Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park's highlights aren’t just about visiting the waterfalls or the aboriginal art sites - it's about the outback living experience. Whether you're on a Kakadu tour or doing a self drive; camping in the wilderness surrounded by various species of wildlife and sweeping landscapes is a great adventure.

In Kakadu there are more campsites than hotels and hostels. Camping provides you with the freedom to venture where you like in the park, without having to worry about driving large distances back to a hotel or hostel at night to sleep. It is more convenient; as well as being a cheaper option for travellers. 

Depending on whether you're on a Kakadu tour or doing a self drive, not all camp sites are free. Just be wary that certain sites do require a service charge.

In general there are two types of camping grounds within Kakadu National Park. They include managed and stray camp sites. 

Managed camp sites require a fee. This money goes towards the governing body who maintains the area. Managed camp sites are usually located near generators, flushing toilets, picnic tables, cooking facilities and hot water. The cost for camping in these areas around AUD $10 per person per night. The fees are normally collected on site during the dry season. During the wet season (November - February) you may need to pay in advance at the Bowali Visitor Centre. It is a good ide

Stray camp sites are free. However, some of them are starting to charge a camping fee which is approximately $5 per person per night. Here you won’t find many facilities. Bush toilets and sometimes a fire pit for cooking is all that's available and if you're planning on making a fire; it's a good idea to collect some dead wood before you get there.
Keep in mind also that most stray camp sites only have 4WD roads to access them.
These types of camp sites are popular with Kakadu tours, so you may find yourself sharing the area with other foreigners.

Availability can be an issue during the dry season ( March - October ) which is the peak season for travellers visiting Kakadu National Park. If you need to know what camp sites will be available during the time you want to visit the area, contact the Bowali Visitor Centre. You can also download the Kakadu National Park Map to check out camp site locations.

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Many visitors to Kakadu National Park can find it difficult and and sometimes confusing to figure out when is the best time to go on a Kakadu Tour. The is partly due to the unique weather patterns of the Northern Territory of Australia. Most travellers aren't accustomed to our tropical cycle which consists of the Wet and Dry periods.

In the following article, I'll will explain both seasons along with their benefits and falls.

The Dry Season ( June - September )

This is generally considered the most popular time of year for visitors to either participate in a Kakadu tour or drive themselves.
This time of year is characterised by low humidity levels and temperatures ( Average 29 degrees celsius ). It's also the more "touristy" time of year with very little rain fall. During the beginning of the dry season most of Kakadu's attractions are open to the public and are still flowing with water for those who like waterfalls and gorges to swim in. However, later in the dry season many of waterfalls tend to dry up.

With low humidity levels and temperatures during the day comes cold nights in Kakadu. Temperatures can drop to nearly 3 degrees and if your spending the night on a Kakadu tour or self drive, its recommended that you bring warm clothing and a good sleeping bag to keep you warm during the night.

Prices during the Dry tend to be a lot higher than the wet for both Kakadu tours and accommodation in Darwin. You can expect to pay an extra $50 per person for a tour than the wet, and prices for a hostel bed can almost double in price.

However popular this time of year is, its also the school holidays and travellers can sometimes find themselves sharing Kakadu park with hundred of locals who are out on holiday.

Wet Season ( October - March )

The Wet season is characterised by high humidity levels and high temperatures during the day ( average 36 degrees celsius ). This time of the year is famous for its large amounts of rainfall, storms, lightning and even cyclones. For travellers embarking on a Kakadu tour or self driving can find it difficult and many of the roads during this period are subject to flooding and destruction and many of the waterfalls and billabongs close down as they can be too dangerous to the public.

If your travelling during this time, make sure you check the weather reports to see if there are any weather hazards. The Topend is exposed the cyclones, sometimes big ones, every year and being prepared can save you from drama!

Pricing on tours and accommodation Darwin can be dramatically lower than the dry which is good for budget travellers. If you look hard you can generally find great bargains and deals for tours and places to sleep.

If you plan to travel to Kakadu National Park during the wet, its recommended that you bring cool/light clothing, sunscreen, hat and be sure to drink plenty of water. With large amounts of rainfall, comes plenty of breeding grounds for irritating insects such as mosquitoes, and if your going on a Kakadu tour or driving yourself, insect repellent is a must.

