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. Australian national parks preserve in their territories many natural monuments, rare species of animals and amazing landscapes. Now let's talk about one of these places called "Cockatoo."
general information
Kakadu - National Park located in the northern region of Australia. A monsoon, subequatorial climate prevails in this territory. The park is located on a hilly, gently sloping plateau, which gradually passes 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 landscape. Also, this territory is valuable from an archaeological and ethnological point of view. Entrance to the park is paid.
The name and history of the park
Hearing the name "Cockatoo", many imagine that in these parts there are many crested parrots. But in reality, 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.
Park Features
If you look at Kakadu National Park on the map, you will notice that it is like a pearl in a beautiful setting. And indeed this wonderful place is surrounded on all sides by ledges, mountains and rocks 400 to 600 meters high. So, the park turned out to be fenced off from the surrounding world, and a variety of animals, insects, reptiles, birds and fish live inside.
Another feature of the park are two caves that attract history buffs. Inside, on the walls there is a cave painting, which, according to scientists, dates back to the 16th millennium BC. e.
Flora Park
In northern Australia, Kakadu National Park has the most diverse flora. More than 1700 plant species are listed here. It is also surprising that each section of the park has its own flora, which does not repeat in other parts of Kakadu.
Thus, monsoon forests with prickly kapoks and magnificent banyan trees grow near moist gorges. In the swampy lowlands, sedge, pandanas, quinine and mangrove trees predominate. In “Stone Country”, the conditions are complicated by unusually arid, hot seasons, which are replaced by heavy rains. Rocky vegetation has adapted to such unfriendly weather. Endemic plants are located on the hills of the south side. So, only here in Kakadu grows eucalyptus koolpinensis.
Fauna cockatoo
Since Kakadu National Park has a variety of natural conditions and vegetation, there is a huge animal diversity. Among various living creatures, rare and endangered species, as well as endemic species, live here. But since the weather conditions here are too changeable and often extreme, most of the inhabitants of the park are active only at a suitable time of day or year.
Kakadu National Park has become home to 60 species of mammals. Since many of them prefer to live, they are quite rare for tourists. But, for example, here 8 different types of kangaroos, as well as wallabies, often catch my eye. There are also dingo dogs, brown bandicoots, marsupial rats, marsupials martens, black vallaru. And in local waters you can see dugongs.
Information for park guests
The cockatoo is open to the public for a year. Entrance to the territory is charged. Here you can stay overnight at campsites. There is also a village in Jaber, where all the necessary benefits of civilization are provided. There is a hotel, cafe and restaurant. Also in the settlement has its own bakery, honey. center, travel agency, supermarket, post office, bank branch. Information on the attractions of the park can be obtained at the Bovali Visitor Center, which is located near Jaber. There is also the opportunity to purchase interesting home-made souvenirs made by the local population of the natives.
Australia's national parks are notable for their size and Kakadu is no exception. Its territory is so large that it is impossible to get around in one day. There are various routes for tourists in the park. Hiking can take place along the monsoon forest or near ponds along special trails.
Also, the main attractions you can go with a car tour. There is an opportunity to ride on your own in a jeep to the Kulpin Gorge and spend the night there in a canyon. But trips are possible only in a certain period, since during the rainy season many of the park's landscapes remain flooded.
Guided tours of the Alligator River are organized in Kakadu. Here, an amazing opportunity opens up to admire unusual Australian birds and see crocodiles in their habitat.
To capture the scale of the park and admire its beauty from above, flights are carried out on light-engine aircraft. This trip can be arranged at Jaberu Airport.
