WURRGENG SEASON
TOURISM INDUSTRY UPDATE # 14 19 August 2013
Red-flowered Kurrajong (Brachychiton megaphyllus)
COLD WEATHER TIME
Nadab Lookout, Ubirr
Cold nights, crisp mornings, misty sunrises over the wetlands, pleasant days with blue skies and a fresh afternoon breeze – enjoy the cooler weather while it lasts! For those of you who like the detail, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) predicts that between August and October there is a greater than 60 per cent chance of maximum temperatures exceeding the long-term median maximum temperature in the Top End. For more detail go to the BOM website by clicking here . It’s going to be a hot Gurrung!
This also means there will be increased activity from Kakadu’s cold-blooded inhabitants.
Expect lots of reptile action and don’t forget to report any unusual sightings to our team at the Bowali Visitor Centre by emailing kakadunationalpark@environment.gov.au
or by calling on 08 8938 1120.
We would love to hear from you if you’ve spotted one of our more elusive species!
Are you using a smartphone on tour? There are some great smartphone apps available to record wildlife sightings, including GPS coordinates . It’s a great way to share information with our research officer who keeps a record of incidental sightings!
For more information about Kakadu National Park contact Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 89 381120 or visit our websites www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/ or www.kakadu.com.au
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A few weeks ago we announced the arrival of the brand new Bowali Tourism Touchscreen.
It has found a home on the front counter of our visitor centre
. It’s doing a wonderful job spreading the good word about Kakadu and its inspiring touring and accommodation options.
It is just one of over 240 touch screens located in Visitor Information Centres and other high profile tourist venues across
Australia and New Zealand.
Interested in advertising on the
Touchscreen? It’s not too late to take advantage of this innovative opportunity.
Zalan, Staneil, Tracey and Brooke showing off the new Bowali gadget
The touchscreen promotes local content first followed by content from other regions.
Advertising on this expanding network will give your product enormous exposure to visitors near and far. For more information give Daniel Nasso from Datatrax Tourism Touchscreens a call on 02 6274 9900 or email: nswmidnorth@datatrax.com
.
It’s been all over the news... As part of a concentrated effort to crack down on the illegal hunting and wildlife trade, Kakadu rangers have increased their patrols, particularly targeting pig hunters who have been bringing their dogs into the park and operating in areas closed to the public.
It’s an offence under the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to bring an animal into the park unless it’s an animal registered to assist a visually or hearing impaired person (see Regulation 12.19).
If you have information about any possible illegal hunting activities, please call Jabiru Police on
08 8979 2122 or the Bowali Visitor Centre on 08 8938 1120.
All information received is treated confidentially.
Some pooches are allowed to enter and remain in the park. These include guide dogs and companion dogs, which are usually recognisable and well trained.
There is no need to apply for a special permit to bring a guide dog into the park as long their owner carries a certificate issued by a medical practitioner stating the nature of their impairment and explaining the need to travel with a four-legged companion.
We welcome a quick phone call from visitors wanting to bring their companion dog in to the park. These calls are much appreciated as they allow us to inform district rangers and compliance staff to avoid hiccups.
For more information, please contact the Bowali Visitor Centre on 08 8938 1120.
For more information about Kakadu National Park contact Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 89 381120 or visit our websites www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/ or www.kakadu.com.au
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We’re receiving quite a few reports from visitors, Jabiru locals and park rangers about snakes causing a stir at night time. They cause a lot of noise while rubbing against rocks and trees trying to rid themselves of their old skin.
Most of the time the nocturnal commotion goes unnoticed. The next day the only evidence is the shed skin found in the fork of the tree or among the rocks. Ranger Christian found this snake skin (pictured) at Ubirr last week. I t’s the skin of a king brown snake estimated to be at least two metres long and as thick as an adult’s arm. His kids thought it was fantastic!
Christian’s children with a king brown snake skin Northern death adder at Nourlangie art site
Snakes, venomous and non-venomous, are common throughout the park. The northern death adder (pictured) was recently found next to the walking track at Nourlangie. Its sighting provides a timely reminder to:
1) stay on marked walking tracks
2) don’t walk through thick scrub or leaf litter
3) wear sturdy shoes
4) use a torch after dark!
Check out the photo album on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/KakaduNationalPark for more great photos of snakes and other reptiles!
Have you got exciting photos and stories to share? Then jump on our Facebook page and forward your images by sending us a message.
Let us know what you think about our Industry Updates
. It only takes a few minutes and we’d love to hear your ideas about how we can improve our content. Go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HML56G5
We look forward to sharing the results after the survey closing date of 23 August.
For more details and questions, please contact kakadu.permits@environment.gov.au
or
Anja Toms on 08 8938 1176.
