Kakadu National Park

Latest news

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Statement from Director of National Parks

Wednesday 23 October 2024

Since commencing in the role of Director of National Parks, I have been focused on repairing relationships with Kakadu’s Traditional Owners and rebuilding trust by acknowledging and learning from past mistakes.

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Statement from Director of National Parks regarding Gunlom Falls prosecution

Wednesday 29 May 2024

Since commencing in the office of the Director of National Parks in November 2023, I have been committed to resolving the Gunlom Falls matter and repairing relationships with Traditional Owners.

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2023 australian world heritage 5 colouredunc rev.

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa and Kakadu National Parks Etched in Time

Friday 1 September 2023

Some of Australia’s World-Heritage wonders are officially etched in time, featuring on a brand new coin to celebrate Australia's natural and built heritage.  

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Bird Week 2023

Kakadu Bird Week soaring through the skies

Tuesday 29 August 2023

Kakadu Bird Week is soaring through the Kakadu skies again in 2023 with unique birding, artistic and cultural activities curated by local Bininj/Mungguy Traditional Owners and bird experts from 28 September to 3 October for bird enthusiasts to enjoy.  

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Kakadu cultural burns

Kakadu cultural burns

Thursday 9 March 2023

In Kakadu, park rangers and Traditional Owners work together using cultural burning practices to protect land and Country.

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Kakadu Visitor Boom

Wednesday 8 February 2023

Kakadu National Park recorded its highest visitor numbers in 13 years with 208,056 visitors to the park in 2022.

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Cahills crossing viewing platform upgrade kakadu national park 104.

Major infrastructure investment for Cahills Crossing

Friday 4 November 2022

Kakadu National Park’s Cahills Crossing Viewing Area re-opened following a $3 million infrastructure investment into the visitor site.

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Cahills Crossing Platform. Credit Parks Australia

Cahills Crossing Viewing Area Reopens

Thursday 29 September 2022

Kakadu National Park’s Cahills Crossing Viewing Area will re-open today following a $3 million upgrade at the site.

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Crimson Finch. Credit Luke Paterson

Kakadu Bird Week 2022

Tuesday 16 August 2022

Kakadu Bird Week will take flight between 30 September to 7 October 2022

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Safety Alert: Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Thursday 11 August 2022

There is currently an outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) in Australia. JEV most commonly occurs in pigs and horses, but it is spread by mosquitoes. It is rare but can cause severe disease.

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Jim jim falls, credit parks australia.

Jim Jim Falls And Twin Falls Walk Open To Visitors

Friday 24 June 2022

One of Kakadu National Park’s grandest waterfalls, Jim Jim Falls will open to visitors from Monday, 27 June 2022, with the majestic Twin Falls Escarpment Walk set to open on the same day.

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Bush tucker

Taste of Kakadu opening night rescheduled to Saturday 21 May

Monday 16 May 2022

The Taste of Kakadu festival opening night celebrations at Bowali Visitor Centre have been rescheduled from Friday 20 May to Saturday 21 May. The decision has been made out of respect for the passing of a senior Mirrar Traditional Owner whose funeral will be held on Friday 20 May. Parks Australia extends its sympathies to the family of Ngal-Kankila Ngalmirama who passed away recently.

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Campground merl east alligator, credit parks australia.

East Alligator region visitor sites to open 2 April 2022

Friday 1 April 2022

Ubirr, Cahills Crossing viewing platform and Merl Campground will open to visitors from Saturday 2 April 2022 after restricted wet season access. This also includes the upstream and downstream boat ramps.

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Bush tucker

Taste of Kakadu 2022 - where cuisine, culture and country meet

Tuesday 22 March 2022

Australia’s premier Indigenous food and cultural festival, Taste of Kakadu is back in 2022 with a tantalising program of events and activities to delight the senses.

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Sign to the Bowali Visitor Centre

COVID-19 Update – Visitor restrictions and latest closures

Friday 7 January 2022

Kakadu National Park has closed the Bowali Visitor Centre and the Information Centre at the Mary River Ranger Station to help reduce the risk of COVID impacting staff and the local community.

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Bowali Visitor Centre

New Business Opportunity at Bowali Visitor Centre

Wednesday 15 December 2021

Calling all community members and regional businesses who want to grab a new business opportunity to sell food at Bowali Visitor Centre in Kakadu National Park.

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Anbangbang Billabong

Bowali Visitor Centre re-opening & Christmas opening hours

Thursday 9 December 2021

The Bowali Visitor Centre and the Information Centre at the Mary River Ranger Station are now open to the public after being temporarily closed due to COVID-19 restrictions in the Northern Territory.

