Posted on 13 November, 2023 in Wet Season
The Wet Season descends on the
Northern Territory’s Top End between November and April. The Traditional Owners
of Kakadu National Park (Bininj/Mungguy) recognise several seasons within these
months. These seasons do not follow traditional months but are based on
thousands of years of local knowledge, observation and land connection. Subtle
shifts mark the change between the seasons in the weather and the seasonal
plants and bush foods that grow.
Gunumeleng – Pre-monsoon storm seasonMid-October to late December. 24°C –
37°CWith hot weather and the humidity
increasing, this marks the pre-monsoon season. Afternoon thunderstorms nourish
the land. Streams run again, fish move to the estuaries to breed, and
waterbirds start to spread out. Traditionally, Aboriginal people moved camp
from the floodplains to the sandstone country, seeking shelter from the coming
monsoon.Gudjewg – Monsoon seasonDecember to March. 24°C – 34°CTropical summer – afternoon
thunderstorms, heavy rain and flooding. The hot temperatures and high humidity
create an abundance of plant and animal life. Magpie geese nest in the
wetlands, and flooding of waterholes and wetlands see goannas and snakes stranded,
which then provide a source of food for local Aboriginal people during this
time.Many locals feel the Wet Season is the
best time to experience the Top End. There are few crowds; the fishing is at
its best, as is mother nature. The laid back Territory Lifestyle is easy to fall into at this time of the year. The land is green and lush, the afternoon storms are welcomed and the nights are
balmy. Here are just a few of the reasons we love a Top End Tropical Summer!Storms – No better show on Earth!Making an appearance most afternoon’s
and seemingly out of nowhere, our Wet Season storms can produce over a thousand
lightning bolts. Once so predictable, they were often known by locals as
“knock off storms” (due to their 4 pm arrival). Locals and visitors
will agree there’s no better show on Earth.Inspiring ancient creation stories and
attracting storm chasers from afar, Darwin has been known as the
lightning capital of Australia. Stories told by ancient rock art at Nourlangie Rock,
Kakadu National Park, show that this area been a hotspot for this phenomenon for
thousands of years.’Namarrkon (pronounced narm-arr-gon)
is an important creation ancestor responsible for the violent lightning storms
that occur every tropical summer. The band running from Namarrkon’s left
ankle to his hands and head and down to his right ankle represents the
lightning he creates. He uses the axes on his head, elbows and feet to split
the dark clouds and make lightning and thunder.Our Wet Season storms are iconic to
the Top End between November and April and bring much-welcomed cool relief to a
humid day. While our rainfalls are high during these months, it doesn’t tend to
rain all day, every day and the falls are more likely in the afternoons or
evenings. This makes our Wet Season months a fantastic time to visit as you can spend
your days out and about before the cooler rain arrives. There are also plenty
of wet weather activities to keep you busy in Darwin itself, like the Aviation Museum and the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT (MAGNT).Sunsets – No filter needed!No two sunsets are alike season! As
the clouds build up on the horizon, the sky phases through its many colours:
yellows, pinks, oranges and violets. There are few places where a town will
stop to take in the setting sun. The slowing down at this time of the day is a
quintessential part of top-end living, and it’s often declared by those
travellers who have ventured far and wide that our sunsets really can’t be
beaten.The Wet Season sunsets are
particularly spectacular with a definite science to back it up! The afternoon
cloud cover is a perfect canvas for the many reds and pinks of the setting sun,
along with our afternoon thunderstorms, which clean up the atmosphere, making
way for a vibrant sunset.Some of our favourite places to see
the sunset are;Mindil Beach. Whether it be taking in
the flavours and the hustle of the iconic Sunset Mindil Beach Markets
(operating between April- October) or relaxing at the Mindil Beach Casino’s
Sandbar, with ocean views and a cocktail to match the sunset, this beachfront
location is a well-known spot for locals and visitors to enjoy this time of the
day.Fannie Bay provides some fantastic
laid-back beachfront bars favoured by locals. The Trailer Boat Club, The Sailing Club and Ski Club all offer the perfect shoreside location to enjoy an
iconic Darwin sunset along with a great meal & cold drink. Open to members
and visitors these iconic clubs are a great family-friendly venue where the
kids can run free on the beach while the adults relax with a cold beverage…
or even a dip in the Club Pool!Located on the eastern side of
Darwin’s Peninsula, East Point Reserve is popular with locals and visitors.
