Latest news
Welcome to the latest news page for Kakadu National Park. As you can see, there is always lots going on! Feel free to pass these stories around or contact us if you would like more information.
Tourism industry update 7 | 24 May 2012
Download update 7 | 2012 (PDF - 536 KB)
- Maguk - opening very soon
- Croc update - Jim Jim and Twin Falls
- Special permits update
- Ikoymarrwa (Moline Rockhole) access
- Feral animal control program
Tourism industry update 6 | 11 May 2012
Download update 6 | 2012 (PDF - 977 KB)
- Gunlom now open
- Free seasonal ranger activities begin
- Special permits - applications close 16 May 2012
- Yegge photo gallery
Traditional weaving | Sharon Davies
Free seasonal ranger program begins in Kakadu | 14 May 2012
From now until October, come and join our seasonal rangers for free talks, guided walks, cultural activities and slideshows on offer across all seven Kakadu regions.
The seasonal ranger program runs from Monday 14 May - Sunday 7 October 2012.
Tourism industry update 5 | 2 May 2012
2 May 2012 | Download update 5 | 2012 (PDF - 361 KB)
- Lots of new sites open up as the new season, Yegge, rolls in
- Applications open for interim round of special permits
- Temporary closure of parts of East Alligator River to fishing
- Seasonal ranger activities to start soon
Na Godjok Nayinggul | 10 July 1943 to 3 January 2012
Temporary fishing closure for cultural reasons | 2 May 2012
As part of traditional Aboriginal funeral practices, the East Alligator River upstream of Cahill's Crossing will be temporarily closed to fishing from 7 May until 13 July 2012.
The area is still open to sightseeing and boats.
The temporary closure follows the death of a very senior traditional owner, Na Godjok Nayinggul, earlier this year. Under Aboriginal custom, when someone dies places must be cleansed to allow their spirit to move on. The family asks all visitors and tour operators to follow Aboriginal cultural way in this sorry time and refrain from fishing in this part of the river.
To view the declaration and map of affected areas please click here (PDF - 839 KB).
Map | Access report | What to see in Kakadu right now
Seasonal burning | 30 April 2012
As Kakadu dries out after the monsoon season, rangers are starting to do their season burning. You might see us doing small patch burns along the Arnhem Highway over the next few days.
Please slow down when you see the smoke and drive with care. Thanks for your understanding - this is an important part of keeping Kakadu's native habitats healthy.
Doing business at Kakadu | 28 April 2012
Applications are now open to conduct the following activities in Kakadu National Park for the period 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014: guided sports fishing tours, safari camps, commercial bushwalking tours, tours to Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) and Ikoymarrwa (lower Moline Rockhole).
Find out more | Experience Kakadu
Tourism industry update 4 | 18 April 2012
18 April 2012 | Download update 4 | 2012 (PDF - 479 KB)
- News on road repairs to Gunlom/Yurmikmik
- Headquarters district update
- Ubirr opening hours and wet season key return
- Licence applications to open soon
- Calling all volunteers
- Send in your permit applications
- Park passes
Like a glimpse behind the scenes? | 10 April 2012
Why not subscribe to the Kakadu newsletter? We will send you interesting updates on life in the park and information to help you plan your trip.
Read the first edition of the Kakadu newsletter | Subscribe
See the media release | Find out what to see in the park at the moment | Experience Kakadu | More news
Nourlangie | Anja Toms
Easter in Kakadu | 4 April 2012
It's all clear skies and lush new growth as Kakadu heads into the Easter long weekend. Why not pop down to Kakadu with the family and spend a few days soaking up the sunshine?
See the media release | Find out what to see in the park at the moment | Experience Kakadu | More news
What to see in Kakadu right now | 3 April 2012
Monsoonal conditions make way for clear skies in April during Banggerreng, one of Kakadu's six seasons. There is a noticeable change in the air as humidity levels start to ease. While the days are still warm, evenings bring a hint of cooler things to come. Vast expanses of floodwater start to recede and streams begin to run clear. Spear grass which has grown to over two metres tall during Gudjewg is knocked down by strong winds that come with the occasional 'knock 'em down storm'. Wildflowers begin to bloom, plants are fruiting and animals are caring for their young.
Find out what to see in the park at the moment | Seasons
Tourism industry update 3 | 27 March 2012
27 March 2012 | Download update 3 | 2012 (PDF - 729 KB)
- An update on flooding over the Arnhem Highway and access to the park
- An update on road conditions to Kambolgie and Yurmikmik
- A tourism award for Kakadu and commercial operators
- An update on Seasonal Interpretive Ranger program
- Spotting unusual species in the park
- Feeding native animals and tips on what you can do to help
Rangers working in the field
Recognising our rangers
13 March 2012
Do you know a ranger who has made an outstanding contribution in the Northern Territory? Now is your chance to nominate them for the inaugural NT Ranger Awards!