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Anbangbang Billabong

Bowali Visitor Centre re-opens

Wednesday 10 November 2021

The Bowali Visitor Centre and the Information Centre at the Mary River Ranger Station re-open to the public today after being temporarily closed due to COVID-19 restrictions in the Northern Territory.

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Maguk at Kakadu National Park

Reopening of Maguk after respectful closure

Tuesday 19 October 2021

In line with cultural practice and the wishes of the Traditional Owners of Maguk in Kakadu National Park, the area was closed following the passing of Ngal - Bangardi Long, a senior Yurlkmanj Traditional Owner of the area.

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Kakadu Seasonal Ranger, Oscar Cooper

Sharing Culture and Country: Kakadu's Seasonal Ranger Program

Tuesday 12 October 2021

Our seasonal ranger-guided activities have wrapped up for the year, and for those who haven't caught a Mamukala or Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) tour, we’re introducing you to Oscar Cooper, who's just completed his first year as a seasonal ranger at Kakadu.

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Maguk

Passing of senior Kakadu Traditional Owner and respectful closure of Maguk

Monday 11 October 2021

The Director of National Parks acknowledges the passing of Ngal - Bangardi Long, a senior Yurlkmanj Traditional Owner of the Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) area.

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Ubirr at Kakadu National Park

The Passing of Mr M Markham - Statement from Parks Australia and Director of National Parks

Wednesday 29 September 2021

Kakadu National Park and the Director of National Parks would like to pass on sincere condolences to the family of Mr Mick Markham, who sadly passed away on 24 September 2021.

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Blue-winged kookaburra. Credit Luke Paterson, NT Bird Specialists

Kakadu Bird Week flying high for 10th Anniversary

Friday 27 August 2021

Kakadu Bird Week is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2021 with a clutch of wonderful bird-related activities.

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Twin Falls plateau

Jim Jim Creek crossing and Twin Falls escarpment walk reopening

Thursday 19 August 2021

Jim Jim Creek Crossing and the Twin Falls escarpment walk have reopened to visitors, with the upgrades to Jim Jim Creek Crossing now completed. This means visitors to Kakadu National Park can now explore the captivating Twin Falls escarpment walk for the first time in almost two years.

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Four Mile Hole looking south from the boat ramp.

Fishers rush to Kakadu's Four Mile Hole

Friday 23 July 2021

Northern Territory fishers have leapt at the chance to land big barramundi at Four Mile Hole Billabong in Kakadu after in reopened yesterday following an extended closure.

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Artist's impression of what the crossing will look like by the end of the dry season

Upgrades begin at Jim Jim Creek

Tuesday 13 July 2021

Upgrades will shortly commence at Jim Jim Creek crossing to improve dry season access to the Twin Falls plateau walk and surrounding area.

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Cahills Crossing

Cahills Crossing re-opens

Friday 9 July 2021

Following the Northern Territory Government’s further easing of COVID-19 health restrictions, vehicle access has re-opened at Cahills Crossing from 1 pm today, 9 July 2021. The closure is at the request of Traditional Owners in the Arnhem Land in response to the evolving COVID-19 situation.

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Nawurlandja landscape. Photo: Maurice Mathey

Cahills Crossing closed

Friday 2 July 2021

The Northern Territory Government has closed Cahills Crossing for vehicle access from today, 2 July 2021. The closure is at the request of Traditional Owners in the Arnhem Land in response to the evolving COVID-19 situation.

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Artist's impression of early concept design. troppo + T.C.L

Cahills Crossing construction open for tender

Wednesday 30 June 2021

Parks Australia is seeking submissions to tender for exciting new upgrades to the Cahills Crossing Viewing Platform area in Kakadu National Park.

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Nawurlundja at Kakadu National Park

Kakadu’s Board of Management grows

Sunday 27 June 2021

Kakadu’s Board of Management is set to grow from 15 to 21 members following an in-depth review of park management structures, recommendations from the Northern Land Council, and consultation with Traditional Owners.

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Yvonne Margarula, Senior Mirarr Traditional Owner and Director Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation receiving the Jabiru Town deed of grant.

Jabiru handover

Saturday 26 June 2021

Commonwealth Government representatives and the Director of National Parks Jody Swirepik joined Traditional Owners on Saturday, 26 June 2021 in a ceremony to hand over the Kakadu township of Jabiru to the Mirarr People.

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Ubirr

Ubirr reopens to visitors

Wednesday 23 June 2021

Ubirr, one of Kakadu National Park’s premier lookouts and rock art sites reopens today following an extended closure out of respect for the passing of senior Murrwan-Uringangk Traditional Owner, Mr M. Na-Gangila Bangalang.

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Jim Jim Falls at Kakadu National Park

Kakadu favourite Jim Jim Falls reopens

Friday 18 June 2021

The Karnamarr Campground will open at 4pm today, ahead of Jim Jim Falls being opened to visitors at 8am on Saturday 19 June.

