Kakadu National Park’s Cahills Crossing viewing area reopens

The viewing site at one of Australia’s best known crocodile spotting sites and a major tourist attraction - Kakadu National Park’s Cahills Crossing – reopens today following a $3 million upgrade.

The co-design process between Parks Australia, Traditional Owners and local architects for the renewal of the Cahills Crossing site, ensures the protection of the area’s natural and cultural values.

The upgrade to Cahills Crossing which straddles the East Alligator River, includes a new picnic area and three new viewing platforms linked by a new rainforest walk, providing visitors a safe vantage point to view crocodiles in Kakadu.

The Cahills Crossing site upgrades are part of the Government’s $276 million investment into upgrading infrastructure in the dual World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park.

Kakadu National Park is home to more than 10,000 crocodiles, and Cahills Crossing boasts one of the highest densities of crocodiles anywhere in the park.

The biggest crocodiles at Cahills Crossing are between 4.5 and 5-metres long and can weigh up to 700 kilograms.

The main viewing platform looks directly over Cahills Crossing and gives visitors a spectacular vantage point to safely watch up to 40 crocodiles feeding during the Spring high-tides.

Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek notes “one of my first trips as Minister for the Environment and Water was to Kakadu National Park to listen and learn from Traditional Owners who play a vital role in the management of the Park.

“The construction of the new Cahills Crossing viewing platform, picnic area and walking trail will give visitors to Kakadu National Park an unforgettable wildlife experience while keeping them safe.”

Images courtesy Parks Australia