Kakadu National Park

🇦🇺 Australia

🐊 Saltwater Crocodile's Ancient River Realm
🌍 #104 Global · 4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #3 in Oceania #47 in Savanna & Grassland
Australia, Australia 790 spp. recorded

Kakadu National Park sits in the tropical savanna of Australia’s Northern Territory, a mosaic of floodplains, sandstone escarpments and monsoon‑driven wetlands. Saltwater crocodiles linger in river pools, agile wallabies bound across the ridges, and flocks of magpie geese gather on the shallow seasonally‑filled lagoons.

-13.358° S   132.595° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Saltwater Crocodile ★
LC

Saltwater Crocodile

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Crocodylus porosus

70–80% · Very likely
Magpie Goose ★
LC

Magpie Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anseranas semipalmata

50–60% · Likely
Agile Wallaby ★

Agile Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus agilis

50–60% · Likely
Frill-necked Lizard ★
LC

Frill-necked Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chlamydosaurus kingii

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Whistling Kite
LC

Whistling Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliastur sphenurus

70–80% · Very likely
Bar-shouldered Dove
LC

Bar-shouldered Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geopelia humeralis

70–80% · Very likely
Torresian Crow
LC

Torresian Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus orru

60–70% · Likely
Peaceful Dove
LC

Peaceful Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geopelia placida

60–70% · Likely
Rainbow Bee-eater
LC

Rainbow Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops ornatus

60–70% · Likely
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
LC

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cacatua galerita

60–70% · Likely
Little Corella
LC

Little Corella

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cacatua sanguinea

60–70% · Likely
Willie Wagtail
LC

Willie Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Rhipidura leucophrys

50–60% · Likely
Bauxite Rainbow Skink
LC Endemic

Bauxite Rainbow Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Carlia amax

50–60% · Likely
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
LC

White-bellied Cuckooshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracina papuensis

50–60% · Likely
Blue-winged Kookaburra
LC

Blue-winged Kookaburra

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dacelo leachii

50–60% · Likely
intermediate egret

intermediate egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Egretta intermedia

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Agile Wallaby ★

Agile Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus agilis

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Eastern Short-eared Rock-wallaby
LC Endemic

Eastern Short-eared Rock-wallaby

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Petrogale wilkinsi

30–40% · Possible
Black Flying-fox
LC

Black Flying-fox

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pteropus alecto

30–40% · Possible
🐒 No photo available

Pseudochirus dahlii

Mammal

Pseudochirus dahlii

20–30% · Possible
Woodward S Wallaroo

Woodward S Wallaroo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus bernardus

10–20% · With luck
Northern Quoll
EN Endemic

Northern Quoll

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Dasyurus hallucatus

10–20% · With luck
Little Red Flying Fox
LC Endemic

Little Red Flying Fox

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pteropus scapulatus

10–20% · With luck
Common Brushtail
LC Endemic

Common Brushtail

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Trichosurus vulpecula

10–20% · With luck
Wallaroo

Wallaroo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus robustus

10–20% · With luck
🐒 No photo available
NT Endemic

Sandstone Dibbler

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Pseudantechinus bilarni

10–20% · With luck
Northern Brown Bandicoot
LC

Northern Brown Bandicoot

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Isoodon macrourus

5–10% · With luck
Australian False Vampire Bat
VU Endemic

Australian False Vampire Bat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Macroderma gigas

Insufficient data
Antilopine Kangaroo

Antilopine Kangaroo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus antilopinus

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Magpie Goose ★
LC

Magpie Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anseranas semipalmata

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Whistling Kite
LC

Whistling Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliastur sphenurus

70–80% · Very likely
Bar-shouldered Dove
LC

Bar-shouldered Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geopelia humeralis

70–80% · Very likely
Torresian Crow
LC

Torresian Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus orru

60–70% · Likely
Peaceful Dove
LC

Peaceful Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geopelia placida

60–70% · Likely
Rainbow Bee-eater
LC

Rainbow Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops ornatus

60–70% · Likely
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
LC

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cacatua galerita

60–70% · Likely
Little Corella
LC

Little Corella

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cacatua sanguinea

60–70% · Likely
Willie Wagtail
LC

Willie Wagtail

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Rhipidura leucophrys

50–60% · Likely
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
LC

White-bellied Cuckooshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracina papuensis

50–60% · Likely
Blue-winged Kookaburra
LC

Blue-winged Kookaburra

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dacelo leachii

50–60% · Likely
intermediate egret

intermediate egret

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Egretta intermedia

50–60% · Likely
Green Oriole
LC

Green Oriole

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Oriolus flavocinctus

50–60% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Saltwater Crocodile ★
LC

Saltwater Crocodile

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Crocodylus porosus

70–80% · Very likely
Frill-necked Lizard ★
LC

Frill-necked Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chlamydosaurus kingii

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Bauxite Rainbow Skink
LC Endemic

Bauxite Rainbow Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Carlia amax

50–60% · Likely
Argus Monitor
LC

Argus Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus panoptes

20–30% · Possible
Children's Python
LC Endemic

Children's Python

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Antaresia childreni

20–30% · Possible
Mair's Keelback
LC

Mair's Keelback

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Tropidonophis mairii

20–30% · Possible
Common Prickly Gecko
LC Endemic

Common Prickly Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Heteronotia binoei