For more information about Kakadu National Park contact Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 89 381120 or visit our websites www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/ or www.kakadu.com.au
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A few weeks ago we invited you to come and spend some time on country with our seasonal interpretive rangers, listening to their talks, experiencing well-known sites in a new way and sharing valuable knowledge.
This is a great opportunity to see what working in Kakadu is about and to learn more about the park.
This is a free professional development opportunity available until 6 October
2013 .
For more information please
Seasonal Ranger Jol talking about
‘People and floodplains’ at Nadab lookout.
Photo: Simon Krzic call Lia Arcioni on 08 8938 1106 or email lia.arcioni@environment.gov.au
.
Exciting news for all photography buffs!
It’s time to get your camera out and capture your favourite Kakadu wetlands and their inhabitants! The WetlandCare Australia Photography Prize
2014 is now open!
WetlandCare Australia invites photographers of all ages to enter their competition.
It’s an opportunity for everyone to share their favourite wetland with others and take part in raising awareness about the importance of wetlands for all life on our planet.
There are some awesome prizes to be won and your works will be on exhibit in Townsville,
Queensland, in time to celebrate World Wetlands
Day on Sunday, 2 February 2014.
For all the details check out: http://www.wetlandcare.com.au/index.php?cID=639
The date for this year’s Mahbilil Festival has been announced! This annual event will take place at Lake Jabiru on Saturday, 14 September 2013 . Everybody is welcome to enjoy market and food stalls, night time lantern display, entertainment and live music from local and international bands from midday to midnight!
Watch this space for program updates!
For more information about Kakadu National Park contact Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 89 381120 or visit our websites www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/ or www.kakadu.com.au
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Unfortunately work scheduled to grade the Jim Jim Road between the Kakadu Highway turnoff and Garnamarr campground on Friday, 9 August 2013 did not happen.
Be assured, we are trying our very best to coordinate alternative staff and dates so that grading can get underway as soon as possible. We thank you for your patience.
RELATIONSHIP, RESPONSIBILITIES, RESPECT – REMEMBER THE 3 R’s
When conducting a tour through Kakadu National Park you are considered an interpreter of the local culture. You have a responsibility to be aware of the cultural heritage of Kakadu National
Park and as you know, t he traditional Aboriginal owners’ knowledge of and relationship with the land is an integral part of Kakadu National Park and its story.
Please consider the following when showcasing Kakadu to visitors.
Relationship
R ecognise Indigenous people’s unique relationship and connection to the land.
Kakadu is a cultural landscape, the heritage of its people is entwined with the essence of their country.
This relationship embraces a responsibility to look after the spiritual and environmental wellbeing of country.
Responsibility
Acknowledge the ongoing responsibility Indigenous people have to their country.
Responsibilities include paying respect to spiritual ancestors who created the land and introduced customs.
Bininj/Mungguy share the responsibility to care for country according to traditional law.
Recognise your own responsibility to travel thoughtfully
—the choices you make when travelling do make a difference.
Respect – Respect Aboriginal beliefs associated with country and culture.
As a visitor, respect the wishes of your hosts, their privacy and any restrictions that you have been asked to observe.
There may be places that are closed to visitors because of their cultural significance – heed advice if you’re asked not to enter an area.
Show respect by not entering restricted areas. They may be sacred sites, ceremonial sites, burial grounds or even someone’s home.
Funerals and cultural ceremonies are times of special privacy
– use extra sensitivity in communities around this time.
In some places it is culturally inappropriate to swim or fish in waterways, waterholes and/or sea country.
For more information about Kakadu National Park contact Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 89 381120 or visit our websites www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/ or www.kakadu.com.au
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The possession or consumption of alcohol is restricted in some areas of the park – these restrictions also apply to visitors.
When in doubt about where you can and cannot go, it is good practice to ask first.
Further reading: http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/tourism/kakadu/background/pdf/welcome.pdf
http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/tourism/kakadu/background/pdf/visitorguide.pdf
http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/tourism/kakadu/values/pdf/Aculturallandscape.pdf
WISH TO SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE?
Visit our website www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/industry-update.html
to manage your subscription to these updates.
Don’t forget we’d love to include your guides too, so please encourage them to sign up and receive our monthly updates. Copies are also available from Bowali Visitor Information Centre.
GOT A STORY?
This is your newsletter. If you’ve got an event or a story you’d like us to share with the tourism industry please let us know.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Don’t forget to like us on Facebook for updates about what is happening in the park.
Post your favourite photos or share a story of your own with us. blog facebook twitter flickr podcasts
ROAD REPORT
Daily road reports are available on our website: www.kakadu.com.au/access
For more information about Kakadu National Park contact Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 89 381120 or visit our websites www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/ or www.kakadu.com.au
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