Rangers do an amazing job across all of our parks and Indigenous Protected Areas. They have a wide range of responsibilities - from fire, weed and feral animal management to managing visitor facilities, services and safety and providing environmental and cultural education programs.
The Northern Territory Government has established the NT Ranger Awards to recognise the many achievements of the Territory's 600 plus rangers.
For more information or to nominate a ranger or ranger team visit:
nretas.nt.gov.au/national-parks-and-reserves/parks/nt-ranger-awards
Tourism industry update 2 | 6 March 2012
6 March 2012 | Download update 2 | 2012 (PDF - 500 KB)
- A reminder on the Commercial Tour Operator permit application process
- Road conditions to Yurmikmik
- Bowali Visitor Centre renovations
- The new Kakadu Management Plan
Kakadu takes home tourism honour | 3 March 2012
Kakadu has cemented its place amongst Australia's top tourism attractions, winning a coveted bronze at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards last night.
At a gala dinner in Cairns, Kakadu was named one of Australia's top three Major Tourist Attractions.
See the media release | Experience Kakadu
Have your say on the future of Kakadu | 29 February 2012
A new management plan is being developed for Kakadu National Park. You are invited to have your say on the issues it should consider.
Send us your views by Friday 13 April 2012.
Have your say | See the media release
Tourism industry update 1 | 3 February 2012
3 February 2012 | Download update 1 | 2012 (PDF - 603 KB)
- Review of Commercial Tourism Management in Kakadu
- Kakadu Walking Strategy update
- Stay safe in Kakadu this wet season
- Campground management contracts
New Commercial Tourism Management Arrangements | 2 February 2012
The Director of National Parks will be making improvements in 2013 to commercial tourism arrangements. The changes are designed to support innovative experiences and sustainable tourism. The new more flexible arrangements follow a review of commercial tourism activities in all Parks Australia's national parks and reserves. For more information see the Questions and Answers for Tour Operators.
More on Parks permits | Find out about Kakadu National Park commercial tour permits
Jeffrey Lee
Photo | James Hunt
Jeffrey Lee AM - honoured on Australia Day | 26 January 2012
Kakadu traditional owner, Jeffrey Lee, has been honoured in today's Australia Day awards as a Member of the Order of Australia. The prestigious award recognises his services to conservation, and particularly his advocacy to secure the inclusion of his ancestral lands of Koongarra in the Kakadu World Heritage Area.
Koongarra's stunning woodlands and rock art sites lie in the shadow of Nourlangie Rock, one of Kakadu's most popular visitor destinations. It was excluded from Kakadu National Park's original boundaries in 1979 because of its potential uranium resources.
Last year Jeffrey, the senior traditional owner of the Djok clan, flew to Paris to make a personal - and successful plea - to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to declare Koongarra as part of the Kakadu World Heritage Area.
Read more about Koongarra's World Heritage listing
Jeffrey speaking on YouTube | Minister Tony Burke discussing the successful World Heritage listing of Koongarra on YouTube
Na Godjok Nayinggul | 10 July 1943 to 3 January 2012
Na Godjok Nayinggul | 10 July 1943 to 3 January 2012
It is with deep sadness that we advise the passing of Na Godjok Nayinggul, senior traditional owner of the Manilakarr clan and former Chair of the Kakadu Board of Management.
Na Godjok passed away at Gunbulunya at 7.30pm on Tuesday 3 January 2012.
Na Godjok will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. We will remember his charm, his generosity, his sense of humour and the fascinating stories he told about his life growing up in the Top End.
Above all we will miss his strong leadership, gentle diplomacy and wisdom, so central to decades of his guidance of Kakadu National Park.
Na Godjok walked in both worlds, Bininj and Balanda. He was passionately committed to passing on his traditional knowledge to young generations of Bininj - and at the same time he embraced the economic and social opportunities his beloved national park could offer them, both in environmental work caring for country and in tourism, sharing culture with visitors.
He thought very carefully about his duty to both worlds. He firmly told us that when he passed away he thought it was right that his image and words remain on all Kakadu's publications, electronic or printed.
Na Godjok has left an enduring legacy to the worlds he traversed, Bininj and Balanda. We miss him - but his spirit will continue on through the management of Kakadu now and in the future.
Northern quoll | Bruce Thomson, Australian Wildlife Conservancy
Kakadu's 'smart' quolls are coming out on top | 4 January 2012
Kakadu's northern quolls have been undergoing a training program to learn not to eat cane toads.
The ABC's 7.30 Report has provided an update on how the cute little quolls are going - and it seems they are doing well! Despite still facing other predators such as feral cats, the quolls are overcoming the cane toad obstacle and battling on.
Watch the 7.30 Report | Read more about the program on our blog
