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| Kakadu National Park from the air. |
Kakadu National Park
is an area of 20,000 sq. km (7,720 sq. mi) lying about 150 km (90 mi) east of
Darwin, and is the largest national park in Australia. It includes the whole of
the South Alligator River, which is actually home to a large crocodile
population, and various other habitats including heathland, eucalyptus woods
and rainforest.
Two different species
of crocodile live here — Johnston crocodiles, which live in fresh water and
mainly eat fish, and estuarine crocodiles, which are a very different thing.
These creatures are the largest reptiles in the world, and can live in both fresh
and salt water. They can grow up to 6 m (20 ft.) in length, can be extremely
dangerous and occasionally kill careless tourists.
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| Kakadu map. |
The park is home to a
huge range of flora and fauna — more than 10,000 species of insects, 25 per cent
of Australia’s freshwater fish, kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, water buffalo and
many more. There are also about 5,000 sites of Aboriginal art, from many
different eras. The town of Jabiru, on the eastern side, is near the Ranger Uranium
Mine, and has a small airport from where it is possible to arrange scenic
flights across the park in helicopters or light aircraft. The area is far too
large to see in one day, but there are camping sites and resorts where you can
base yourself for longer stays, and the Park Headquarters
and Visitors Centre is full of useful information.
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| Aboriginal painting in Kakadu. |
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| Wetland area. |
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