Average Temperatures for Kakadu National Park 

Aboriginal Weather Forecasting

Kakadu National Park's traditional inhabitants still live within the park and still practice their old ways of telling the weather. The aboriginals understand the seasons and cycles that Kakadu go through and depend on them for their lively hood. Animal behaviour, food sources and the landscape all change along with the weather.
Rather than having two seasons, the Aboriginals have devised a system consisting of six seasons.
To find out about these seasons visit Aboriginal weather.

Conclusion

The dry season is an easy time to see Kakadu National Park. Many of the attractions are open and the weather is good! However, prices tend to be a bit higher and you can find yourself paying more for tours and accommodation. This is due to supply and demand.
Although the wet season is hard and uncomfortable, this is when Kakadu is truly. Everywhere you'll find animals of all sorts, greenery and plenty of excitement. Travelling in the wet is hard but the rewards, memories and overall experience is well worth it. 

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Do it yourself, or jump on a tour? This is an age old question asked by many travellers who cant decide whether to drive to Kakadu themselves, or jump on a Kakadu tour. And realistically, it boils down to the individuals personal taste or also what he/she wants to achieve. There are pros and cons about both of these options, so lets analyse them separately.

Kakadu Tours

Pros:

• On a tour you are given a tour guide. This is probably one of the best reasons for a tour. Your guide is knowledgable, experienced and will keep you safe. He/she also knows exactly where to go and how long it will take to get there... And this is a good thing when your travelling in a national park thats roughly the size of a small european country! 
• Food is provided, prepared and cooked for you. 
• Camping equipment is provided. If your simply passing through Darwin, and you don't have the gear, this is definitely a highlight.
• Vehicle is provided. This is another great positive for Kakadu tours. In case your not aware, Kakadu can be quiet hard to drive through and can add a lot of wear and tear to your vehicle. Why not let the tour operator worry about this whilst you focus on enjoying the park. Not to mention, if you plan to see waterfalls or the south end of the park, many of the roads are 4WD only and many car hires will not let you drive down these roads.
• Travelling in groups can be both a positive and negative. However, it is still a great way to meet people and have a good time.
• Satellite phones. Most operators carry these on board, so if there is an emergency, help is not far away.

Cons

• Kakadu tours can sometimes be more expensive than hiring your own car and doing it yourself
• If your not a peoples person, then being in a group may not be to your liking.
• Your not free to do as you please. Because your on tour with a select tour itinerary, its not possible to "go where you like". 
• Many visitors travel to Australia to find that sense of adventure. Jumping on a tour can definitely subtract from that overall sense where as driving to Kakadu yourself can really evoke a feeling of accomplishment and adventure.

Self Driving to Kakadu National Park

Pros

• Total freedom to do as you please. You can plan where you want to go, how much time you want to spend there and how you going to get there.
• You can choose who your travelling with. Unlike a Kakadu tour where your forced to travel with unknown strangers, you can go with all your buddies, or maybe even a romantic get away for two.
• Self Drive is generally cheaper in some cases than booking a Kakadu tour. If you have your own car and camping equipment, then this is probably the way to go. 
• You don't have to return back to Darwin. Is it especially useful if your on your way out of Darwin on the way to, for example, Cairns.

Cons

• If you don't have your own car and equipment, doing a self drive can often work out to cost the same if not more than a tour.
• Kakadu National Park is fairly big ( 3.2 million acres ) and if you don't know what your doing, it can be a little tricky navigating through.
• If your travelling during the wet season ( Oct - Mar ) then it can be extremely hard and dangerous to drive through here. Many of the roads are under water. Its easy to get stuck or bogged if your not an experienced driver or don't have a 4WD.
• No tour guide. Kakadu has many hidden treasures, and without a tour guide, it may be hard to find some of these. Some involve walking through the bush for hours, but the journey's are well worth it.

Overall

It is generally recommended that travellers take a Kakadu tour rather than driving themselves, especially during the wet season ( Oct - Mar ). However, these days Kakadu National Park is become more and more user friendly in terms of roads and navigation signs. There are also self drive tours available that give you the road worthy vehicles and equipment necessary to allow you to travel your own way. 

Hopefully this article has helped! Just remember to play it safe.

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