The Top End of Australia is a tropical oasis. The terrain changes as dramatically as the seasons do, and the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park and remote Arnhem Land are perfect examples of how vast and diverse it is.
WORDS Ella Chronowski
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is an enormous biodiverse nature reserve. Listed as a World Heritage site for both culture and natural outstanding universal values, the 20,000 square kilometre terrain is home to wetlands, rivers, sandstone escarpments and prehistoric Aboriginal rock art.
Image credit: Tourism NT & @helloemilie
As Australia’s biggest national park the ancient landscapes tell more than two billion years of the earth’s geological history. Wildlife is important to the environment with a significant amount of land, sea and sky animals calling Kakadu home. In Kakadu National Park there are:
- 77 specials of mammals, nearly a quarter of Australia’s land mammals
- 271 species of birds, more than one-third of Australia’s bird species
- 132 reptile species and 27 frogs
- 314 specials of fish
Image credit: Tourism NT & Tourism Australia
Kakadu’s landscapes adapt to the dramatic seasons of the Northern Territory. The rainfalls from the wet season create a sea of shallow freshwater for hundreds of kilometres. The river’s wind their way towards the Van Dieman Gulf, moving past twenty-two species of mangroves, important feeding and breeding grounds for native wildlife.
Kakadu is extremely important to Aboriginal people, The Bininj/Mungguy people have lived and cared for this country for tens of thousands of years, with many communities still living in the region. The prehistoric rock art sites of Kakadu tell creation stories and are considered one of the longest history records of any group of people in the world. There are 5,000 recorded art sites in Kakadu, with a further 10,000 sites thought to exist.
Arnhem Land
As the spiritual heart of Australia, Arnhem Land (Miwatj) is home to the oldest surviving culture in human history. Stretching over 97,000 square kilometres, the untamed wilderness is a place of natural beauty, with intricate river systems and lush mangroves full of life.
Maningrida is one of the largest remote towns in the Northern Territory. Located in West Arnhem Land at the mouth of the Liverpool River, travellers need a permit from the Northern Land council to visit. Maningrida’s is an ideal fishing destination with the waterways full of barramundi, salmon, Spanish mackerel, coral trout and golden snapper.
Just a short drive out of Maningrida, Barramundi Lodge is Outback Spirit’s exclusive accommodation in West Arnhem Land. 12 luxury tended safari suites are nestled in the native bushland and enjoy spectacular view over the Tomkinson River floodplains. Each safari tent features luxe linen, a private balcony, and an en suite bathroom.
Together, the Liverpool, Tomkinson and Goomadeer Rivers make up an intricate river system spanning hundreds of kilometres. The rivers and associated billabongs support rainforest vegetations, freshwater turtles, crocodiles, waterbird feeding and nesting and barramundi.
Get a taste of the Top End on the new 8-day all-inclusive Arnhem Land & Kakadu Explorer tour. You’ll experience the highlights of both spectacular and remote locales while travelling with the experts in small group outback touring in comfort with meals, beverages, entry permits and flights during the tour all included.
Header image credit: Tourism NT & Sean Scott