Tour Highlights
- 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
- Category
Start
Jabiru, NT
End
Jabiru, NT
- Birdwatching focus
- high
- Wildlife focus
- moderate
- Photography focus
- moderate | high
- Culture focus
- low
- Walks rating
- easy | moderate
- Number of boat cruises
- Public2Private
- Sleeping options
- n/a
Tour Summary
2026 Kakadu Bird Week Program
23-27 September 2026
Pack your binoculars and head out to Kakadu for some great birding with renowned Australian bird guide Luke Paterson during Kakadu Bird Week 2026 for:
Half day guided birding/photo tours and cruises from Kakadu (departing from Jabiru and Cooinda, Kakadu).
5 Day Complete Kakadu Tour Package from Darwin 5 Day Kakadu Birding & Nature Tour for a full sweep if the regions birdlife (departs and finishes in Darwin).
Private tours (On request. Please book early).
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.
Make Your Birding Count – Do your bit and submit valuable data to BirdData and E-Bird during the week.
The full 2026 Kakadu National Park program can be viewed here:
2026 Kakadu Bird Week Tours and Activities
Guided by NT Bird Specialists
23-27 September 2026
Birdwatching Tours:
Nanguluwur Walk Birding Tour:
Thursday, 24 September, 2026 from 6:00am to 11am
Paterson. Join Luke Paterson from NT Bird Specialists on this expert-guided bird walk looking for endemic Kakadu bird species. Join Luke Paterson* on a guided birdwatching tour around Nanguluwur.
This 3.5km return walk (flat with some rocky steps) has a mix of stone country, woodland and monsoon forest habitat and provides quiet refuge for Arafura and Sandstone Shrike-thrush & other specialities like Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon & Helmeted Friarbird (sandstone race) living amongst fascinating rock art painted over the ages. Morning tea is provided.
South Alligator Region Wetlands Birding Tour:
Friday, 25 September, 2026 from 5:30am to 11am
Join Luke Paterson on a guided birdwatching 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.
East Alligator Region Monsoon Forest Birding Tour:
Saturday, 26 September, 2026 from 5:30am to 11am
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.
Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Region Sandstone Birding Tour:
Sunday, 27 September, 2026 from 6am to 11:30am
Come and explore the birds of central Kakadu stone country and wetlands, 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 amongst Kakadu’s magnificent Aboriginal rock art.
Other wildlife may include: Leichhardt’s Grasshopper & Black Wallaroo (Barrk).
Private Birding Tours & Cruises: Enquire for rates and availability
Book private Kakadu and Darwin birdwatching & bird photography tours and cruises with NT Bird Specialists guides to find your target species.
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: To Be Confirmed
- Sunrise cruise from 6:30-9am – 23 September 2026
- Sunset cruise from 4pm – 6:30pm – 25 September 2026
Join Cooinda Lodge’s boat guide and Luke Paterson on a 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.
Please book with Yellow Water Cruises and make your way to the Cooinda shuttle bus stop from Jabiru township (110km return). Or contact Luke to arrange transfers.
5 Day Full Birding Tour Package from Darwin
5 Day Kakadu Birdwatching, Wildlife and Nature Tour
26 – 30 2026 (Departs from / returns to Darwin).
Join NT Bird Specialists expert guides on a complete Birding, Wildlife & Nature Experience’ in Kakadu during Kakadu Bird Week 2026.
Our 5 day tour provides fantastic chances to view and photograph Kakadu’s incredible birdlife and obscure and iconic wildlife in diverse world heritage habitats.
Rainbow Pitta, Hooded Parrot, Gouldian Finch and diverse waterbirds and stand-outs along with Frill-neck Lizard, Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles, Antilopine and Black Wallaroo. You’ll also explore two Aboriginal rock art sites and cruise Ramsar-listed waterways.
Includes: All-inclusive accommodation, meals, commercial tourism transport and driver, expert guiding, permits, insurance and more.
Excludes: Flights, visas, travel insurance, beverages, personal items.
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 2025. A great way to share your story with others is to Follow Us / Like Us and add your review and photos to our social pages (simply click the link and post away).
YouTube: Subscribe
Regions Visited
- East Alligator (Erre)
- Burrungkuy (Nourlangie)
- South Alligator
- Yellow Water
Tour Route
Tour Gallery
Day by Day Itinerary
Contact Us For Full itineraryWhat to Bring
Binoculars, camera, wide hat, walking shoes/boots, backpack, repellent, sunscreen, 1L drink bottle, long sleeved clothing, personal medications and your Kakadu Park Pass.
Difficulty & Accessibility.
*A moderate level of fitness is required for the hot conditions & you need to carry at least 1 litre of your own water.
Please contact us if you have specific accessible tourism needs before completing your booking. Most activities are easy to moderate rating but may have specific mobility requirements.
Car Hire
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.
Tour Inclusions & Exclusions
Half Day Tours Include:
- *Professional bird guiding with Luke Paterson, transport in commercial tour vehicle (to and from Jabiru activities), morning tea, drinking water, Kakadu bird list, spotting scope.
- *Expertly-guided Birdwatching Cruises with Luke Paterson
- *Pick ups/drop off from Jabiru accommodation and morning tea provided on tours.
- Register for activities here:
5 Day Kakadu Bird Week Full Package Tour – 26-30 September 2026
Includes:
- All accommodation, meals, transport, extensive guiding services, rock art, boat cruise and more.
- *Departs from/returns to Darwin.
- 5-8 guests.
- Book directly with NT Bird Specialists here:
Half Day Tours Exclude:
- *Meals, accommodation, Cruise transfers (enquire to book with Luke), Kakadu Park Pass, transport to and from Kakadu from Darwin (see details for car hire above).
- Register for activities here:
5 Day Kakadu Bird Week Full Package Tour – 26-30 September 2026
Excludes:
- Flights, visas, travel insurance, beverages, personal items.
- Book directly with NT Bird Specialists here:
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