Kakadu Tourism has launched a new self-guided tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Crocodile Dundee.
The movie starring Paul Hogan premiered in Sydney on April 30, 1986, and by the end of the year it had become Australia’s most successful and influential film.
Hogan played bushman Mick Dundee who meets and falls in love with journalist Sue Charlton, played by Linda Kozlowski.
Forty years on, visitors can now follow in their footsteps, with Kakadu Tourism developing a self-guided touring program, along with guided tours, showcasing many of the most famous locations: https://kakadutourism.com/posts/in-the-footsteps-of-crocodile-dundee-the-story-behind-kakadu-s-starring-role
- Nourlangie (Burrungkuy) and Anbangbang Billabong are where Mick shows Sue his outback ‘skills’, including supposedly shaving with his hunting knife. The imposing Nourlangie Rock is the site of important Aboriginal rock-art galleries, and the entire area is archaeologically significant, as it is believed that this is where the earliest tropical settlement of Australia occurred.
- Ubirr (pictured above, courtesy Parks Australia), the rock formation in Kakadu National Park where Mick Dundee climbs to the top, points toward the horizon and says “This is my backyard and over there is the Never Never,” while the camera pans across the flood plain. One of the icons of Kakadu, Ubirr’s rock art galleries contain a panoramic sweep of history with drawings ranging from the thylacine to the arrival of Europeans.
- Gunlom Falls is where Mick Dundee spears a fish and cooks bush tucker, and the pair then swim in the cooling waters of the lower pool. One of Kakadu’s premier attractions, Gunlom’s upper pools enjoy panoramic views over Jawoyn stone country from the infinity pool. Recently reopened, a new walkway has enhanced accessibility to the upper pools.
Kakadu also features in the second Crocodile Dundee film. Filming took place in areas around the Bardedjilidji Walk, named after the Aboriginal word for “walking”, with a rocky outcrop the site of the famous bullroarer scene.
Kakadu’s major adventure operator, Kakadu Adventure Tours, enables visitors to experience the icons of the National Park in off-road 4WD tours from May through to October. The tours will focus on Gunlom, but may also feature Maguk Falls, Jim Jim Falls, the Kubara Pools, Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge), and more.
The tours take place in specially designed off-road vehicles that maximise visibility and comfort while withstanding the rugged Kakadu landscape.
Accommodation is available at the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel or Cooinda Lodge, where there is a choice of hotel rooms, air-conditioned Outback Retreat glamping tents with ensuites, luxe Yellow Water Villas and extensive shaded camping grounds.
