Australia had been known as a country wherein there are more ‘bushes’ than urbanized and inhabited areas. It is with this country-continent that the world had come to see how people and their discipline can preserve a rich flora and fauna without being hindered of continual success.
Australia is known to have vast landscapes, dusty adventure treks, rare land animals and a plethora of wildlife parks that are being taken care of the government themselves. It is with huge pride that Australians brag about how bountiful their outdoors is and the long list of activities that a traveller can do during his stay.
One of the many gems that Australia has to offer is the well-preserved and tourist magnet Kakadu National Park.
LOCATION
The Kakadu National Park is located 240 kilometers east of the Australian state Darwin which is the country’s tropical North. It is dubbed as Australia’s largest territorial national park which covers almost 20,000 square kilometers of ecological and biological diversity.
It extends from the coast and estuaries in the north through floodplains, billabongs and lowlands to rocky ridges and stone country in the south. These landscapes are home to a range of rare and endemic plants and animals, including more than one-third of Australia’s bird species and one-quarter of its freshwater and estuarine fish species.
CLIMATE
Kakadu is located in the tropics, 12 to 14° south of the Equator. The climate is monsoonal, characterized by two major seasons: the dry season and the wet season. The ‘build up’ describes the transition between these two seasons.
During the dry season (April/May to September), dry southerly and easterly trade winds predominate. Humidity is relatively low and rain is very unusual.
At Jabiru the average maximum temperature for June-July is 32°C. During the ‘build up’ (October to December) conditions can be extremely uncomfortable with high temperatures and high humidity. However ‘build up’ storms are impressive and lightning strikes are frequent. In fact the Top End of Australia records more lighting strikes per year than any other place on earth. At Jabiru the average maximum temperature for October is 37.5°C.
The wet season (January to March/April) is characterized by warm temperatures and, as one would expect, rain. Most of the rain is associated with monsoonal troughs formed over Southeast Asia, although occasionally tropical cyclones produce intense heavy rain over localized areas.
At Jabiru the average maximum temperature for January is 33°C. Annual rainfall in Kakadu National Park ranges from 1,565 mm in Jabiru to 1,300 mm in the Mary River region.
TRANSPORTATION
The most convenient way to get to Kakadu National Park is by coach tour or by hiring a car and travelling from the nearest cities of Darwin and Katherine.
WHAT TO SEE
Bowali Visitor Center
The Kakadu National Park staff is on hand to help you plan your Kakadu visit and there’s also a walk-through display including a humongous crocodile skeleton and an air-conditioned library.
Marrawuddi Gallery
The Marrawudi Gallery promotes aboriginal fine art by artists from Kakadu and nearby regions. Visitors can purchase arts, crafts and artifacts made by Kakadu inhabitants and nearby Arnhem Land.
Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Center
Near Cooinda in the Yellow Water region, Warradjan is a must-see.
The circular design of this cultural centre represents a Warradjan (pig-nosed turtle). The centre’s large display, developed by Kakadu’s Aboriginal owners, provides detailed information about Aboriginal culture in Kakadu. There is also a video room and a gallery that sells arts and crafts, books, cards and light refreshments.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário