Welcome to Jabiru, the small township located 250 km south east of Darwin in the heart of World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park!

It’s due to the town’s unique location that the currently 1187 residents of Jabiru are restricted by by-laws as to which pets they’re allowed to keep. Two dogs per household are allowed only. No goldfish permitted but fish indigenous to the area, from Lake Jabiru or the Magela Creek system, may be collected by town folks. No other domestic animals or birds are allowed because of the potential threat to the health of indigenous birds and animals in Kakadu National Park. And cats are a most definite no-no!

Yes, occasionally we do see feral cats around Kakadu National Park. But Kakadu’s park rangers do their best to eradicate them, especially in the wet season when cats can be spotted along floodplains and creek margins.

Jabiru is pretty much a cat free zone and there isn’t really a reason why the local supermarket should stock cat food –- or is there?

Just a few weeks ago the exciting findings of a scientific experiment were published in the Journal of Applied Ecology — involving the use of cat food. And it looks like tinned sea food might just be the weapon of choice in the fight against Australia’s most infamous pest: the Cane toad (Bufo marinus)!

In Kakadu the poisonous Cane toad has wreaked havoc among the populations of many native species. Worst hit are the quolls and goannas, frog-eating carnivores that mistake the toads for native frogs. But these toads are actually poisonous enough to kill a mature Freshwater crocodile – and we’ve seen too many Freshies floating belly-up in the creeks since the toads conquered Kakadu in 2001.

Now, what have the scientists actually done?

There’s actually another player in our cat food experiment that I haven’t introduced yet: the native Meat ant (Iridomyrmex reburrus) our real hero!
This aggressive ant species (they can give you a nasty bite!) as the name suggests, loves anything meat. Tinned sea food spread out along the banks of a billabong would be like the invite to a free all-you-can-eat buffet! And here at the water’s edge they find a welcome side dish: young toads that have just emerged from the water!

Cane toads freeze when attacked (a reflex that our native frogs don’t show), easy prey for our the meat-loving ants. Our little antsy heroes are immune to the toad poison and feed on them regularly, But those areas baited with cat food brought on a real feeding frenzy! The scientists found that by attracting more Meat ants to the edge of the wetland areas up to four times more toads lost their lives.

I reckon the scientists might be onto something!
This new strategy is probably not suited to totally eradicate the pest. But maybe we can identify a few more native species that have the potential to keep introduced pests at bay.

I wonder if we’ll see cat food in the pet food section of our local supermarket any time soon…

Boh boh
Anja

Reference:
Using a native predator (the Meat ant, Iridomyrmex reburrus) to reduce the abundance of an invasive species (the cane toad, Bufo marinus) in tropical Australia.
Georgia Ward-Fear, Gregory P. Brown and Richard Shine
School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia

Kakadu National Park will re-introduce a park use fee from 01 April 2010.
The park use fee will help maintain world-best management practices and facilities for the more than 200,000 visitors who experience Kakadu each year.

The $25 fee (which is inclusive of GST) will apply to all interstate and international visitors aged 16 years and over. All Northern Territory residents and children under 16 will be exempt. Tickets will be available online on the Kakadu National Park website from March 2010 or via www.kakadu.com.

Please note that park entry tickets are not included in our rates, participants will have to purchase their tickets prior to joining us on our tours.

Park passes will contribute directly to the running costs of the park and will maintain this amazing natural environment and a broad range of tourism services such as roads, boardwalks, visitor centres and free ranger walks and talks.

Please do the right thing and purchase your ticket before entering the park — and carry it with you while visiting Kakadu!

Boh boh
Anja

Our last tour to Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls will depart tomorrow, on Saturday, 31 October 2009.

A week ago the decision was made by Kakadu National Park management to close a number of walking tracks due to the currently very high temperatures in the stone country and the risks associated with walking in these conditions.

The walks closed include the Barrk Walk at Nourlangie Rock (which will re-open with the onset of the monsoon season, once the temperatures drop again), the Twin Falls escarpment walk and the Barrk Malam walk to the top of Jim Jim Falls.

While the walk into the gorge at Jim Jim Falls will remain open until as late as Friday, 11 December 2009 (all depending on the amount of rainfall received between now and then), Sunday, 8 November 2009 will be the last day of public access to the gorge at Twin Falls.

