Kudjewk Season Update

Welcome to the monsoon season—January to March, known to locals as Kudjewk!

Nature comes alive in a stunning performance—thunder echoes like applause, and rain pirouettes across the land. Towering speargrass (manbedje) blankets the woodlands in silvery-green splendour. 

Rising waters send magpie geese (manimunak) soaring overhead, while goannas (bikku) and snakes (nayin) climb to higher ground. For the local Aboriginal people, it’s a time of abundance, with eggs (wirlarrk) and stranded animals providing seasonal feasts.

Yes, you should go to Kakadu in wet season

Australian Traveller Article by Jennifer Pinkerton

What sites are open January to March?

It's always a good idea to visit Kakadu Parks access report, no matter what time of year you're visiting Kakadu! In a typical wet season, we encourage our guests to visit the following attractions during this time:

Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock Art Site

Standing as a testament to Kakadu's World Heritage status, Burrungkuy/Nourlangie is the key attribute in its cultural significance. Renowned for its astounding rock art, this iconic site chronicles life in Kakadu National Park, capturing the moments leading up to the first encounters with European explorers. A 1.5 km circular walk leads to the base, with wheelchair-accessible sections, immersing all visitors in a visual odyssey through time—an open-air cultural museum. Here, paintings, shelters, and artefacts vividly showcase traditional ways of life from various epochs, offering a captivating glimpse into the rich heritage of the area.

Warradjan Cultural Centre

Warradjan encapsulates the history of Aboriginal culture in Kakadu, with an interactive museum, art exhibit and meeting place to sit on country and weave with Bininj artists and Murumburr Traditional Owners. Warradjan's exhibit is curated by and central to the local Bininj/Mungguy (Aboriginal) community, and it tells the stories of of their land, people and Dreamtime. Warradjan is the Kundjeyhmi word for Pig-Nosed Turtle, an inhabitant of the nearby Ngurrungurrudjba (Yellow Water Billabong) and native species found within Kakadu National Park. This is significant not only for its name, but also for the salient shape of the building, which reflects circular gatherings and way of communication for Bininj/Mungguy people.

Ikoymarrawa Rock Hole 

Lower Ikoymarrwa Falls, also known as Moline Rock Hole, is a shaded freshwater haven, conveniently located just a short stroll from the carpark. Ideal for a refreshing dip, this hidden gem is best explored during the early dry season, from April to June, when the weather is perfect for outdoor adventures and the falls are still flowing from the wet season. Make sure to pack your snorkelling gear, as the crystal-clear waters reveal an underwater world teeming with small fish. If luck is on your side, you might even share the aquatic space with a warradjan (pig-nosed turtle)!

Bowali Visitor Centre

Open year-round from 8am-5pm, Bowali is a focal point for travellers seeking information, guidance, and inspiration for their Kakadu adventure. Staffed by knowledgeable experts, the Bowali Visitor Centre offers comprehensive resources, including maps, exhibits, and interactive displays that provide valuable insights into the park's diverse ecosystems, Indigenous heritage, and unique flora and fauna. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or a first-time visitor, Bowali is a great starting point to your holiday, ensuring that every visitor is well-equipped to explore and appreciate the richness of Kakadu's landscapes and cultural significance.

Nawurlandja Lookout

Boasting a panorama of views across Anbangbang Billabong to Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock) and the Arnhem Land escarpment, this lookout is the ultimate spot for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Unlike many of Kakadu's popular attractions, Nawurlandja is not confined by seasons, offering impressive vistas year-round. Whether visitors choose to embark on the short 600m trail to Nawurlandja viewpoint at the break of dawn or during the golden hues of late afternoon, it is sure to provide an insta-worthy perspective. Additionally, during the tropical summer, Nawurlandja transforms into a theatre for the dramatic display of storms rolling in, adding an extra layer of awe to this already captivating destination.

Mamukala Wetlands

Kakadu, housing one-third of Australia's bird species, boasts an array of avian wonders not found elsewhere on the globe. From magpie geese and kites to jacanas, cormorants, willie wagtails, swamp hens, finches, and kingfishers, Mamukala wetland stands as one of Kakadu's premier birdwatching destinations. Nature enthusiasts may be rewarded with glimpses of agile wallabies or the occasional crocodile, gracefully loitering along the billabong's edge. Photography enthusiasts will find ample opportunities for capturing close-up shots without disturbing the indigenous fauna. Accessibility is prioritised, with the bird hide accommodating wheelchair users, though the initial loop walk, while unsealed, promises a flat terrain for all to explore.

Marrawuddi Arts & Culture

Located in the Jabiru township, the repurposed bakery now serves as a community hub, art gallery and coffee shop that is owned and operated by the Mirrar community. The establishment welcomes over 500 local artists from Kakadu and West Arnhem Land, creating a dynamic environment where artists and visitors alike can immerse themselves in the wealth of Kakadu's Indigenous culture. Marrawuddi Arts and Culture is a living testament to the thriving community, bridging cultural tradition with contemporary expression.

What Tours are Operating?

Yes, tours remain in operation daily throughout Kakadu during the wet season! Yellow Water Cruises depart from Home Billabong, accessible from Cooinda Lodge. The new Wetland Cultural Cruise offers an exclusive experience on an electric boat with a Bininj guide and native bush food canapés. Scenic flights showcase breathtaking wet season views, with waterfalls at their most dramatic. For a quick escape from Darwin, explore day trips or multi-day tours to Kakadu. See what's available below!