Kakadu > Destinations > Kakadu & Arnhem Land > Birdwatching
Bird Week
Bird Week is held annually across the Top End in August, offering bird lovers a variety of 'twitching' experiences including multi-day expeditions, guided walks, demonstrations, guest speakers and river cruises led by international expert Mike Oswald of NT Bird Specialists.
Mamukala Wetlands
Mamukala Wetlands is a bird lover's paradise. From May to November, Mamukala host a huge variety of birds, including thousands of magpie geese that roost and feed on the lush vegetation surrounding the wetlands.
Bird Billabong
Bird Billabong is a permanent fresh water swamp. Magpie geese, ducks, jabirus, herons, ibis and other waterbirds have all been known to frequent the land locked billabong, surrounded by paperbark forests. Its observation platform features a panoramic view.
Fogg Dam
Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve is renowned for its bird life and is also a haven for crocodiles, frogs, lizards, wallabies, snakes, turtles and dingoes. Walk along the Dam wall and climb to the top of two-metre observation towers for panoramic views.
Manngarre
The Manngarre monsoonal rainforest walk is a circular, 1.5km hike through rainforest surrounding the East Alligator river system, an environment rich in bird and wildlife. Accessible from May to December. Allow an hour.
For the more serious birdwatcher, Kakadu is home to the endangered gouldian finch and red goshawk as well as several other species endemic to only this region.
Literally millions of magpie geese inhabit the wetlands of the north and to witness them going about their business en masse is truly a spectacle.
The World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land, the Mary River and the Gove Peninsula are home to around 280, or one-third, of Australia's entire collection of bird species, making the region a mecca for bird watchers.
Even if you only have a passing interest in birds, places like Yellow Water Billabong or Mamukala Wetlands are spectacular in the early morning or late afternoon.
Most tours of the area offer plenty of opportunities to see bird life, but those looking for a more in-depth experience should take a specialised birdwatching tour or self drive to one of the many 'hotspots'.
