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A short drive from Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem Land brings you to one of the most unspoiled places to camp and explore in Australia. A natural highlight is Baṉambarrŋa (Rainbow Cliffs), a sheer section of coastline where the exposed and weathered rock profile produce a striking colorful effect on the cliff face. The top of the cliff is a Sacred Site and access is not permitted.
A spectacular plunge waterfall on the Jim Jim Creek, the Jim Jim Falls is Kakadu's biggest waterfall. The cascade descends from an elevation of 259 m (850 ft) above sea level. The English name 'Jim Jim Falls' comes from the local Kundjeyhmi word andjimdjim, meaning "water pandanus," a palm-like tree.
The wildlife-filled wetlands of the Yellow Water Billabong are among the highlights of the Kakadu National Park. The best way to appreciate this remarkable region is by a sunrise or sunset cruise operated by the indigenous-owned Yellow Water Cruises company. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Anbangbang Billabong lies in the shadow of Nourlangie Rock, better known as Burrungkuy. Like much of Kakadu, Anbangbang Billabong is home to an especially wide variety of bird life. A waysigned 2.5 km (1.55 mi) circular walk surrounds the water's edge, but can only be followed during the dry season. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Kakadu's Burrungkuy is a Sacred Site and renowned for its amazing Aboriginal rock art. Incidentally, the local Aboriginal word for rock art is gunbim.
A vast area of 19,804 km2 (7,646 sq mi), Kakadu National Park is located within the Alligator Rivers Region of the Northern Territory. Renowned for stunning natural wonders and the richness of its Aboriginal cultural sites, Kakadu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The incredible Twin Falls is a cascade waterfall on the South Alligator River, and another one of Kakadu's natural wonders. The falls are accessible by four-wheel drive trail, and facilities adjacent to the waterfall include a car park, picnic area, public toilets, and a shaded area. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)
The sandstone rock stacks at Ubirr represent some amazing examples of wind erosion, the rock having been weathered over thousands of years to produce weird and wonderful shapes. Ubirr is located within the East Alligator region of Kakadu. But it's the amazing Aboriginal rock art that draws visitors.
The collection of Aboriginal rock paintings illustrating the walls of several natural shelters set within the Ubirr rock formation are simply stunning. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)
Like those found at Burrungkuy, many of the paintings at Ubirr date back thousands of years. Much of the art features fish, turtles, goanna, and so on. At the much-photographed main gallery, a painting of a thylacine (the Tasmanian tiger, which became extinct on the mainland more than two thousand years ago) is a rare treat.
The rock art at Burrungkuy covers many different styles and subjects, ranging from beautiful hand stencils many thousands of years old, to animals in X-ray style, some painted as recently as the 1960s.
Gazing over the evocative depictions of ancestral spirits and animals is a humbling experience.
Some areas of deep cultural significance to the indigenous inhabitants are off-limits even to those with permission to travel across Arnhem Land. This sign indicates that this is "Ceremony Country" and that unlawful entry can result in a fine of up to AU$20,000. Pay attention! (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)
The Aboriginal community of Yirrkala, just outside Nhulunbuy, is internationally renowned for the bark paintings that promote the rights of Indigenous Australians, and is home to a number of leading indigenous artists whose work is available to the public from the Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre and Museum.
Yirrkala is also the origin place of that most iconic of Australian musical instruments, the yidaki, or didgeridoo.
The Arnhem Land tropical savanna, a tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands eco-region, encompasses several protected parks including the Kakadu, Djukbinj, and Garig Gunak Barlu national parks. The environment acts as a vast sanctuary for a host of exciting and exotic wildlife. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)
Tropical monsoon forests are the preferred habitat of the rainbow pitta. Endemic to northern Australia, look out for this dainty passerine on your travels. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)
Another bird endemic to the region is the silver-crowned friarbird. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)
You can't miss this handsome waterfowl— the fleshy red wattle covering the forehead and forecrown is a distinguishing feature. Ideally adapted to the floating vegetation of tropical freshwater wetlands, the comb-crested jacana is a favorite billabong resident. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)
With a bit of luck you might spy this colorful finch, that while native to Australia is an endangered species. Have your cameras primed! (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)
Endemic to northern Australia and southern New Guinea, this quirky member of the dragon family has a habit when threatened of opening its yellow-colored mouth, unfurling the colorful, pleated skin flap that encircles its head, and hissing. It's an unforgettable sight, especially if the lizard then makes a dash for it, legs splaying left and right.
Not for nothing is this scaly-skinned serpent named. This is one of the most venomous land snakes in Australia, though it is more scarce in the Northern Territory. It'll be just your luck to meet one in Arnhem Land, so tread carefully! (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0 DE)
A feature of Arnhem Land, and indeed the northern regions of Australia, the freshwater crocodile lives in freshwater wetlands, billabongs, rivers, and creeks. Although this croc doesn't attack humans as potential prey, it can still deliver a nasty bite.
On no account do you want to encounter one of these beasts. An agile and territorial predator, the saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile and crocodilian known to science. Lethargic until hungry, it will treat humans as prey if the opportunity arises. You've been warned! (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)
One of the most beautiful insects in the world and one very culturally significant to the indigenous people of western Arnhem Land, Leichhardt's grasshopper is native to tropical northern Australia. The best place to try and spot them is in the stone country around the Arnhem Land escarpment.
After your visit to Gunbalanya, head out to the Arnhem Land wetlands and follow the Gayngaru Wetlands Interpretive Walk. The circuit circumnavigates a lagoon that is frequented by over 200 species of birds. Along the path there are two viewing platforms and a bird hide.
Local artistic traditions are upheld at Gunbalanya (historically referred to as Oenpelli). The community's Injalak Arts Centre has several rock art galleries and is the main tourist attraction in Gunbalanya. Pictured is a view of the township from nearby Injalak Hill. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)
One bird to look out for is the magnificent magpie goose. Unmistakable for their black and white plumage and yellowish legs, the birds are depicted in the rock art found at Ubirr and Burrungkuy, such is the species' significance in Aboriginal culture. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 3.0)
The most sacred site at Ubirr is the Rainbow Serpent Gallery. Traditionally a women-only site, although this rule is relaxed for non-indigenous tourists, this is believed to be the spot visited by the deity known as the Rainbow Serpent or Garranga'rreli (pictured) during her path across the top end of Australia. To appreciate Ubirr in its entirety, join a ranger-guided tour to learn the fascinating history and stories of this special destination.
As a parting shot, absorb this view of East Arnhem Land, showing the Habgood River meeting the Arafura Sea.
See also: 50 amazing pictures of Australia's national parks.
Arnhem Land is a vast wilderness area in the northeast corner of Australia’s Northern Territory. Little visited and requiring travel permits and special permission to do so, Arnhem Land is the realm of rare and exotic wildlife and Indigenous Australians, whose ancient art and culture help define this isolated, inhospitable, but stunningly beautiful corner of the world. Curious to learn more?
Click through the following gallery and travel to Australia's last true wilderness, the place they call Arnhem Land.
Discover the inhospitable beauty that is Arnhem Land
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Arnhem Land is a vast wilderness area in the northeast corner of Australia’s Northern Territory. Little visited and requiring travel permits and special permission to do so, Arnhem Land is the realm of rare and exotic wildlife and Indigenous Australians, whose ancient art and culture help define this isolated, inhospitable, but stunningly beautiful corner of the world. Curious to learn more?
Click through the following gallery and travel to Australia's last true wilderness, the place they call Arnhem Land.