Kakadu

NT 822 • Northern Territory

315
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
15896.84 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteRuralTourist HubOutbackHistoric

About Kakadu

Kakadu is a vast locality in the Northern Territory of Australia, encompassing the boundaries of the world-renowned Kakadu National Park, located approximately 171 kilometres east of Darwin. The locality covers an extraordinary 15,897 square kilometres of diverse landscapes including floodplains, wetlands, sandstone escarpment, and tropical forest, and holds dual World Heritage listing for both its outstanding natural environment and its exceptional Aboriginal cultural significance. With a small resident population of around 315 people — predominantly park rangers, Indigenous community members, and tourism workers — it is one of Australia's most unique and remote localities.

Kakadu is Australia's largest national park and one of its most celebrated natural and cultural treasures, attracting over 200,000 visitors annually. The park is home to more than 5,000 Aboriginal rock art sites — including the iconic Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) and Ubirr sites — as well as exceptional biodiversity featuring over 280 bird species, saltwater crocodiles, and rare flora. Key visitor destinations within the locality include Yellow Water Billabong, Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls, and the Bowali Visitor Centre near Jabiru. The township of Jabiru provides essential services including accommodation, a supermarket, medical facilities, and fuel for both residents and visitors.

Kakadu falls under postcode 822 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Spillett electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
822
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Locality
Timezone
Darwin (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-11.76°, 130.63°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
15896.84 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Greyhound Australia (Darwin to Jabiru) — Darwin CBD ~3 hrs

Commute to Darwin CBD

Distance
171 km
By Train
No rail service available
By Car (Peak)
2.5–3 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.5 hrs

🛣️ Arnhem Highway is the main road connection to Darwin. Jabiru is the nearest town within the locality providing services. A car or 4WD is essential.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

An extremely remote national park locality; a vehicle is essential for all movement, and services are concentrated in Jabiru township.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
315
0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
N/A
Income 2021
N/A
0% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kakadu known for? +

Kakadu is world-famous as Australia's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its extraordinary Aboriginal rock art (over 5,000 sites), diverse wildlife including saltwater crocodiles and 280 bird species, dramatic landscapes, and waterfalls such as Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls.

How far is Kakadu from Darwin? +

Kakadu National Park is approximately 171 kilometres east of Darwin, making it around a 2.5 to 3-hour drive via the Arnhem Highway.

Does Kakadu have public transport? +

There is no rail service in Kakadu. Greyhound Australia operates coach services between Darwin and Jabiru (the main township within the locality). However, a car or 4WD is strongly recommended for exploring the park, as many attractions are only accessible by road.

What is the population of Kakadu? +

Kakadu has a small resident population of approximately 315 people according to the 2021 Census, comprising mainly Indigenous community members, park rangers, and tourism workers based primarily in Jabiru township.

Is Kakadu a good place to live? +

Kakadu suits those passionate about conservation, Indigenous culture, or tourism, offering a truly unique lifestyle immersed in one of the world's great natural environments. However, its extreme remoteness, isolation, and limited services mean it is not suited to most urban lifestyles.

What is the postcode for Kakadu? +

The postcode for Kakadu is 822, covering the Kakadu National Park locality in the Northern Territory.