Kakadu and Arnhem Land Information

Covering an incredible 20,000 square kilometres, the park is an enormous weathered plateau towering 400 metres above lowlands rich in waterways, waterfalls, wetlands, woodlands, sculptured gorges and caves.

Beyond Kakadu's scenic beauty, there is a spiritual quality to the place-a feeling or presence that derives from the park's ancient history. Two billion years old, Kakadu has been inhabited by Aborigines for tens of thousands of years: the area's rich Aboriginal heritage is expressed in ancient rock paintings throughout the park.

Further north-east is Arnhem Land, an expanse of unspoilt land made up of a predominantly indigenous population, unspoilt coastlines, deserted islands, rivers alive with fish, ancient rainforests, towering escarpments and savannah woodlands. Arnhem Land was the originating area of not only the didgeridoo, but also of the country's most successful Aboriginal rock band, Yothu Yindi.

Arnhem Land's Cobourg Peninsula is one of the nation's best fishing locations, owing to its seldom-fished waters, with dolphins, sea turtles, crocodiles and dugong.

Top 5 things to do

Cruise the Yellow Water Billabong home to some very big salt water crocodiles

2. Have an Arnhem Land adventure

3. See Ubirr's rock art, Kakadu

4. Swim at Kakadu's waterfalls

5. Land a huge barramundi on the Cobourg Peninsula