The world’s famous Yellow Water Billabong – Kakadu’s World Heritage wetlands – are abounding with a diversity of birdlife, wildlife and rich vegetations. The Yellow Water land-locked billabong forms part of the South Alligator River floodplain and has long been the Aboriginal people’s important food gathering area.
The great white egret taking flight off the marsh.
The whistling kite.
Yellow Water Billabong
Yellow Water Cruises
An amazing way to soak in nature’s bounty at Yellow Water is to venture out into the wetlands with Yellow Water Cruises. The boat ramp is merely a few minutes walk away from where we stayed at Gagudju Lodge Cooinda. The indigenous owned Yellow Water Cruises will take you on a 2-hour ride to a whole new world into an aviary kingdom where huge nests, parrots, kingfishers, hawks, egrets and other migratory birds prevail with nature at its best. Try to spot saltwater crocodiles as you glide along the lily-infested wetlands.
Spot the Crocs!
Along the cruise, we spotted some crocodiles resting under the shade. The guide shared that typically, a crocodile that has a body as long as an adult human poses more threat as it may attack the human, as compared to a smaller crocodile. Nonetheless, common sense tells us that we have to stay off these cold-blooded predators.
Shots of the crocodiles and birds taken with a 200mm telephoto lens. Bring along a pair of binoculars for watching the wildlife from afar while cruising the river.
The crocodile sensed our presence and turned away suddenly.
Can you spot another huge croc? Before this cruise, we took the Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise to watch crocodiles leap high out of the water!
Birdwatching
The Pied Heron is also known as Pied Egret.
Blue and white water lilies.
Jabiru or the Black-necked Stork in its huge nest.
Surreal dead trees.
Birds resting on the branches.
Snakehead
An egret resting on a branch that somehow takes the shape of its head.
The dead trees are like artistic decorations on the wetlands.
The white parrots noticed my white Pentax!
Lovely water lilies are bountiful in the wetlands.
There are some areas where we can’t access and it’s believed to be infested with many crocodiles. Just look at the bite holes on the float.
Visitor info on Yellow Water Cruises
For an unforgettable experience to immerse into the Yellow Water Billabong — the most famous wetlands of Kakadu National Park — the best way is to go for the Yellow Water Cruises from Gagudju Lodge Cooinda.
Duration of the cruise: 90 – 120 minutes
Operation: Six cruises a day, including the popular sunrise and sunset cruises.
Prices: A$64/adult onwards.
Website: https://www.kakadutourism.com/
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Stay tuned as we entered the Nourlangie region for the historical Aboriginal rock drawings.
breath taking!!! except the crocs.. ;-p
@Cathj: lol thanks!
I believe watching crocodiles is sure thrilling! It’s like so close not like they’re enclosed in walls or glass in zoo!
Is the brand name Billabong inspired frm this? lols;)
I’m like watching Discovery Channel here, thxx^^