FAQ

Kakadu has wet and dry seasons, but for most of the year, Kakadu offers a feast of sight-seeing opportunities for visitors that can be adapted to fit the climate. It is generally dry from April through to the end of October, but even during the ‘wet’ or ‘green’ season much of the day can be fine, with rainfall occurring in short, sharp storms. Kakadu Tourism offers a range of itineraries to fit the season, and visitors can be guaranteed that whenever they visit Kakadu, they will be able to participate in memorable experiences

All Visitors to the park must purchase a park pass. Territory residents and infants can travel free of charge. Park passess can be purchased at Cooinda Lodge reception or Bowali Visitor Centre. For more information please check out the Kakadu National Park Website www.parksaustralia.gov.au.

It is always advisable to call into the National Parks centre at Bowali near Jabiru for the latest updates. Road conditions and accessibility is updated regularly on the website parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/access/

It is not essential, but a sturdy 4WD with high wheel clearance will be an advantage in accessing many of Kakadu’s most famous attractions, such as Twin Falls, Jim Jim Falls and Maguk, but other attractions – including Gunlom, Nourlangie Rock, Yellow Water Billabong and Ubirr are accessible by standard cars.

The Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru offer’s the region’s highest levels of accommodation, as well as easy accessibility to attractions such as Ubirr. Tours of Kakadu will usually pick up from the Crocodile Hotel as well. Cooinda has more accommodation options and is located right next to Yellow Water Billabong, home to Yellow Water Cruises. It is also the base for the Spirit of Kakadu 4WD Adventure Tours. For stays of three days or more, a combination of the two can be the best option. See itineraries.

Both cruises are equally as good but offer very different views of Yellow Water. Animal movements can vary according to the day, colours change dramatically and there is always something new to see. The birdlife is wide awake in the morning when the air is still cool and if you are a keen bird-watcher we recommend you join us for a sunrise cruise. Our resident crocodiles prefer the warmer waters in the late afternoon and the sunset cruise usually has a visit from a saltie or two. This is why we highly recommend taking advantage of our cruise again special to experience both cruise times.

While we obviously cannot guarantee animal sightings, it is rare that you won’t spot at least one during the drier months. During the wet season when the water levels are high, the crocs have more places to hide and can be harder to spot.

Jim Jim and Twin Falls are only accessible throughout the drier months, usually June to October. Kakadu National Park rangers will only open the falls when they feel the access roads are safe to travel and they have completed their crocodile surveys. When the roads are closed a scenic flight is a fantastic way to see the region or splash out on a once in a life time helicopter ride over the falls.

Our adventure tour visits two waterholes within the park. Depending on the time of year, weather and road conditions possible itineraries include Motorcar Falls, Boulder Creek, Gubarra Rock Pools, Ikyomarrawa Rock Hole, Maguk Gorge, or Gunlom Falls.

Swimming in Kakadu is at your own risk and it is essential to observe all warning signs. Kakadu Park rangers do their best to remove saltwater crocodiles from popular waterholes, however, crocodiles have been known to move into these areas undetected.

Twin Falls is part of the Jim Jim creek system and this creek does not dry out in the peak season making it difficult to ensure saltwater crocodiles are removed from the area. Twin Falls is also a sacred site for the local indigenous people and the traditional owners of the area request that you respect their land by not swimming at the base of the falls.

Cooinda is 56km from the township of Jabiru and it is advised to allow 45 minutes to complete the journey.

If you are travelling during the peak months of June to September it is highly recommended to book a powered site, however, we have over 200 unpowered sites and we operate these on a first in best dressed basis.

All of our lodge rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, however, none of our rooms have full cooking facilities. There is a camp kitchen in the campground that everyone is more than welcome to use and several barbeques on site for guest use.

Unfortunately we currently do not offer this service.

The pontoon for loading is wheelchair accessible, however, guests do need to be able to traverse the 1m ramp from pontoon to boat. Motorised wheelchairs cannot access the area. Cooinda Lodge is wheelchair accessible, however, there is a small step into each room. The Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel has wheelchair access rooms available.

Infants are 4 years and under and are free of charge on our Yellow Water Cruises. Children are aged 5 to 15.

At Cooinda Lodge our family rooms sleep a maximum of 4; 2 adults and 2 children. Alternatively the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel has interconnecting rooms available.

Is there public transport or car hire available within the park? There is no public transport or car hire within Kakadu National Park. Greyhound operate a Darwin to Jabiru service three days a week. For more information visit www.greyhound.com.au.

It is strongly advised not to travel within the park after dark due to the wide variety of nocturnal wildlife. The majority of car rental agencies will not insure vehicles on the road after dark. Wallabies, dingoes and buffalo are frequently spotted on the roadside at dawn and dusk.