Get a bird’s eye view of Australia’s most spectacular wildlife show – Kakadu Bird Week 28 September – 3 October 2023

Azure Kingfisher

Nature will be at its most spectacular during the annual Kakadu Bird Week, which will be staged between 28 September and 3 October, 2023. The week-long celebration of nature offers visitors the opportunity to join expert-guided tours, cruise the wetlands and experience Kakadu’s rich Indigenous culture.

Kakadu National Park is a bird lover’s paradise – home to more than a third of Australia’s bird species – and is the perfect place to discover and learn all about the rich variety of birds living in the dual World Heritage listed Park.

Bird Week is held to coincide with the mass migration of magpie geese, which flock to billabongs such as Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba), to feed. With the waters having receded towards the end of the dry season, there is no better time to witness not just the birdlife, but Kakadu’s full array of exotic animals, including crocodiles, buffalo, brumbies and wallabies.

Kakadu was voted number one in bird watching destinations in Australia by Australian Geographic and is home to over one third of Australia’s bird species. It is a great opportunity to view graceful sea eagles, elegant kingfishers, distinctive Jabirus and watch the remarkable Jacanas (aka ‘Jesus Bird’) seemingly walking on water.

Kakadu Bird Week is the perfect time for nature lovers to discover Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. The Festival will feature a packed itinerary of events designed for dedicated bird watchers and those who just love seeing nature at its most spectacular.

A highlight of the Festival will be sunrise and sunset cruises on Yellow Water Billabong, led by one of Australia’s most renowned ‘twitchers’, Luke ‘Hawk Eye’ Paterson from NT Bird Specialists.

Luke’s 2-hour Bird Lovers Cruises will showcase Kakadu at its most dramatic. Explore the wetlands at sunset to find the black-necked stork, white-bellied sea-eagle, a plethora of ducks and magpie geese, the intriguing comb-crested jacanas. Passengers will also see plenty of crocodiles, brumbies and other wildlife.

Seats will be strictly limited to allow plenty of room for passengers to set up tripods to capture imagery of the birds and the landscape as the sun goes down over the wetlands.

Yellow Water Cruises will also operate regular cruises throughout the week, from sunrise to sunset, offering plentiful opportunities to view Kakadu’s spectacular landscape.

Luke is also operating a range of land-based birding tours, with participants taking part in annual BirdData surveys of Kakadu’s incredible birdlife, contributing to important scientific data.

Guided tours include: 

• Friday 29 September 2023 (5.30am – 11.00am) – South Alligator Region Wetlands Birding Tour
• Saturday 30 September 2023 (5:00-11:30am) – Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Region Sandstone Birding Tour
• Sunday 1 October 2023 (5:30-11:00am) – East Alligator Region Monsoon Forest Birding Tour

All tours are available at the special Kakadu Bird Week rate of $195 per person, and include transfers from Jabiru, transport in commercial tour vehicle, morning tea, drinking water, Kakadu bird list, and a communal spotting scope.

A moderate level of fitness is required, but tours are conducted from early in the morning to maximise the comfort levels. Full details and bookings - https://ntbirdspecialists.com.au/tour/kakadu-bird-week-tours-2/

There will be a wide range of other bookable and free bird appreciation events during the week, and a special program for children has been designed to introduce them to the wonders of birding and the science of discovery.

Kakadu National Park rangers will provide daily walks at many of Kakadu’s major tourism sites, including Ubirr and Nourlangie, and cultural activities will take place at Bowali and Warradjan cultural centres. Details will be available via: https://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/do/events/birdweek/

Barking Owl

Accommodation throughout the week is available at Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru and at Cooinda Lodge – next door to Yellow Water Billabong – which offers accommodation ranging from luxury Yellow Water Villas and quality Lodge rooms (including family rooms) through to powered caravan and camping sites.

Yellow Water Cruises, accommodation, touring information and bookings: www.kakadutourism.com
* Peter Hook peter@hookcommunications.com.au