Kakadu Bird Week Tours 2025

Black-banded Fruit-dove (endemic)
Rainbow Pitta
White-lined Honeyeater (endemic)
Partridge Pigeon
Little Kingfisher
Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon (endemic)
Arafura Shrike-thrush
Yellow Water birdwatching cruises
Community walks & presentations

Tour Grading Table

Category
Start
Jabiru
End
Jabiru

Birdwatching focus
high
Wildlife focus
moderate
Photography focus
moderate | high
Culture focus
low
Walks rating
easy | moderate
Number of boat cruises
PublicPrivate
Sleeping options
n/a

2025 Kakadu Bird Week Program 24-28 September 2025

*Tours guided by NT Bird Specialists: – BOOK YOUR TOURS NOW

Join renowned Australian bird guide Luke Paterson and Team on guided birding tours of Kakadu at special event rates during Kakadu Bird Week 2025.
We’ll conduct BirdData surveys of Kakadu’s incredible birdlife, plus you can make the most out of learning how to identify tricky little brown birds with our expert bird guide.

Private tours available on request.

Book instantly online via the links below.

The full 2025 Kakadu National Park program can be viewed here:

2024 Events: *2025 program still in planning*

Birdwatching Tours:

Friday 27 September 2024 – East Alligator Region Monsoon Forest Birding Tour:
5:30-11:00am

Venture to north-east Kakadu to explore sandstone country & riverine monsoon forests searching for: Rainbow Pitta, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon, Pacific Baza, Arafura Fantail & Sandstone Shrike-thrush. Other wildlife includes Saltwater Crocodiles & Black Flying Foxes. Up to 3km walk, mostly flat with a small rocky section.

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Brolga performing a courtship dance

Saturday 28 September 2024 – South Alligator Region Wetlands Bird Photography Tour:
5:00-10:30am

Join Luke on a guided bird photography tour around the ever-changing & picturesque Mamukala Wetlands and South Alligator Floodplains (up to 3km flat loop walk). Search wetlands & paperbark forest for shorebirds & bush birds including Little Curlew, Peregrine Falcon, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Partridge Pigeon & cuckoo species. Capture Kakadu’s feathered beauties in gorgeous natural light and learn about ethical bird and wildlife photography with your expert bird photography guide Luke Paterson.

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Sunday 29 September 2024 – Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Region Sandstone Birding Tour:
5:00-11:30am, $230

Rise early for a flat 6 km return walk to a monsoonal vine forest, home to an array of endemic monsoon-dwellers: Black-banded Fruit-Dove, White-lined Honeyeater, Rainbow Pitta, Arafura and Sandstone Shrike-thrush & other specialities like Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon & Helmeted Friarbird (sandstone race). Plus make the most out of learning how to identify tricky little brown birds with your expert bird guide Luke Paterson. A moderate level of fitness is required for the hot conditions & you need to carry at least 2 litres of your own water & morning tea (provided). Other wildlife may include: Leichhardt’s Grasshopper & Black Wallaroo (Barrk).

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Private Birding Tours & Cruises – Enquire for rates and availability

Book private Kakadu birdwatching & bird photography tours and cruises with Luke Paterson to find your key species of interest from 25-29 Sept 2024. Search for key birds, (Kakadu endemics, Red Goshawk, Rainbow Pitta, finches and more). Please book early. Email Luke for bookings.

Cruises:

Yellow Water Birdwatching Cruise:

Join Cooinda Lodge’s boat guide and Luke Paterson on a 2-hour birdwatching cruise on Yellow Water Billabong. Explore the wetlands at sunset to find Black-necked Stork, White-bellied Sea-eagle, a plethora of ducks and Magpie Geese, and of course intriguing Comb-crested Jacanas. Shorebirds, finches and kingfishers are also highlights here.

Thursday 26 September – dawn cruise from 6:30-9am
Friday 27 September – sunset cruise from 4pm – 6:30pm
Saturday 28 September – sunset cruise from 4pm – 6:30pm

Please book with Yellow Water Cruises and make your way to the Cooinda shuttle bus stop from Jabiru township (110km return).

Birdwatching Presentation: Date TBA

7.30–8.30 pm

Discover Kakadu’s most exciting birds in World Heritage habitats. Luke Paterson from NT Bird Specialists will give an insightful presentation into birding in Kakadu National Park. Meet other bird enthusiasts and see what’s instore for Kakadu Bird Week 2023.

Jim Jim Room (upstairs), Mercure Crocodile Hotel, Jabiru, NT

Free Birdwatching Walk: Burrungkuy Art site, Date TBA

5–6.30 pm

Burrungkuy is home to an array of native birdlife. Join Luke Paterson from NT Bird Specialists for a relaxed walk around the Burrungkuy Art Site and spot birds located in this area. Meet Luke at the start of the Burrungkuy walking track at 4:45 pm for a 5 pm departure.

Free Birdwatching Tour: Jabiru, Date TBA

4–6.30 pm

Join Luke Paterson from NT Bird Specialists for a birding tour around the Jabiru township and spot birds located in this area. Spaces limited.

Virtual Birding Video:

Can’t make it in person this year? Watch our Birdwatching in Kakadu with Luke Paterson film here. Leave a comment and let us know what you think.

Share your Experiences:

We’d love to see your photos taken in Kakadu Bird Week 2021. A great way to share your story with others is to Follow/ Like Us and add your review and photos to our social pages (simply click the link and post away).

Facebook: @NTBirdSpecialists @Lukepaterson

Instagram: @NTBirdSpecialists_BirdingTours #ntbirdspecialists

Google Review:

Trip Advisor:

YouTube: Subscribe

Kakadu Bird Week Tours 2024 include:

*Special Kakadu Bird Week tour rate and discounts* The 2024 program is largely FREE, so pack your binoculars and head out to Kakadu for a week of great birding. Register for activities here:
*Pick ups/drop off from Jabiru accommodation on all tours.
*Professional bird guiding with Luke Paterson, transport in commercial tour vehicle, morning tea, drinking water, Kakadu bird list, communal spotting scope
*Evening presentations and guided walks
Tours exclude: *Other meals, accommodation, Cooinda transfers, BYO breakfast and Kakadu Park Pass, car hire (see details for car hire below)

Notes:
*Please bring: Binoculars, camera, wide hat, walking shoes/boots, backpack, repellent, sunscreen, 1L drink bottle, long sleeved clothing, personal medications and your Kakadu Park Pass
*Minimum numbers for departure apply.
*These tours start/conclude in Kakadu National Park.

Do your bit and submit valuable data to BirdData and E-Bird during the week and Make Your Birding Count.

Vehicle hire, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

You can now book your 4WD Car and Camper Vehicle Hire through NT Bird Specialists and the local family-owned company, Adventure Rentals NT.

Fantastic for birders and photographers who like to get to Darwin to join our tours by means other than flying, or for those who’d like to explore the bush a bit more before or after tour.

(You can pick up and return to Darwin or from Adelaide, Alice Springs, Broome or Perth with unlimited kilometres, free additional driver (aged 25+) and the ability to drive on unsealed roads and 4WD tracks you are always free to explore the scenic route).

Adventure Rentals’ fleet are all 2023 models or newer, and provide all our customers with a reliable, modern, safe and well-maintained vehicle. All the vehicles are fully fitted with quality camping equipment to be completely self-contained, including queen size mattress beds for a comfortable, off-ground sleep.