A wonderful trip to the Cacatu National Park

Australia attracts visitors from all over the world with its virgin nature, which practically did not suffer from the "hands" of civilization. This country is rich in protected areas, protected at the state level. National parks of Australia retain in their territories a lot of natural monuments, rare species of animals and amazing landscapes. Now let's talk about one of these places called "Kakadu".

general information

Kakadu is a national park located in the northern region of Australia. Monsoon, subequatorial climate prevails on this territory. The park is located on a hilly, canopy plateau, which gradually turns into the highlands. Its total area is 19804 km2.

Kakadu National Park was founded in 1979 on April 5 in order to preserve the natural landscapes. Also this territory is valuable from the archaeological and ethnological point of view. The entrance to the park limits is paid.

The name and history of the park

Heard the name "Kakadu", many imagine that in these parts there are many crested parrots. But in fact the park was named after the Australian tribe that lived in these places many years ago. These aborigines were called "cockatoo". By the way, the tribe lives in these places until today. They were able to maintain their culture, which they adhere to today.

Features of the park

If you look at the Kakadu National Park on the map, you can see that it is like a pearl in a beautiful frame. And indeed this wonderful place is surrounded on all sides by ledges, mountains and rocks with a height of 400 - 600 meters. So, the park was fenced off from the outside world, but inside there is a variety of animals, insects, reptiles, birds and fish.

Another feature of the park are two caves that attract history buffs. Inside, on the walls there is a rock painting, which, according to scientists, dates back to the 16th millennium BC. E.

Park flora

In northern Australia, the Kakadu National Park has the most diverse flora. There are more than 1700 varieties of plants on the register. It is also surprising that each section of the park has its own flora, which does not repeat itself in other parts of the Cacadu.

So, near the wet canyons grow monsoon forests with thorny hoods and majestic banyans. In the marshy lowlands sedge, pandans, chicken and mangrove trees predominate . In "Stone Country" conditions are complicated by unusually arid, hot seasons, which are replaced by torrential rains. To such an unfriendly weather, rock vegetation adapted. On the hills of the southern side are endemic plants. So, only here, in Kakadu grows eucalyptus koolpinensis.

Fauna of the Cockatoo

Since the Kakadu National Park has various natural conditions and vegetation, there is a huge variety of animals. Among the various living beings here live rare and endangered species, as well as endemics. But since the weather conditions here are too changeable and often extreme, most of the park's inhabitants are active only at the time of day or year suitable for them.

The Kakadu National Park has become home to 60 species of mammals. Since many of them prefer to live, tourists are rare. But, for example, eight different types of kangaroos, as well as wallabies, often come to their eyes. Also there are dingo dogs, brown bandicoots, marsupials, marsup martens, black Vallara. And in the local waters you can see dugongs.

Information for guests of the park

The cockatoo is open for a whole year. For entrance to the territory, a charge is taken. Here you can stay with a night in camping. Also here there is a settlement Jaber, where all the necessary blessings of civilization are provided. There is a hotel, a cafe and a restaurant. Also in the settlement there is a bakery, honey. Center, travel agency, supermarket, post office, bank branch. Information about the sights of the park can be obtained at the visit center "Bovali", which is located not far from Jaber. Here you can also buy interesting homemade souvenirs made by local Aboriginal people.

Australia's national parks differ in size and Cockatoo is no exception. Its territory is so large that it is impossible to get around in one day. For tourists in the park there are various routes. Hiking trips can take place along the monsoon forest or near ponds along special trails.

Also on the main sights you can go with an automobile excursion. There is an opportunity to go alone on a jeep to the Kulpin Gorge and spend the night there in the canyon. But trips are possible only in a certain period, because during the rainy season many landscapes of the park remain flooded.

In Kakadu excursions are organized along the Alligator river. It offers an amazing opportunity to admire the unusual Australian birds and see the crocodiles in their habitat.

To embrace the scale of the park and admire its beauty from a height, flights are carried out on light-engine aircraft. You can organize such a trip at the airport Jaber.

Location

But where is Kakadu Park and how can you get to it? In fact, it is not difficult to find it. It is located on the peninsula of Arnhem Land in the northern part of Australia. If you go from Darwin by car to the east along Arnhem Highway, in three hours you will arrive in this amazing area.