Entering The Famous Kakadu Flood Plains

One of my favourite parts of the trip was entering the Kakadu Wetlands.

The reason Kakadu is named on the World Heritage List is for both its outstanding cultural and natural universal values. The flood plains of Kakadu illustrate the ecological effects of sea-level change in northern Australia. The park features great natural beauty and sweeping landscapes, as well as internationally important wetlands. The park is extremely important to Aboriginal people, and many communities still occupy the region. The Aboriginal art sites of Kakadu National Park are a unique artistic achievement that provides an outstanding record of human interaction with the environment over tens of thousands of years.

http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/kakadu/index.html

Kakadu is one beautiful national park.

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Kakadu - Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre

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Entrance into Kakadu National Park

We entered into the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park after lunch. Unfortunately, we were greeted by some rain but it didnt spoil our day, as the rain didn't last too long.

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Next Stop - Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park

Next stop was Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park. No swimming this time.

Here is the reason why!!!

This sign explains the way in which they monitor crocodiles in the area.

Given the inability to swim, we did some walking instead.
I did the walk to the viewing platform.

The first of the waterfalls at Wangi Falls.

There are actually two water falls in wet season. Both were pounding down due to the sheer amount of rainfall that had occurred over the previous 3 - 4 days. This is the second of the falls.

You could feel the force of the water spray just standing on the platform.

I took a look at the local flora as well - here in a Native Ginger Plant.

A clearer view of the smaller of the waterfalls.

Litchfield National Park - Florence Falls

We were then back on the road, the next stop being Florence Falls, the second of the two swimming areas that were open to the public and that were safe to swim in.

Florence Falls from the viewing platform.

And then it was swim time!

And then it was lunchtime!

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Litchfield National Park - Buley Rockhole

Next stop in Litchfield National Park was Buley Rockhole, where we could swim. My of the waterholes in the area were closed due to wet season (and crocodile risk) but Buley Rockhole is one of only two in the area where swimming in risk free - but that said, the current was pretty strong!!!

Me sliding down the waterfall. I fell down all four levels of the waterfall on my backside and ended up with a nasty bruise on my bottom.

Me at the bottom, after hurting my bottom!

We enjoyed the swim in the amazingly fresh water. I'm on the right, trying to stay upright because the current was so strong.

I'm second on the right, in the rockpool which was about 4 metres deep.

The spectacular waterfalls from the bottom.

Another spectacular shot of the gushing water.

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