Our decision to wrap up the season a week early is based on our commitment to customer care. The health and safety of our passengers is our highest priority!
Temperatures have been soaring, for weeks we have consistently experienced 40 degrees and above in the precinct of Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls.
The danger of heat stress is becoming a very real one!

On behalf of the team, I’d like to thank everybody who’s made the trip with us this year. We trust your experience with Top End Explorer Tours  in Kakadu National Park was a memorable one — and we might even be able to welcome you back one day!

Boh boh!
Anja

Planning a trip to Kakadu National Park, working out which attractions to visit and how much time to spend in the area can be lots of fun. If you’re not really into camping, finding the right type of accommodation in the right location can be tricky…

Different types of accommodation (hotel/motel, cabin, budget) and powered camping sites are available at the Aurora Kakadu Resort, South Alligator (approximately 45km from Jabiru) and in the township of Jabiru. Here you can choose between the different options the Aurora Kakadu Lodge, Lakeview Park and the Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn have on offer.

Approximately 55km down the track (Kakadu Highway) accommodation and powered sites are also available at the Gagudju Lodge Cooinda.

If you’re slightly more adventurous, you might want to check out the Kakadu Culture Camp’s safari-tents.

Check out our Google Map for details!

For our tours we pick up from all these places — just let us know where exactly you’ll be staying and we can advise you of pick-up time and details! Give us a call or drop us a line if you’re not sure whether your accommodation is at South Alligator or in Jabiru, whether you’ll be staying at the Cooinda Lodge or the Crocodile Holiday Inn!

To avoid logistical nightmares and disappointment, please don’t forget to inform us about any changes…and a fun day will be had by all!

Promise!

Boh boh
Anja

The track to Twin Falls is now accessible for 4WD vehicles with high clearance and snorkel, the water depth at the Jim Jim Creek crossing is currently 0.5m.

Mandatory crocodile surveys in the area have been completed, weeks earlier than in previous years.
A couple of days ago the pontoon boardwalk went back into the water and so did the boats used for the shuttle service covering the first few hundred metres of our journey into Twin Falls Gorge.

Up until 2002 access to the beach of Twin Falls was only possible by swimming approximately 600m up the gorge. These days we stay well clear of the water in the gorge — and that is not only because of the water temperature (please refer to any of my posts in the category “Kakadu is Crocodile Country” if you’re wondering why I wouldn’t even stick my little toe in).
Instead, we’re enjoying the commentary of local interpretive guides telling us about their country, pointing out the flora and fauna in and around the crystal clear water, while we travel into this spectacular sandstone gorge.

Individual travellers can purchase their Twin Falls boat shuttle tickets at the Bowali Visitor Centre. Tickets are $12.50 per person (children under 16 free), must be purchased prior to travelling out to Twin Falls and they are also available at Mardugal Campground and Garnamarr Campground, the Gagudju Lodge Cooinda and Tourism Top End in Darwin.
No need to book a place on the boat, the service runs on demand throughout the day.

Admission to Twin Falls Gorge is, of course, included in the cost of our tours!

Heaps of fish can be seen in the creek: Barramundi, Saratoga, Black Bream, Archer Fish, Long Tom and lots more. And sometimes we’re lucky enough to spot Warradjan, the Pig-nosed Turtle or Gumogen, the Freshwater Crocodile from the boat. If you have a pair of polarised sunglasses, bring them along and you’ll be in awe!

At the halfway mark of our journey towards the falls we leave the boat. A marked tracked through sand and along the rocky edge of the creek leads us closer to our final destination, the sandy beach at the base of world-renowned Twin Falls.

Steve has the honour today to be the first “Top End Explorer” of the season to serve lunch at Twin Falls, he’s probably arranging the tomatoes on the salad platter as I’m typing this.

I can’t wait to get out there tomorrow!

Boh boh!
Anja

The Jim Jim Falls precinct will be open to visitors as of tomorrow!

Much earlier then in previous years rangers have been able to get Jim Jim Falls ready for opening. A short wet season with below average rainfall has made it possible!
The final crocodile surveys have been completed and the walking trails have been cleared and marked.

While there are still some roadworks underway on the gravel road between the Kakadu Highway turnoff and Garnamarr campground, we will visit the Jim Jim Falls area as of tomorrow!

However, we will have to wait a bit longer for the opening of the Twin Falls area: crocodile surveys are still underway in Twin Falls Creek, board walk and shuttle boats still have to be put back in place.
At this point we’re expecting to be allowed access in early June.

