Jabiru in Kakadu National Park

Jabiru is the main settlement in Kakadu National Park. If you’re looking for a hotel in Jabiru, you can assess the town through its cultural and recreational offerings: the Bowali Visitor Centre combines an exhibition about Kakadu with visitor assistance, the Marrawuddi Gallery showcases art by artists from Kakadu and the wider region, and Jabiru Lake has a walking path and recreation park. There is also a swimming pool, a golf course and the Kakadu Triathlon, held annually in May. These offerings appeal to different interests and can be considered individually when choosing a destination, rather than treated as a single program.

Visitor information and art

The Bowali Visitor Centre is located in Jabiru. It has a theatre, a library and an interpretive exhibition about Kakadu. Visitors can also get help with trip planning and pick up a park pass there. Learning about Kakadu and getting practical planning support are available side by side at the same visitor centre. When considering Jabiru, it is helpful to distinguish between the exhibition, which covers park-related topics, and the direct visitor services of trip-planning assistance and park-pass collection.

The Marrawuddi Gallery showcases Indigenous art by artists from Kakadu and the wider region. This means the origins of the art on display are not limited to Kakadu. Unlike the Bowali Visitor Centre, whose exhibition is devoted to Kakadu, the Gallery focuses on art and the regional origins of its artists. If cultural offerings are among your travel interests, the two venues provide different points of interest: a park exhibition or a gallery featuring art from Kakadu and the wider area.

Recreation at Jabiru Lake and around town

There is a walking path with picnic areas around Jabiru Lake. The lake also has a recreation park with a playground and barbecue facilities. These two areas offer different ways to enjoy the lake: the path combines your visit with a walk, while the park brings together a playground and barbecue facilities. Depending on your interest in exercise, picnicking or park facilities, you can factor the lake’s offerings into your trip planning.

Another specific offering is Jabiru’s 50-metre Olympic-size swimming pool. It has a lift system for people with reduced mobility, and there is a splash pad for children. The pool’s size, lift system and splash pad are separate features to consider when deciding whether swimming fits your trip plans. Opening hours may change, so check the current hours before visiting.

Golf and the Kakadu Triathlon

Visitors can access a nine-hole golf course in Jabiru. The Kakadu Triathlon takes place in Jabiru every year in May, providing a specific date to plan a trip around the event. The golf course and the triathlon are therefore different reasons to include Jabiru in your trip plans: golf is the focus in one case, while the other is an annual sporting event. Future dates and event details may change; if you’re travelling for the triathlon, check the information for the relevant year.

Discover more destinations: Nhulunbuy, Dundee Beach, Marrara, Alyangula, Kakadu, Marrakai, Nightcliff, Malak

For the broader travel overview: Northern Territory.