Kakadu Ultimate Bird Lovers Cruise

Nature will be at its most spectacular during the annual Kakadu Bird Week, which will be staged between 25 September and 2 October, 2021. The week-long celebration of nature offers visitors the opportunity to join expert-guided tours, cruise the wetlands and experience Kakadu’s rich Indigenous culture.

With the dry season at its peak and the wetlands receding in advance of the arrival of the monsoon rains, Kakadu’s rich variety of birds and wildlife are at their most visible.

Kakadu was voted number one in bird watching destinations in Australia 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.

Kakadu Bird Week is the perfect time for nature lovers to discover Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. The Festival will feature a packed itinerary of events designed for both dedicated bird watchers and also those who just love seeing nature at its most spectacular.

A highlight of the Festival will be three sunset cruises on Yellow Water Billabong, led by one of Australia’s most renowned ‘twitchers’, Luke ‘Hawk Eye’ Paterson from NT Bird Specialists.

Luke’s 2½-hour Ultimate Bird Lovers Cruise will showcase Kakadu at its most dramatic. Seats will be strictly limited so that there is plenty of room for passengers to set up tripods to capture imagery of the birds and the landscape as the sun goes down over the wetlands.

Available each evening from 26 – 28 September, passengers join the cruise at Cooinda Lodge from 4.15pm. The cruises will be limited to a maximum of 30 passengers.

Yellow Water Cruises will also operate regular cruises throughout the week, from sunrise to sunset, and these cruises are included in special packages available from Cooinda Lodge and Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (see below).

There will be a wide range of bookable and free events during the week, and a special program for children has been designed to introduce them to the wonders of birding and the science of discovery.

Kakadu National Park rangers will provide free daily walks at many of Kakadu’s major tourism sites, including Ubirr and Nourlangie. Details are available via: https://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/do/events/birdweek/

Special Accommodation Packages during Kakadu Bird Week

Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, Jabiru – ‘The Croc’ is offering a Bed, Breakfast, Cruise & Wine package including one night at The Croc, full buffet breakfast for two, a 2-hour Yellow Water Cruise for two and a complimentary bottle of house wine when dining at the Mercure’s Escarpment Restaurant. Prices from $259 per couple, $339 per family of four. Extra nights: $179 per night

Cooinda Lodge – next door to Yellow Water Billabong – offers a wide range of accommodation, from quality Lodge rooms through to camping sites. A special Bed, Breakfast and Cruise package is available including one night stay in Cooinda Lodge Kakadu, full buffet breakfast for two and two-hour guided tour with Yellow Water Cruises. Price: from $329 (per couple) and from $509 for a family of four (2 adults 2 children). Extra nights: from $249 per night.

Bookings on the Kakadu Tourism website.