Kakadu National Park spans roughly 20,000 square kilometers in Australia’s Northern Territory. Teeming with wildlife, dissected by major river systems, and graced with widely varied landforms, this natural wonderland is the most expansive terrestrial national park in Australia, and the second largest national park in the world.

From wetlands and rainforests, to woodlands and high stone plateaus, Kakadu offers exceptional landscapes for unmatched adventures. Kakadu National Park welcomes approximately 210,000 visitors each year, mostly during the dry season between June and September. With six distinct seasons each year, Kakadu offers a new experience and new adventures upon each return.

Travelers come from around the world to partake in numerous guided tours to some of the most significant cultural and natural attractions in the park, or to venture out on self-guided treks to experience the remote splendor of Australia’s Top End.

While the most adventurous travelers may prefer setting out with only a swag and bush camping under the stars, a wide range of accommodations are available within Kakadu National Park, including campgrounds with facilities, cabins and 3 ½ star lodgings.

Adventure travelers will not want to miss the stunning sunrises, rock structures that burn deep red in just the right light, and spectacular sunsets graced by thousands of birds in flight. With over 120 species of reptiles – including goannas (monitor lizards), freshwater crocodiles and saltwater crocodiles, over 60 different mammals including kangaroos, wallabies and dingos, 280 species of birds, and well over 1,000 varieties of vegetation, the flora and fauna are reason enough to visit Kakadu.

But, Kakadu has so much more to offer as well. Recognized by the World Heritage Committee as a double status World Heritage site – for both its cultural and natural elements – visitors can experience tradition, history, culture, nature and adventure all in the same day against a stunning Australian backdrop.

Kakadu and the surrounding area offer numerous Australian adventures, including Adelaide River cruises complete with leaping crocodiles, 4WD safaris for wildlife viewing, cultural tours with Aboriginal guides, Yellow Water cruises where visitors will see crocodiles and other wildlife amongst the mangroves, an overnight stay in a safari camp in the Aboriginal land of Hawk Dreaming, and scenic flights over rugged escarpments and flowing waterfalls.

The Bowali Visitor Centre is an essential first stop for solo travelers and provides a wealth of information about Kakadu National Park and the wildlife, natural and cultural attractions, and the many options for enhancing your adventure holiday as you explore the park and all that it has to offer.

Kakadu is divided into seven distinct regions, each with unique landscapes, attractions and adventure travel opportunities.

The visitor centre is in close proximity to Jabiru, which offers all of the modern convenience travelers will need while on an adventure holiday. For travelers looking for an aerial adventure that allows unique views of Kakadu’s Jim Jim Falls and varied landforms, scenic flights are available at the Jabiru Airport.

The South Alligator Area is home to the Mamukala wetlands where birdwatchers will delight in the sheer numbers and array of birdlife. The South Alligator River offers boating and fishing, and hikers and four-wheel-drivers have the opportunity to venture out to Two Mile Hole, Four Mile Hole and the West Alligator River.

The East Alligator Area is home to the world-famous Ubirr Rock Art site, numerous bushwalks, breathtaking views of the Nardab floodplain, and guided cruises down either the East Alligator River or Magela Creek.

Adventure travelers visiting the Nourlangie Area will enjoy an invigorating hike to the Gunwarddehwardde Lookout for amazing views of Nourlangie Rock, trekking to numerous rock art sites, and watching wildlife at the serene Anbangbang Billabong.

True adventurers will not want to miss the Yellow Water Area where verdant wetlands are teeming with the many species of reptiles, birds and mammals that call Kakadu home. The Yellow Water Cruise allows for a peaceful journey through tranquil waters, while the boardwalk and walking trails allow for extensive exploration of this beautiful landscape.

For visitors interested in the history and rich Aboriginal culture that still thrives within the park, the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre in the Yellow Water Area offers vibrant displays, videos and an arts and crafts gallery. The lands within Kakadu National Park are home to the longest continuous surviving culture in the world, dating back at least 40,000 years, and also boast the world’s longest continuous rock art records, making this Australia destination a vastly significant historical and cultural site.

Gunlom Falls is one of the main attractions in the Mary River Area where visitors will find lush vegetation, several waterfalls, pristine plunge pools, elusive crocodiles and extensive bushwalks for more adventurous travelers.

Jim Jim Falls and plunge pool, and the surrounding Jim Jim Area offer a prehistoric landscape with rugged, rocky terrain and lush vegetation. Scenic flights, boat rides, 4WD or strenuous trekking will allow visitors to indulge in spectacular views of Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls, as well as catching a glimpse of local wildlife, or even getting up close and personal with a crocodile.

With its varying landscapes, stunning natural wonders, diverse wildlife and so many opportunities for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, Kakadu National Park is an ideal location for adventure travel in Australia.

