Kakadu National Park is managed by Parks Australia North, a branch of Environment Australia, which is part of the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage. The Park is one of the planet’s richest and most diverse natural ecosystems. It has an ancient Aboriginal cultural heritage and much to offer all its visitors, including some excellent fishing — particularly for the mighty barramundi.
It is approximately 150 km (about three hours drive on the sealed Arnhem Highway) from Darwin. In the centre of the park is Jabiru, the only town in Australia located in a national park. It services the Ranger Uranium Mine, local Aboriginal people and the needs of the park and its visitors. Kakadu has over 300 bird species, 75 species of reptile, more than 20 different types of frogs and more than 10,000 different species of insects. Almost half the bird species in Australia can be found in Kakadu making this a Mecca for bird watchers from around the world.
There are more than 20,000 sq km of stunningly beautiful and wild landscape ranging from coastal floodplains through wetlands and tropical woodlands to high rocky escarpments and plateaus. Waters in Kakadu range from coastal estuaries and creeks through big tidal rivers to barra-rich freshwater billabongs. Some anglers travel down to the mouth of the South Alligator River and fish around Barron and Field Islands for a mixed bag of reef fish. Some of the best barramundi fishing available in the Northern Territory takes place during the run-off in the massive South Alligator and East Alligator Rivers.
A range of estuarine fish like threadfin salmon, jewfish and golden snapper can be found in the lower reaches of these rivers and, at the right times of year, there are barra throughout their lengths. During this wet season run-off period, water in the upper reaches of these rivers can flow with surprising speed and care must be taken by boat operators, especially in narrow creeks when travelling with the current.
There are a number of beautiful billabongs in the park that fish well for barramundi and saratoga through the dry season and the build-up to the wet season. Yellow Waters, in the South Alligator River system, is a well-known barramundi haunt. Park use tickets must be purchased upon or before entering the Park. Commercial fishing is banned throughout the Park and no recreational fishing is allowed upstream of the Kakadu Highway, except on Jim Jim, Muirella Park and Sandy Billabongs. Fishing is also prohibited on the West Alligator River and some other billabongs are closed due to noxious weed infestations.
The Plan of Management for Kakadu provides a reduction of the current Northern Territory barramundi possession limit of five to two. This can be enacted at any time by Parks Australia North. Other Northern Territory fisheries regulations apply in Kakadu, however, live bait may not be used and fish may not be cleaned or filleted within fifty metres of any Kakadu waterway unless fish cleaning facilities, provided at boat ramps on the South and East Alligator Rivers, are used. Northern Territory boating safety regulations apply in Kakadu and all boating safety equipment required by law must be carried.Rangers undertake regular patrols throughout the Park and the possession of crab and yabby pots, or any type of trap or net other than a landing net, is prohibited. Crabs may not be taken inside Kakadu.
Accommodation in the park ranges from up-market hotels through to backpacker lodges, caravan sites and camping areas. There is a supermarket and a range of other services in Jabiru. The Bowali Visitor Centre, near the corner of the Kakadu and Arnhem Highways close to Jabiru, has displays and valuable visitor information. The Visitor Centre's telephone number is (08) 8938 1200. Ranger Stations are located throughout the Park and the head office is located at the TCG Centre, 7th floor, 80 Mitchell Street in Darwin (tel: (08) 8946 4300). Expert guided fishing safaris are available in Kakadu.
Fish to Catch
Barramundi, black jewfish, cod, groper, golden snapper saratoga, tarpon, threadfin and blue salmon, and mud crab. |
