AFTER one of the wettest wet seasons for years, Kakadu is looking in perfect condition for the coming peak ‘dry’ season.
Kakadu Tourism, the region’s largest hotel and tour operator, has announced a range of exciting initiatives to make visits even more attractive this season.
The famous Crocodile Hotel (“The Croc” or Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel) has completed an upgrade of its rooms and included furnishings with Indigenous styling by local artists.
The hotel last year appointed an Indigenous artist in residence, who works with other artists to create works at the hotel’s Ochre Art Gallery. The gallery showcases one of the largest collections of traditional Aboriginal art in the Top End and the largest range of Kakadu and Arnhemland art in the country.
Cooinda also offers safari-style tented accommodation from late June for the dry season. The small tent village is set in a shady area of the campgrounds with access to quality share cooking and bathroom/laundry facilities.
Special Yellow Water Fishing charters will be available throughout the season, and Cooinda general manager Brett Skinner predicts a bumper season for fishing enthusiasts.
“Billabongs have had a great flush, and if we go on the results from the last similar wet, in 2012, anglers will be rewarded with brilliant barramundi fishing conditions across the season,” he said.
Spirit of Kakadu 4WD adventure tours will operate from this month to take visitors to some of the national park’s most spectacular natural attractions such as Jim Jim and Twin Falls. Free ranger-guided tours are available daily during the dry season at some of Kakadu’s most significant rock art sites including Ubirr and Nourlangie.
Park rangers also offer slide shows and information sessions throughout the year.
The Warradjan and Bowali Cultural Centres are open all year and provide an invaluable insight into the culture and story of Kakadu’s traditional owners, the Bininj and Mungguy people.
