Rain brings Kakadu National Park alive

The recent rainfall has filled the local rivers and creeks with Nourlangie ‘three bridges’ on the Kakadu Highway flooding over the road the first time in a long while. The rain has also made changes to the landscape including the lookout towards Gunbalanya from Ubirr rock. Photo credit: Jacqueline Cahill

The recent rainfall has filled the local rivers and creeks with Nourlangie ‘three bridges’ on the Kakadu Highway flooding over the road for the first time in a long while.
This rain has also got the fish moving with a huge number of fishermen trying their luck around the region with some great fish being produced.
This bodes well for run off fishing in March, as barramundi from dozens of waterholes move into the mouth of Nourlangie Creek, situated a few kilometres upstream of the South Alligator Bridge on the Arnhem Highway.
And don’t forget the Jim Jim system, which is also a great contributor of recruitment barra into the South Alligator.
However, fishermen must be cautious particularly when culvert fishing, and be aware of dangers that lurk quietly below or road trains approaching at great speed along the highways.
As for the crocodile risk, Kakadu’s crocodile expert Garry Lindner has this advice, "You may not see crocodiles at these roadside locations – but be cautious. Always expect that a crocodile may be in the area. Some crocs move into well known culvert fishing locations and remain there for the duration of the wet season. They are attracted – just like fishermen – to the fish."
"Road users, fishermen and other users need to take care when accessing these areas particularly during the wet season," Garry says.