Kakadu National Park

Kakakdu, the largest national park in Australia (it covers an incomprehensible 20,000 square kilometres) and internationally recognised for its exceptional beauty and unique biodiversity, was our next stop. 

Not only is it HUGE, it's also pretty important. 

According to UNESCO, who added it to the World Heritage list, it 'preserves the greatest variety of ecosystems on the Australian continent', 'has a huge diversity of flora and is one of the least impacted areas of the northern part of the Australian continent'.

Its diversity has allowed for continuous inhabitance for nearly 50,000, with the traditional owners of the land being the Bininj/Mungguy clan, and we were lucky enough to see art work depicting life from our hunter-gather ancestors through to the present day. 

The rock art we can see today tends to show cultural practices of the Aboriginal people and so you'll be able to pick out diagrams of animals and people from important stories. 

After gaping at these snapshots into the past we carried on our walk through the park to a special spot known as Ubirr.

This incredibly lush area is thought to have been visited by the Rainbow Serpent and for Indigenous people is reserved only for women.

It is traditionally believed that during 'the Dreaming', the Rainbow Serpent made her way across this land breathing life into existence.

Even to us non-natives, the vastness, the green-ness, the sheer peacefulness certainly had an air of spirituality.

 

Many people visit nearing sunset which I can only imagine would be incredible but, unfortunately, we were marched back down to the bus. I could have sat there all day looking out at that 'exceptional beauty' and would wholeheartedly recommend spending as much time at this spot as you can.

The fun didn't stop there during our Kakadu trip though, as we headed over to Gunlom Falls.

It may have been Winter in Darwin but it was boiling hot so we made the perilous and sweaty climb up to cool off in the 3 popular pools.

Set over three levels, where that child in blue is clambering over the ledge, there's another drop down to natural shower, a shallow paddling pond and slippery rocks to sunbathe on. I would have taken my camera but I didn't trust myself not to drop it 200ft to the bottom.

The levels of pools creates a natural infinity pool providing incredible views out across the park.

Just don't look down!

If you'd like more information about the area, the culture and how to visit click here!