20–30% · Possible
Mertens's Water Monitor
EN Endemic

Mertens's Water Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus mertensi

20–30% · Possible
Brown Tree Snake
LC

Brown Tree Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Boiga irregularis

20–30% · Possible
Burton's Legless Lizard
LC

Burton's Legless Lizard

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Lialis burtonis

20–30% · Possible
Gilbert's Dragon
LC Endemic

Gilbert's Dragon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lophognathus gilberti

20–30% · Possible
Water Python
LC

Water Python

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Liasis fuscus

20–30% · Possible
Olive Python
LC Endemic

Olive Python

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Liasis olivaceus

20–30% · Possible
Common House Gecko
LC Endemic

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Eastern Cane Toad
LC

Eastern Cane Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Rhinella marina

30–40% · Possible
Ranoidea caerulea

Ranoidea caerulea

Amphibian

Ranoidea caerulea

20–30% · Possible
Watjulum Frog
LC

Watjulum Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Litoria watjulumensis

20–30% · Possible
Australian Rocket Frog
LC

Australian Rocket Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Litoria nasuta

20–30% · Possible
Desert Tree Frog
LC

Desert Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Litoria rubella

10–20% · With luck
Rockhole Frog
LC

Rockhole Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Litoria meiriana

10–20% · With luck
Copland's Rock Frog
LC Endemic

Copland's Rock Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Litoria coplandi

10–20% · With luck
giant frog

giant frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Ranoidea australis

10–20% · With luck
Masked Frog
LC Endemic

Masked Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Litoria personata

10–20% · With luck
Marbled Frog
LC

Marbled Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Limnodynastes convexiusculus

10–20% · With luck
🐸 No photo available
LC Endemic

Woodworker Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Limnodynastes lignarius

10–20% · With luck
Ornate Burrowing Frog
LC Endemic

Ornate Burrowing Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Platyplectrum ornatum

5–10% · With luck

Animal Events

🐦

Dry Season Raptor Activity

MaySep

Controlled fires and dry conditions flush out prey, prompting high concentrations of predatory birds soaring and hunting across the savannas.

Whistling Kite
LC

Whistling Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliastur sphenurus

70–80% · Very likely
🐦

Wetland Migration and Feeding

SepOctNov

As the dry season progresses, receding water levels concentrate incredible numbers of waterbirds and aquatic life into shrinking billabongs, creating premier viewing spectacles.

Magpie Goose
LC

Magpie Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Anseranas semipalmata

50–60% · Likely
Pied Heron
LC

Pied Heron

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Egretta picata

40–50% · Likely
🐸

Wet Season Amphibian Emergence

JanFeb

Monsoonal rains transform the parched landscape, triggering massive breeding choruses and high activity among frogs and reptiles across the wetlands.

Eastern Cane Toad
LC

Eastern Cane Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Rhinella marina

30–40% · Possible
Ranoidea caerulea

Ranoidea caerulea

Amphibian

Ranoidea caerulea

20–30% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Saltwater Crocodile
40–50
40–50
80–90
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
80–90
60–70
Magpie Goose
30–40
60–70
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
Agile Wallaby
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
Frill-necked Lizard
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
10–20
<5
10–20
20–30
20–30
50–60
60–70
Whistling Kite
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
Bar-shouldered Dove
80–90
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
Torresian Crow
50–60
70–80
90–100
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
Peaceful Dove
60–70
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Rainbow Bee-eater
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
Little Corella
70–80
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
Willie Wagtail
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
Bauxite Rainbow Skink
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
70–80
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
Blue-winged Kookaburra
60–70
50–60
80–90
30–40
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
intermediate egret
30–40
50–60
30–40
30–40
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
40–50
20–30
Animal Events
🐦 Wetland Migration and Feeding
🐦 Dry Season Raptor Activity
🐸 Wet Season Amphibian Emergence

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐊 Saltwater Crocodile's Ancient River Realm

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
409
🐒 Mammals
128
🦎 Reptiles
221
🐸 Amphibians
32
790 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
48 Threatened 300 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
65%
📊
Coverage (209 species at ≥5% of 790 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
26%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (10 bird, 2 reptile)
46% Global avg
37%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
119
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
20
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
37

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Kakadu National Park?

The most likely sightings are Whistling Kite (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Saltwater Crocodile (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Bar-shouldered Dove (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Torresian Crow (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Peaceful Dove (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 790 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Kakadu National Park for wildlife?

June has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Saltwater Crocodile in Kakadu National Park?

Yes — about 78% of wildlife watchers report a Saltwater Crocodile sighting in Kakadu National Park, based on 291 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Magpie Goose in Kakadu National Park?

Yes — about 52% of wildlife watchers report a Magpie Goose sighting in Kakadu National Park, based on 703 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Agile Wallaby in Kakadu National Park?

Yes — about 55% of wildlife watchers report a Agile Wallaby sighting in Kakadu National Park, based on 115 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Frill-necked Lizard in Kakadu National Park?

Yes — about 33% of wildlife watchers report a Frill-necked Lizard sighting in Kakadu National Park, based on 44 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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