Kakadu is a vast area in the Top End of the Northern Territory, about twenty thousand square kilometres of floodplains, escarpments, billabongs and savanna woodland, and it is one of the few places in the world that has been given World Heritage status for both its natural and cultural values. The name is said to derive from Gagudju, a language spoken by Aboriginal people in the northern part of the park. Aboriginal people have lived here for tens of thousands of years, and the park is owned by its Aboriginal traditional owners and leased to the national parks service.
The rock art is the cultural treasure. Thousands of paintings are spread across galleries at sites such as Ubirr and Nourlangie, showing animals, spirit beings, hunters and, in some cases, ships and guns of early European and Macassan visitors, so the paintings form a record of an extraordinary span of time. Some places are sacred or restricted, so follow signs, stay on marked paths, and listen to ranger-led talks where they are offered.
Nature is just as strong a draw. The wetlands of Yellow Water teem with birds, including jabirus, magpie geese and sea eagles, and saltwater crocodiles lurk in the water, so keep well back from the edge and never swim in unmarked waters. The seasons are dramatic. The dry season from May to October is hot and clear, with burnt grasslands and good access, while the wet season from November to April brings storms, flooding and closed roads. Mornings and evenings are the best times to see wildlife.
The Arnhem Highway and the Kakadu Highway are sealed and straightforward, and riders can travel them easily in the dry season, though many tracks into the park's attractions are gravel and may be closed in the wet. Heat is intense, and road trains and wandering wildlife demand attention. A park pass is required. Fuel is available at Jabiru and Cooinda, but distances are long and prices high, so carry spare capacity and plenty of water. Book accommodation ahead in the dry season.