Hi Scott.
In your original message you mentioned motel type accommodation. In the
northern section of the park you will find East Alligator (motel and
camping), which I stayed at back in 1987, before the park was 'civilised'
with a sealed road.
Further east at Jabiru there is a resort complex with motel units and a
back packer section where I stayed in October 1995. I don't recall it's
name, a fact I put down to the vegetation surrounding the units: the palms
and ferns from nurseries in North Queensland or Darwin just don't 'fit' in
Kakadu landscape of sweeping plains, wetlands and escarpments.
Further south is Cooinda, the motel closest to 'Yellow Waters' where an
early morning trip on the river is recommended.
You will need a hire car from Darwin to get around; there is a coach
service, tours etc, but they don't really suit a birder's need to stop and
look. Also, parts of the park are only open from 8.00 am (the Aboriginal
Rock Shelter at Nourlangie Rock being a prime example). I found this
rather frustrating as the Top End in October is in the wet season build up
and by 8.00 am the day is already hot; however I managed to see the white
lined honeyeater and chestnut quilled rock pigeon in the vicinity of
Nourlangie, despite the constant chatter of tour groups and dust from coaches.
Whilst I wish Scott an enjoyable and successful trip, does anyone else
lament the changing of Kakadu from outback gem of the 1980's into an
environmental theme park of the 1990's? Reply to me direct please, not to
the list.
Alex Appleman
Townsville
At 10:29 AM 6/15/98 -0700, you wrote:
>scott connop wrote:
>>
>> Can anyone recommend a few accommodations in the Darwin area and near
>> Kakadu (in Jabiru?), along the lines of a lodge or motel that has good
>> birding on its own? Is there anything along the lines of a Kingfisher
>> Park up in this area? If not, I would be happy to know what is
>> logistically good for Kakadu.
>>
>> Thank you,
>> ScottMy apologies for duplicating this message, but I did not receive any
>response except from 2 parties asking me to forward anything I got to
>them as they were similarly interested. What I am looking for is some
>info as to the logical spots for birders visiting Kakadu - are there any
>sources for info on this subject?
>
>Many thanks,
>
>Scott Connop
>
>
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