Kakadu Bird Week 2026
Bird Week is a spectacular event that coincides with the dramatic mass migration. Birds flock to Yellow Waters to feed, creating a breathtaking spectacle as the waters recede towards the end of the dry season.
When
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 (all day)
Duration
5d
Information
Kakadu National Park is a Bird Lover's Paradise!
Wednesday 23rd to Sunday 27th September 2026
Join us for unforgettable days of expert-led walks, birdwatching cruises, talks and cultural demonstrations.
Bird Week is a spectacular event that coincides with the dramatic mass migration of magpie geese. These magnificent birds flock to the billabongs, like Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba), to feed, creating a breathtaking spectacle as the waters recede towards the end of the dry season. This is the perfect time to witness not only the diverse birdlife but also Kakadu's impressive array of exotic wildlife, including crocodiles, buffalo, brumbies, and wallabies.
Visitors during Bird Week are in for a treat with expert lectures, captivating cultural events, and guided birdwatching tours. Stay tuned for the full details of Bird Week, which will be available on our website as the festival approaches!
Kurrung season is a great time to visit Kakadu — expect hot weather, fewer crowds and more wildlife.
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Discover Bird Week Events:
Yellow Water Cruises
2HR — 6:45 am, 9:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:15 pm and 4:30 pm (Daily)
Join us for a special morning or afternoon cruise during Kakadu Bird Week and enjoy front-row seats to one of Australia’s greatest wildlife spectacles.
The iconic Yellow Water Billabong — nestled within Kakadu National Park — is home to more than 280 bird species. During Bird Week, timed with seasonal mass migration, the billabongs come alive as flocks gather in extraordinary numbers, creating a rare and vibrant display of colour, sound and movement.
Bring your binoculars, pack your zoom lens, and prepare for an unforgettable encounter with Kakadu’s rich birdlife.
book tickets now Download Yellow Water Guidebook
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Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Region Sandstone Birding Tour with NT Bird Specialists
6:00 am – 11:30 am, 27 September 2026
Come and explore the birds of central Kakadu stone country and wetlands, home to an array of endemic monsoon-dwellers: black-banded fruit-dove, white-lined honeyeater and rainbow pitta.
Make the most out of learning how to identify tricky little brown birds with your expert bird guide Luke Paterson amongst Kakadu’s magnificent Aboriginal rock art.
Other wildlife may include the black wallaroo (barrk). Morning tea is provided.
Hosted by NT Bird Specialists
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Nanguluwurr walk with NT Bird Specialists
5:30 am – 11:00 am, Thursday 24 September 2026
This 3.5 km return walk (flat with some rocky steps) has a mix of stone country, woodland and monsoon forest habitat and provides quiet refuge for arafura and sandstone shrike-thrush and other specialities like chestnut-quilled rock-pigeon & helmeted Friarbird (sandstone race) living amongst fascinating rock art painted over the ages.
Morning tea is provided.
Hosted by NT Bird Specialists
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5-day Kakadu birdwatching, wildlife and nature tour with NT Bird Specialists
26-30 September 2026
The 5 day tour provides fantastic chances to view and photograph Kakadu's incredible birdlife and obscure and iconic wildlife in diverse world heritage habitats.
Rainbow Pitta, Hooded Parrot, Gouldian Finch and diverse waterbirds and stand-outs along with Frill-neck Lizard, Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles, Antilopine and Black Wallaroo.
You'll also explore Aboriginal rock art sites and cruise Ramsar-listed waterways.
Includes: All-inclusive accommodation, meals, commercial tourism transport and driver, expert guiding, permits, insurance and more.
Excludes: Flights, visas, travel insurance, beverages, personal items.
Hosted by NT Bird Specialists
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East Alligator Region Monsoon Forest Birding Tour with NT Bird Specialists
5:30 am – 11:00 am, Saturday 26 September 2026
Venture to north-east Kakadu to explore sandstone country and riverine monsoon forests searching for: rainbow pitta, rose-crowned fruit-dove, pacific baza and arafura fantail.
Other wildlife includes saltwater crocodiles and black flying foxes.
Up to 3 km walk, mostly flat with possible rocky sections. Morning tea is provided.
Hosted by NT Bird Specialists
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South Alligator Region Wetlands Birding Tour with NT Bird Specialists
5:30 am – 11:00 am, Friday 25 September 2026
Search wetlands and paperbark forest for shorebirds and bush birds including little curlew, Australian bustard, red-backed fairy-wren, partridge pigeon & cuckoo species.
Capture Kakadu’s feathered beauties in gorgeous natural light and learn about ethical bird and wildlife photography with your expert bird photography guide, Luke Paterson. Morning tea is provided.
Hosted by NT Bird Specialists
For all event details, visit Kakadu Parks.
