Kakadu Air Jabiru - Scenic Tour - 60 Minute

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An hour over Kakadu from Jabiru in a small plane, with a window seat for everyone and the pilot talking you through it. In the wet season the route circles Jim Jim and Twin Falls in full flood; in the dry it follows the East Alligator River and the Magela floodplains.

Days

60 minutes

Age

All ages; under 3s on a parent's lap

Group size

Shared flight in a small plane

Start / finish

Jabiru Airport / Jabiru Airport

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Fixed-wing light aircraft, a window seat for everyone

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Kakadu Air Jabiru - Scenic Tour - 60 Minute

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Included experiences

Jim Jim and Twin Falls — circle the falls in the wet season
Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) — look down on the rock art site
Sandstone escarpment — gorges and old sea cliffs
East Alligator River — look for saltwater crocodiles in the dry season
Magela floodplains — cross the wetlands on the way home

Kakadu Air Jabiru - Scenic Tour - 60 Minute

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Itinerary

Map

CHECK-IN AT JABIRU

Your flight starts at Jabiru Airport, a few kilometres out of Jabiru, a town built in 1982 to house the workers of the nearby uranium mine. You check in at the small terminal, meet your pilot and walk out to a high-wing plane, most often a Gippsland Airvan, built in Australia for bush flying. Every seat is a window seat. Kakadu Air has flown over the park since 1981. The hour takes one of two routes, chosen by the season: the waterfalls in the Wet, the rivers and valleys in the Dry. Around May and November either may be flying.

WET SEASON: THE ESCARPMENT AND NOURLANGIE

In the Wet you track south over Jabiru and the Crocodile Hotel, built in the shape of a crocodile that only makes sense from the air. Savannah woodland, tidal flats and wetlands give way to the Arnhem Land escarpment, whose sandstone edge has stood over the lowlands for more than 140 million years and was once lapped by the sea. You cross Mt Brockman, a massif standing out from the main wall, and look down on Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Rock), where Namarrkon the Lightning Man is painted at the Anbangbang gallery.

WET SEASON: JIM JIM AND TWIN FALLS

Narrow gorges and old sea cliffs rush past, then a smoke-like mist ahead marks Jim Jim Falls, where Jim Jim Creek drops about 200 metres over the edge, and Twin Falls beside it. In the Wet the roads are closed, so this is the only way to see them in flood, and the plane loops them so both sides of the cabin get a view. Home runs over Death Adder Gorge and its hidden waterfalls, the two tiers of Double Falls and the cliff of Namarrkondjahdjam (Lightning Dreaming), home of the Lightning Man, then mangrove mudflats and the Ranger Uranium Mine, closed in 2021.

DRY SEASON: THE EAST ALLIGATOR AND MAGELA

In the Dry you pass the Ranger mine to Dinosaur Valley and run up the Upper East Alligator Valley, with its deep fault lines and lone outliers left by erosion. Then you follow the bends of the East Alligator River, named by the explorer Phillip Parker King, who mistook its crocodiles for alligators, and the border between Kakadu and Arnhem Land. Saltwater crocodiles often lie on the banks. You turn for home over the patchwork of the Magela floodplains, part of the park's protected wetlands, with a last look at Jabiru before landing about an hour after take-off.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Jabiru Airport, Kakadu National Park. Check in 30 minutes before take-off. A pick-up from Jabiru accommodation, 30 minutes before departure, can be added for $20.
Departure time: Flights run during the day; your take-off time is confirmed when you book and can change at short notice.
Duration: About 60 minutes in the air.
Minimum age: No minimum age. Children under 3 sit on a parent's lap with a child seatbelt; children 3 to 12 have their own seat.
Fitness: You need to climb into the plane with little help, as there is no lifting equipment. Tell us about any mobility needs when you book.
Please note: The flight needs at least two passengers. A solo booking is taken on a to-be-confirmed basis and is either confirmed or offered another option closer to the date. Seats take up to 130 kg; heavier passengers can sometimes be seated depending on the aircraft, so you may be asked your weight when booking.

What is included

60 minute scenic flight from Jabiru Airport
A window seat for every passenger
Headsets with live and recorded commentary

Not included

Pick-up from Jabiru accommodation ($20, arranged in advance)
Food and drinks

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.