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Ubirr, credit mrlasse.

Respectful closure of Ubirr extended

Friday 11 June 2021

The respectful closure of Ubirr in Kakadu National Park has been extended following the passing of senior Murrwan-Uringangk Traditional Owner, Mr M. Na-Gangila Bangalang.

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Nawurlundja at Kakadu National Park

Kakadu open for business as visitors soak up wet season sites

Thursday 6 May 2021

Kakadu National Park is looking forward to the seasonal opening of various sites across the park to visitors after a big wet season, as water levels drop and crocodile surveys near completion.

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East Alligator river

Easter Alligator (Erre) region – Update on closures

Friday 23 April 2021

The closure advice for the East Alligator (Erre) region following the recent passing of senior Murrwan-Uringangk Traditional Owner Na-gangila Banggalang has been revised.

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Kakadu National Park

Passing of Mr M. Na-gangila Bangalang and respectful closure of Ubirr and the East Alligator region

Tuesday 13 April 2021

The Director of National Parks acknowledges the passing of Mr M. Na-gangila Bangalang, prominent and important Senior Murrwan Traditional Owner in the Erre Region and member of the Kakadu National Park Board of Management.

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Gunlom Falls. Photo: Ian Oswald Jacobs

Gunlom Falls sacred site protection

Wednesday 31 March 2021

Parks Australia has today reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the issues raised by the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) in a constructive manner, and to work with the Traditional Owners of Kakadu National Park to ensure their culture, their heritage and their sacred sites are protected.

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Ubirr walk sunset lookout

Final Tourism Master Plan released

Monday 15 February 2021

The Kakadu Tourism Master Plan is a ten-year strategy to grow culturally appropriate tourism in the national park and was developed in consultation with Kakadu’s Traditional Owners, Board of Management and the tourism industry.

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Passes and permits

Update to Park Passes for entry to national parks from 1 January 2021

Thursday 10 December 2020

The Australian Government’s fee waiver period for Booderee, Kakadu and Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Parks is coming to a close on 31 December 2020.

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Gunlom Falls. Photo: Ian Oswald Jacobs

Temporary closure of Gunlom due to heavy rain

Tuesday 17 November 2020

Due to heavy rain and high water levels, all access to Gunlom including the campground and lower plunge pool, has been temporarily closed for safety reasons.

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Parks Australia staff undertaking roadkill survey

Lockdown provides survey opportunities in Kakadu

Monday 14 September 2020

Earlier this year Kakadu staff used the COVID-19 park closure as a rare opportunity to collect baseline data on the impacts of vehicle traffic on wildlife in Kakadu National Park.

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Social distancing in Kakadu National Park

Exclusion zone set up for humpback whale at Kakadu

Friday 11 September 2020

Earlier this week we became aware of a very unusual event at Kakadu National Park - three Humpback Whales had entered the East Alligator River. As far as we’re aware, this is the first time this has happened.

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Total fire ban

Kakadu National Park – Total Fire Ban in place

Thursday 27 August 2020

Due to severe weather conditions a Total Fire Ban for Kakadu National Park is in place until midnight Friday 28 August 2020.

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Djarradjin (Muirella Park)

Djarradjin (Muirella Park) temporary closure

Tuesday 4 August 2020

Djarradjin (Muirella Park), including the Bubba walk and Sandy Billabong (Djirrilba) day use and camping area will be closed from 12:00 pm Monday 10 August until 5:00 pm Wednesday 12 August 2020 for an exclusive event.

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Artist’s impression of Cahills Crossing viewing platform

Tenders open for Cahills Crossing viewing platform

Thursday 16 July 2020

Kakadu National Park is seeking submissions to help bring to life a new idea for one of the most popular croc-spotting sites in the park.

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Jim Jim Falls

Jim Jim, Maguk and more re-opening at Kakadu

Wednesday 1 July 2020

Parks Australia is pleased to announce that popular visitor sites including Jim Jim Falls and Maguk will re-open to visitors at Kakadu National Park from Friday, 3 July 2020.

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Social distancing in Kakadu National Park

Updated list of sites open to visitors

Wednesday 1 July 2020

The following sites are either open now to visitors or will be reopening from Friday, 3 July 2020 as indicated as part of a staged reopening of the national park.

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Passes and permits

Staged re-opening for Kakadu National Park

Friday 12 June 2020

Parks Australia has today announced staged re-opening plans for Kakadu and Ulur̲u-Kata Tjut̲a and National Parks, with both parks to welcome visitors from Friday, 19 June 2020.