This reserve has many picturesque picnic spots and recreational spaces spanning
over 200 hectares. Not only offering an uninterrupted vantage point for the
sunset, but this area is also rich in military history playing a significant
role on the protection of Australia during the WWII bombings.Join the locals along Nightcliff
Foreshore, where you can run, walk or ride the 7km shared pathway from Rapid
Creek to Nightcliff, connecting playgrounds, exercise stations and open green
spaces. The scenic Nightcliff Jetty is the perfect place to cast a line as the
sun sets over the Arafura Sea. Stay around for dinner and take advantage of the
excellent street food vendors that offer a taste of Darwin’s multicultural
influence.Waterfalls & WetlandsAlthough the Wet Season means the
closure of some tourist sites in our National Parks, and the heavy rains mark a
significant change in the seasonal landscape. Specific locations are at their
absolute best at this time of the year, with activities only operating once our
flood plains and waterways fill. Kakadu National Park, Nitmiluk National Park and Litchfield National Park are open all year round!The scenery becomes lush and green; thundering waterfalls bring that “wow factor” only experienced at this time of the year;
floodplains and billabongs are full and brimming with wildlife.Scenic flights over the famous
waterfalls, Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park are
particularly spectacular in the Wet Season, showcasing the force of mother
nature. An aerial view is a unique way to experience Kakadu National
Park as it thrives at this time of the year.The Yurmikmik Walks in southern Kakadu
are at their best in ‘the wet’, featuring hikes and fantastic swimming
opportunities at Boulder Creek and Motorcar Falls.Other popular areas, such as Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), Nawurlandja Lookout and Yellow Water, are open all
year round.Join a Guluyambi Cruise for a journey
by boat before visiting the well-known Ubirr rock art site. Here you will pass
some of Kakadu’s best rock art before a short climb to the lookout which brings
you to one of Kakadu’s most stunning views – a 360-degree panorama of the Nadab
floodplain which is green and lush, and expansive at this time of the year.When road access to Ubirr is
restricted, you can still experience this area on the Ubirr Combo Cruise. This
tour becomes available in a narrow weather window during February and March
when the Magela Creek becomes flooded, and you can travel via boat through
floodplains and connecting billabongs lined with paperbark forest before
reaching the creek side of Ubirr Rock. This tour can provide an excellent
opportunity to visit this iconic Kakadu site wihtout the crowds, as it can almost guarantee
exclusive access.Litchfield National Park has some
excellent sites open during the wet season. You can check out Tolmer Falls and
Wangi Falls and even swim at Florence Falls, either in the waters above the
falls or in the deep plunge pool at the bottom.WildlifeAlong with the storms and the changing
landscapes this season also brings more plant and animal life. It’s a time of
abundance!There are giant waterlilies, spear
grass that seems to grow overnight, wildflowers in bloom, bush potatoes, and fruits like
wild berries, plums, and red and white apples, which are plentiful in the early
wet season.Kakadu National Park is exceptionally
well known for its birdlife and the Tropical Summer signals the start of
breeding season for many waterbirds. Brolgas, Jabiru, Egrets and the clever
Jacana (Jesus Bird) are commonly seen in the billabongs and waterways. It is
the best time to see helmeted friar birds, banded fruit doves and emerald
doves.Flooding can cause goannas, snakes and
marsupials to seek higher ground in trees and escarpments making wildlife
encounters far more common than in the dry season.Once the storms come through and clean
out all of the creeks and river systems the fish come. The waters recede, and
we experience “The Run Off (roughly March to early May). Nutrients drain
from the flood plains into the ocean and it becomes a prime fishing time,
especially for Barra. Heavy rain can cause sudden road
closures, so it is always a good idea to do a daily check on the Kakadu Access Report via the Kakadu website and the Northern Territory Parks website. These will give you daily updated accessibility to
attractions, waterholes and trails. There is something to do and see in
the Top End all year round. With its ever-changing landscapes, rich cultural history and tropical lifestyle, we are lucky to
experience something unique and diverse at any time of year. While our shared group tours operate May through September, we offer private charters all year
round. Our Wet Season Tours offer a memorable experience that is flexible
around your time frame and interests.If you have any questions about
travelling to the Top End at this time of year, or if you want to know more
about our year-round private tours, please let us know!Â
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