Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kakadu National Park


 

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park by W. Bulach from Wikimedia Commons

The Alligators River Region of Australia’s Northern Territory is home to the 7,646 square mile Kakadu National Park. The area surrounding the park has been inhabited by Aboriginal Australians for at least 20,000 years, however, others estimate it to be as long as 40,000. Over 5,000 locations throughout the park showcase Aboriginal culture.

The park is home to about 500 Aboriginal people, and the land is either under claim or is shielded by Aboriginal land rights. After becoming a national park in 1979, Kakadu National Park underwent three stages of listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, starting in 1981.

1. Native Australians own more than half of the park’s territory

Native Australians own more than half of the park’s territory. For more than 40,000 years, the Aboriginal people have lived continuously in Kakadu. In the area, there are more than 5000 registered art sites that reflect their culture.

2. Do they still follow traditions?

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kakadu National Park

Aboriginal farmers by Antoine Fauchery from Wikimedia Commons

Even the people of the oldest human civilizations are affected by modern life. Although some of them now reside in Kakadu’s cities and villages, their customs have not changed. They continue to spend a lot of time outdoors hunting, fishing, and tending to the land, just like their ancient ancestors did.

3. Bird species in Kakadu

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kakadu National Park

Chloebia gouldiae by Kym Nicolson from Wikimedia Commons

There are more than 280 registered bird species. Many of them are unique to one environment, and in some locations, their population may even outnumber that of people. Several endangered species, including the Gouldian finch, red goshawk, partridge pigeon, chestnut-backed button quail, hooded parrot, and rainbow pitta, are protected in a significant portion the park designated as the Important Bird Area. There are numerous species of waterbirds as well, such as the pied heron, magpie geese, Australian pelican, and small black cormorant, to name a few.

4. How large may termite mounds get in Kakadu?

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kakadu National Park

Termite mounds by Murray Foubister from Wikimedia Commons

They can reach a height of 20 feet! Both in the southern region of Kakadu National Park and from the Maguk Road, you may see them.

5. Six seasons

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kakadu National Park

K6S by Frsot Design from Wikimedia Commons

Between December and March is the Gudjewg, or monsoon season, which is characterized by torrential downpours, flash floods, and thunderstorms. The increase in animal and plant life is aided by heat and humidity. Only beginning in April, the Banggerreng or “knock ’em down” storm season is marked by strong winds and intense storms. This time of year, the streams begin to clear and the trees begin to bear fruit.

The yegge season is cooler yet still humid. The weather is milder and less humid from May until mid-June. Winter is a time of frigid weather. From mid-June until mid-August, nothing is wet. The floodplains dry up and the springs stop flowing.

Mid-August marks the commencement of Gurrung, which lasts until mid-October. It’s the warmest of the six seasons, and the Aborigines use it to hunt long-necked turtles and snakes.

From mid-October until late December, there is a pre-monsoon storm season called Gunumeleng. It is a hot and increasingly humid time of year. The dry earth regrows its greenery, the creeks overflow with water, and new life sprouts. Aborigines go from the floodplains to the stone country in the afternoon when storms are forecast.

6. Human impacts

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, humans significantly altered the region. Water buffalo introduced from Southeast Asia have harmed the sensitive wetlands and floodplains. Since then, the buffalo have been largely driven out of the region, and the earth is now healing. Since crocodile hunting was outlawed in 1972, crocodile populations have significantly decreased. The crocodiles have recovered so well after they were protected that some people believe there are now too many.

The landscape has been altered by mining, however just one uranium mine (Ranger) is still in operation. When the mine closes, the operators must make repairs and replant the land. There was some small-scale logging in the early 20th century, but not much of the evidence is still present. Due to the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit Kakadu National Park every year, the park has undergone significant changes. To support this activity, it is necessary to provide roads, rails, signage, lodging, accommodations, telephones, and other services.

7. The scenery of Kakadu National Park includes fire

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park by Dietmar Rabich from Wikimedia Commons

Large tracts of woods and grassy plains in the park are exposed to extended dry, hot weather periods. The area’s flora has evolved to withstand numerous fires. Because many of the trees are largely fire resistant and other vegetation just comes back extremely quickly, fires in northern Australia are less dangerous than in southern Australia.

The national park engages in controlled burning after consulting with the traditional owners who have been using fire as a tool for land management for thousands of years. Aboriginal people use fire as a crucial hunting weapon to draw out their prey. The second benefit is that once a fire has passed through an area, wallabies are drawn into a clearly defined region by the tender shoots of the quickly growing grasses.

8. The British made several settlement attempts

Early in the 19th century, the British made several attempts to establish settlements along the northern Australian coast: in 1824, they built Fort Dundas on Melville Island; in 1829, they built Fort Wellington at Raffles Bay; and in 1838, they built Victoria Settlement (Port Essington) on the Coburg Peninsula. Before the French or Dutch, who had colonized islands further north, wished to secure Australia’s northern region.

For a variety of reasons, including a lack of clean water and food, illness, and isolation, all British settlements failed. Assessing how these colonies affected the local Aboriginal population and the kind of interaction that evolved between them and the British were challenging. Undoubtedly, some Native Americans worked in the settlements. exposure to emerging diseases was an

9. Largest Waterfall in Kakadu

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kakadu National Park

Jim jim falls by Nigel Malone from Wikimedia Commons

Jim Jim Falls, which is taller than the falls at Litchfield and the biggest waterfall in Kakadu, is also the largest waterfall in the world. Due to its remarkable height, during the rainy season, it experiences majestic rainfall with tremendous amounts of water spilling over the side. If you go during the dry season, you can climb over the stones to get closer to the base.

10. UNESCO Protected Site

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park by Dietmar Rabich from Wikimedia Commons

The size of Kakadu National Park is 20,000 square kilometres. The park is owned traditionally by more than half the area. Kakadu is a stunning example of the Australian outback and a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the variety of plants and animals that can be found there.

It is amazing to visit Kakadu at any time of year because it practically changes from season to season.

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