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Passes and permits

Parks Australia temporary closures extended

Monday 6 April 2020

Parks Australia has today announced that the recent closures to Booderee, Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks, and the Australian National Botanic Gardens will be extended.

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Passes and permits

Waived park entry fees announced

Friday 13 March 2020

The Australian Government has announced that park entry fees will be waived for visitors to Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Kakadu and Booderee National Parks from 16 March to 31 December 2020.

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Twin Falls escarpment pools

Twin Falls update

Friday 17 January 2020

Access to Twin Falls has been severely limited in recent years due to high water levels at the crossing for much of the dry season. Following consistent feedback from tour operators and others in the tourism sector to improve access, we have made the decision to close Twin Falls in 2020 to conduct significant upgrades.

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Storm over the floodplains. Photo: Tourism NT

Cyclone update

Thursday 9 January 2020

Kakadu National Park is on cyclone watch and some parts of the park are closed, or may become inaccessible, over the coming days.

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Image of 4WD.

Kudjewk – monsoon season: check road access

Tuesday 7 January 2020

A tropical low has formed in the Arafura Sea to the north of Kakadu National Park that is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone and slowly track towards the Top End coast during the next three days.

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Ubirr at Kakadu National Park

Areas of the park closed for cultural reasons

Thursday 5 December 2019

We are writing to advise that Traditional Owners of Kakadu National Park have requested that areas of the park be closed for cultural reasons, following the passing of a Traditional Owner.

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Cultural art, Kakadu National Park. Photo Tourism NT

Growing Tourism in Kakadu

Monday 16 September 2019

On 13 January 2019, the Australian Government announced a $216 million funding package over 10 years to support growing tourism in Kakadu National Park and to support the Jabiru township to transition to a post-mining future. Investing in visitor infrastructure across Kakadu will support visitation to the park, provide employment and economic opportunities for Traditional Owners and encourage private investment in tourism in the park and in Jabiru.

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Announcement of Kakadu Tourism Master Plan

Tourism in Kakadu set to grow under new master plan

Wednesday 14 August 2019

Tourism in Kakadu is set for a massive boost thanks to two milestones announced today.

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Road closed ahead sign

Road closures in Jabiru – 11 May 2019

Monday 8 April 2019

All residential roads in Jabiru will be closed from 6.30 am to 9.00 am on Saturday 11 May 2019.

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Kakadu plum

Invitation for public comment – Kakadu plum harvesting

Tuesday 20 November 2018

Kakadu National Park has received a proposal from Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation to collect the fruit of Kakadu plum for commercial purposes.

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Swimming at Gunlom. Photo: Tourism NT

Gunlom closed 28 October – 4 November

Thursday 18 October 2018

Access to Gunlom Falls will be closed for a week from Sunday 28 October. The area will reopen on Sunday 4 November.

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Gunlom Falls. Photo: Ian Oswald Jacobs

High Ground filming underway in Kakadu

Monday 24 September 2018

A new Australian movie is being filmed in the park, which may affect access to some areas.

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2018 Australian Tourism Awards

Kakadu takes out top tourism award

Friday 23 February 2018

Kakadu National Park has taken out the Australian Tourism Awards top prize for Major Tourist Attraction for 2017.

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2017 Brolga Awards

Top End reigns in Alice Springs

Sunday 12 November 2017

On Saturday night in Alice Springs, Kakadu National Park took out the top prize for tourism at the Northern Territory's Brolga Awards, for the second year in a row. Winning the prize for major tourism attraction means Kakadu will proudly represent the Territory at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.

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Scenic flight over Kakadu. Photo: Tourism NT

Wanted: CEO and part-time croc wrangler

Thursday 26 October 2017

Take a ride on the wilder side of life and sign up for crocs, buffalo and the ultimate job – park manager of Kakadu National Park.

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Barrk Marlam walk

Changes to fee timetable, in response to industry feedback

Tuesday 29 November 2016

Thank you to everyone for advice and feedback on the first season of our new fee structure. The park adopted a new fee structure from 1 April 2016, incorporating both ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ season (tropical summer) prices to reflect seasonal access to some of the park’s key visitor sites.

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From left: Pete Cotsell, Bessie Coleman and Maria Lee

Recognition for Kakadu

Monday 14 November 2016

Last Saturday at the Brolga Awards, the Northern Territory's annual tourism awards, Kakadu National Park took out the major tourist attraction prize. Parks Australia ranger Christian (Tris) Diddams was also named SKAL tourism employee of the year, recognising his dedication and commitment to his job.

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Savana Eccles in the Savannah Woodlands

Expressions of Interest – Female Tourism Industry Representative

Monday 7 November 2016

The Kakadu National Park Board of Management is seeking expressions of interest from female tourism experts with demonstrated experience and expertise in the travel and tourism industry.

Click here for more details about this board position