginal customs and stories. Of course accompanying it was a gift shop which sells local aboriginal craftwork.

 

Too hot by lunchtime to do much else, than head back to the van, and hit the resort pool – always a welcome sight. Kakadu is a magical, very special place, and we are so very privileged to be able to share it with our kids on this amazing trip.