Although we’ve had a relatively ‘dry’ wet season, many roads and tracks in Kakadu have been washed out. One of the roads in desperate need of repair is the track into Maguk (Barramundi Gorge). The work in this area should be completed by the end of this month.

Until such time, Jim Jim Falls will be the only destination on our day tours. Don’t worry, we’ll make the journey into the stone country surrounding this Kakadu icon worthwile!

The Barrk Malam Walk to the top of the falls will be a definite highlight of our day tours, featuring shady monsoonal rainforests, rugged sandstone formations typical for the Arnhemland Plateau, endemic flora and fauna — and much more. While this 6km return walk is rated difficult and the initial ascend will get our heart rate started, it is well worth the effort!

Alternatively (because not all of our passengers are keen mountaineers) we stop in the old Jim Jim campground, now a day use area only, and take the short walk up to Budjmi Lookout. A short walk — but one of our absolute favourites as there is so much to see!

Hundreds of Common Crow Butterflies in the monsoonal rainforest along Jim Jim Creek are a spectacular sight! And we will always stop for a while and listen to this very noisy family of Spangled Drongos up in the trees.

The 900m walk into the gorge will later give us a totally different perspective of the area — plus we get the opportunity for a refreshing swim in the pools under the towering cliffs of Jim Jim Falls.

Boh boh
Anja

We care about Kakadu National Park with its special places and beautiful people.

That’s why we’d like to share our tread lightly policy with travellers coming to Kakadu. No news to those who’ve been choosing sustainable travel options for a while, we have just adapted a few points to pay tribute to Kakadu’s unique conditions:

Travel responsibly on designated roads and trails and in permitted areas only.

• Adhere to road closures, they’re in place for good reason
• Keep on the track, even if it’s muddy
• Never take shortcuts or go bush bashing
• If you haven’t got a 4WD stay off designated 4WD tracks
• Camp only in designated camp sites

Respect the rights of others.

• You’re visiting Aboriginal Land, respect the rights of its Traditional Owners
• Respect Aboriginal cultural sites and private property
• Allow your fellow travellers and others to enjoy their recreational activities undisturbed
• People visit Kakadu National Park to connect with nature, show consideration for other visitors
• Everything in the park is protected by law
• Never disturb or remove plants, animals or Aboriginal artefacts

Educate yourself by obtaining information, maps, permits and regulations.

• Visit Bowali, Kakadu National Park’s headquarters and visitor centre or call (08) 8938 1121
• While you’re there, check the road condition report and the “What’s On” guide to find out about ranger-guided activities
• Plan for your trip and come well equipped
• Know how to operate your equipment safely and where you’re permitted to use it

Avoid sensitive areas such river banks, wetlands and floodplains, unless on designated routes.

• Protect sensitive soils from damage
• Leaving formed tracks causes erosion and destroys plants
• Protect wildlife habitats and do not interfere with wild animals
• Feeding animals can make them sick or turn them into aggressive scavengers
• Avoid spreading noxious weeds or feral pests

Do your part by leaving the area better than you found it.

• Properly dispose of waste
• Pick up any rubbish you find
• Carry out all rubbish, including cigarette butts, orange peels and apple cores
• Never bury rubbish or discard in fire places
• Use a toilet if available or go as far as practical from water and campsites and bury waste as deep as possible
• Exposed toilet paper and human waste is an eyesore and a health hazard
• Detergents and soaps pollute the water and harm aquatic  life. Wash yourself and your dinner dishes as far as practical from water sources
• Use detergents only when necessary
• Preferably apply sunscreen after your swim, wear UV-protective clothing to protect yourself
• Use designated fireplaces and use firewood sparingly
• Collect firewood within the national park, do not bring firewood into Kakadu National Park
• Keep in mind that hollow logs are often inhabited by nocturnal animals

Boh boh

Anja

Kakadu National Park rangers and road crews have been working hard to get Gunlom open in time for the Easter weekend.

Gunlom is usually one of the first dry season attractions to open to visitors and as of Thursday, 09 April 2009 we will visit this gorgeous waterfall in the southern region of Kakadu on our early dry season tours!

I can’t wait to take the walking trail to the top of the escarpment and cool down in the rock pools above the falls!

Boh boh

Anja