From coast to coast, the U.S.A. offers diverse landscapes and myriad options for an American holiday. Travelers can choose between relaxing, white sand beaches, white water rafting or mountain climbing in several rugged mountain ranges, enjoying arts and theatre in major metropolitan areas, watching whales migrate along jagged coastlines, or gliding through the Everglades in search of alligators.

The U.S.A. is home to natural wonders like the majestic, towering Redwood National Forest, prehistoric fossils and the Grand Canyon, as well as historical landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, the White House and the numerous monuments in Washington D.C. Visitors can learn about the history of movie making under the famous Hollywood sign, or enjoy world-class shopping, gambling and entertainment in Las Vegas, where some might be surprised to find replicas of icons like the Eiffel Tower and expansive art collections.

Geographical diversity that includes deserts, mountains, rural prairies, dense forests, coastal estuaries, swamps, and everything in between, allows visitors to experience vastly different adventures within the borders of one country.

Most famous for the Eiffel Tower and the unsurpassed collection displayed in the Louvre, Paris is a city full of romance, history and majesty. From sidewalk cafés and a bustling nightlife, to the many centrally located historical sites and excellent public transportation system, Paris is a city that is meant to be enjoyed fully by all who travel there.

International travelers will find that the City of Lights offers adventures, architecture, art and culture that are easily accessible and breathtaking. Paris offers magnificent gardens, expansive art collections, romantic cruises down the Seinne, family attractions and architectural wonders. There seems to be no end to all that Paris has to offer, including Norte Dame, Champ Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, Disneyland Paris, the Obelisque and the Grand Palais, to name just a few of the many attractions.

Whether it is to take in the view from the Eiffel Tower or to stand before the world-famous Mona Lisa displayed in the Louvre, travelers visit Paris more than almost any other city in the European Union. From romantic getaways to family holidays, Paris is an essential stop on any European tour. 

Once the seat of the expansive Roman Empire and one of the most important cities in the history of Western Civilization, Rome is the third most visited city in the E.U. and is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Rome is one of the few European cities that did not experience devastation of historical landmarks and artifacts during WWII, thus allowing visitors to experience weathered, but splendid original architecture and artwork spanning the last 2500 years.

Millions of international travelers flock to Rome each year to experience the grandeur of the Colisseum, the Forum, Castel St. Angelo, the Baths of Caracalla, the Pantheon, St. Peter and the Vatican, and the grand Villa Borghese. Rome allows contemporary visitors to stroll along ancient Roman roads once traveled by kings and emperors, to walk beside the Tiber River in the shadow of stunning architecture and to envision the city as it was during its thousand-year reign as the political center, and largest, richest city in the Western World.

Rome has so much to offer that first time visitors may find the Eternal City overwhelming, but with a bit of planning, and some prioritizing, a Roman holiday truly is an adventure that every traveler should experience.

Rome is rich in history and culture, and steeped in myth and legend. With ancient ruins blended with buildings, art, plazas and fountains from the Baroque and Renaissance periods, Rome offers beauty, splendor and mystique that will mesmerize visitors and keep them coming back again and again. 

With its tropical climate and ideal location as a base for adventures to Red Centre, Kakadu, Litchfield and other remote Top End attractions, Darwin is an exceptional choice for a travel adventure. The city offers lush gardens, pristine beaches, historic buildings, a casino, open air markets and an exciting nightlife. Host to several festivals throughout the year and continuing to grow, Darwin offers an ever-changing array of activities and attractions for a relaxing, but fun-filled, holiday.

No Australian holiday is complete without a croc or two, and Darwin makes sure that visitors have plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal. The Darwin Crocodile Farm is home to 8,000 crocodiles and a raucous feeding time show, while Crocodylus Park has plenty of crocs, plus big cats and monkeys in their mini zoo.

But, for the true adventure traveler looking for a face-to-face meeting with one of Australia’s formidable saltwater crocodiles, the Cage of Death at Darwin’s Crocosaurus Cove is the only way to go. The Cage of Death is your opportunity for an exciting underwater experience, swimming with a fully grown crocodile just inches away.

After this exhilarating rush, relax in one of Darwin’s many restaurants and pubs where you can dine on authentic Northern Territory cuisine, including kangaroo, mud crabs, buffalo, and yes, crocodile. Or, take a stroll through one of the many outdoor markets to browse local arts and crafts, taste international fare, and even learn how to crack a whip.

Visitors will also enjoy learning about the varied cultures that make Darwin what it is today. Museums, nearby rock art sites, bush poetry readings and monuments come together to tell the tale of the blending of Aboriginal, Asian and European cultures that all call Darwin home.