Experience the serene beauty of Kakadu's most famous billabong. Take a peaceful wildlife-spotting cruise, fish for billabong barramundi or marvel at the spectacular night-time starscape above.
Located at the end of Jim Jim Creek, the Yellow Water Billabong is fed by one of Kakadu's most iconic gorges. This ecosystem is home to a huge range of bird, fish and amphibian species, as well as a host of cruising crocodiles.
Delve into Yellow Water's enchanting beauty on the Yellow Water Cruise. This award-winning tour leaves several times a day, with the most popular trips being the sunrise and sunset cruises. Admire vistas of mangrove trees, water lilies and flooded grasslands lit up by the golden sun. Trips last around 90 to 120 minutes. Book in advance to ensure a seat.
The billabong is home to a wide variety of bird life and water-dwelling creatures. Look out for the five species of kingfisher that swoop to catch fish from the shallows. Ducks and geese are also abundant in this fertile region, as are buffalo grazing in the flood plains.
For an unforgettable experience, take the midnight cruise and see Yellow Water under the stars. Local Aboriginal guides will point out constellations and tell stories about the different meanings that have been passed down from previous generations.
Take a day for a Yellow Water fishing tour. Learn how to tie the best lure for catching Yellow Water barramundi with experienced guides and enjoy the tranquil locale while you wait for a bite. If you catch a big enough fish, you can take it home to cook later. These tours provide all the necessary equipment and operate all year.
Ask Aboriginal guides about their ancestors’ lifestyle amid the billabong's flora and fauna. Take the Kakadu Animal Tracks Safari to learn how to make bush tucker from water lily roots or bush carrots.
The Yellow Water is a 20-minute drive from Cooinda Lodge. Get there via shuttle bus, which is included in the cruise price.
