Wildlife encounters, cultural experiences and special offers make for a perfect Kakadu Spring getaway

The upcoming September/October holidays is one of the best times to experience the natural wonderland of Kakadu National Park, with visitors being able to experience two richly authentic festivals and take advantage of a range of special offers.

Nature will be at its most vivid during the annual Kakadu Bird Week, which will be staged between 25 and 29 September. The spectacular pageant 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.

Kakadu 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 receding towards the end of the dry season, there is no better time to witness birdlife at its most extravagant, along with Kakadu’s full array of exotic animals, including crocodiles, buffalo, brumbies and wallabies.

Kakadu has been voted Australia’s number one bird-watching destination 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. Further information: https://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/do/events/birdweek/

The Mayali Muli Festival will be held on Saturday, 6 September, at Kakadu Billabong Safari Camp, a 15-minute drive from Cooinda in the heart of Kakadu National Park.

Mayali is an Aboriginal language group from the Kakadu West Arnhem plateau region and Mulil means many, and together Mayali Muli signifies a large gathering of people under the umbrella of Mayali language and culture.

Festival goers will be able to learn how Kakadu’s Indigenous peoples interact with their land, take part in guided walks to discover bush tucker and medicinal plants, create implements for hunting, learn traditional weaving, appreciate Kakadu’s finest artists, and enjoy Kakadu musical grooves and dancing.

Ideal for all the family, this back-to-nature experience is one of the most authentic ways to appreciate the 65,000 years of Indigenous culture that makes Kakadu such a unique destination.

Festival goers can stay on-site at Kakadu Billabong Safari Camp in an eco-hut, or camp with a caravan, campervan or tent. Alternatively, hotel and camping accommodation is available at Cooinda Lodge. Further information: https://www.kakadubillabongsafaricamp.com.au/mayali-festival.

The September school holidays also coincide with most of Kakadu’s natural attractions being open and easily accessible. These include Maguk rock pool, Jim Jim and Twin Falls waterfalls, Nourlangie and Ubirr rock art sites and Koolpin Gorge. A range of tours can be booked from Cooinda Lodge.

Special accommodation offers at Cooinda Lodge

Cooinda Lodge is the perfect base for touring Kakadu. Offering luxe villas, glamping tents, hotel-style rooms and extensive camping and caravan facilities, Cooinda is also ideally located for attending Mayali Muli and Kakadu Bird Week, with Yellow Water Billabong next door.

Offers include:

• Stay two nights or more in a Cooinda Lodge room or Outback Retreat glamping tent and get a $50 voucher for use on dining and drinks
• Take a Yellow Water Cruise and then cruise again for just $79 (a saving of up to $50 per person)
• Stay two nights in a Yellow Water Villa and get two free Yellow Water Cruises (value up to $258)
• Book an unpowered camping site and receive a free pizza

The special packages are valid for stays from 1 September to 31 October and are subject to availability.

Bookings and further information about visiting Kakadu: https://kakadutourism.com/