Jabiru: Art and leisure in Kakadu National Park

Jabiru is the main town in Kakadu National Park. If you are looking for accommodation for a trip to the park, you can include Jabiru as a location in your search. The town brings together several different interests: the Bowali Visitor Centre offers park information and trip planning, the Marrawuddi Gallery focuses on art from Kakadu and the wider region, and Jabiru Lake has options for walks and leisure.

Park information and trip planning

The Bowali Visitor Centre in Jabiru combines an interpretive exhibition about Kakadu with a theatre and a library. The exhibition focuses on Kakadu, while the theatre and library complement the centre’s facilities. Visitors can also get help with trip planning and collect a park pass at the centre. Bowali therefore combines learning about Kakadu with a practical planning step.

Art from Kakadu and the wider region

The Marrawuddi Gallery offers a different cultural perspective. It showcases Indigenous art by artists from Kakadu and the wider region. In contrast to the Bowali Visitor Centre, whose exhibition takes an interpretive approach to Kakadu, the gallery focuses on art and the regional origins of the artists. If culture is an important part of your trip, the gallery provides a specific focus alongside the lakeside amenities and sporting options.

Walks and leisure at Jabiru Lake

There is a walking track around Jabiru Lake, with picnic spots along the way. The lake is also home to a recreation park with a playground and barbecue facilities. You can choose between the options when planning your day: combine a walk with a break at the picnic spots, or include the recreation park with its playground and barbecue facilities. If you are travelling with children, you can consider the playground as a specific part of what the lake has to offer, while keeping in mind that the walking track and recreation park provide different experiences.

Swimming and sports

Jabiru has a 50-metre Olympic swimming pool. Its facilities include a lift system for people with reduced mobility and a splash pad for children. These features address different practical needs: the lift system is relevant for people with reduced mobility, while the splash pad is specifically for children. As opening hours can change, check the current schedule before planning a visit to the pool.

Visitors also have access to a 9-hole golf course in Jabiru. The Kakadu Triathlon, held every May in Jabiru, is an annual event to consider when planning your trip. If you are planning your trip around the event, check the specific upcoming dates and arrangements, as event dates and details can change. This makes it easy to distinguish between the golf course as an option for visitors and the triathlon, which takes place in a specific month.

Discover more destinations: Ludmilla, Dundee Beach, Tennant Creek, Adelaide River, Mataranka, Marrakai, Alyangula, Larrakeyah

For the main travel overview: Northern Territory.