Kakadu - Whohoo! - Day 1.

We entered Kakadu from Pine Creek an old Gold Mining town of the NT. Our first stop was the Kakadu Parks and Wildlife Rangers office. We were informed of a great insight into Kakadu. next stop was at Cooinda Lodge on the Yellow Waters. We checked in originally for 3 nights planning to do the Yellow Waters Cruise, Ubirr Escarpment and Rock art and perhaps a 4wd experience out to Jim Jim Falls.

Once settled in we booked our Sunrise cruise on Yellow Waters as well as booking into the free Ranger guide at Ubirr Escarpment and Rock Art tour.

Our first outing saw us driving to Ubirr Escarpment. A fair drive to Jabiru then out to the Escarpment.

On arrival we met our Ranger Guide Jim, a beautiful indigenous person who made us all so welcome, telling us that he wanted to share his and his community's country with us. He explained that we were welcome to climb it, walk it, view it all with respect.

Jim first went through how Ubirr (pronounced "You Bee Er") was opened to the public with the local mob wanting to make us all welcome. Jim's father and grandfather were very instrumental in ensuring we could enjoy and experience their culture today. Jim's Grandfather is top right in the interpretive signage below.

The tribes responsible for on going caring for Ubirr included the Bunidj, Manilagarr, Murrwann and the Mandjurlngunj people. They wanted us to feel free to visit the site but more importantly that we respected the site and their culture.

Soon we were engrossed in the site with Jim showing us the Rock Art, interpreting what it meant to his people and why it was so important in educating the young people in their tribes about the stories and culture  they had grown up with.

The main character in their stories was that of the Rainbow Serpent. The Rainbow Serpent is the most powerful ancestors of the Creation Time. The Rainbow Serpent is well known in Northern Australia. The Rainbow Serpent was annoyed by the crying of a young baby. In revenge he ate the baby and then her family and tribe. The Rainbow Serpent was then mortified on the escarpment.

The Serpent's head is mortified here.

The area of Ubirr Escarpment has been used as a classroom by the elders to teach the young aboriginals the stories and culture of their people. Something that was and is to be cherished by all!.

A view over the valley and Ubirr Escarpment.

Some of the Rock Art in the area.

This Rock Art is of the Rainbow Serpent.

Jim explained that much of the Rock Art was a menu.
A menu of the seasons and food aligned to the seasons
that the Aborigine could enjoy!

Hard to see, but the artists had formed a ridge line
here that created a drip line preventing water running
down over their rock artwork. Very innovative. 

A big Turtle!

This interpretive signage explains more of the menu story.

Jim was very animated and genuine in his messages to us all!

We were all in awe with Jim's knowledge and commitment to Ubirr.

Just look at the "grown knees" (wooden Boat talk) in
the site!!

Jim told us the story of the two sisters who were capable
of turning themselves into a crocodile

This was a truly magnificent tour and we would highly recommend it to all travellers to Kakadu. We also thank Jim and his family and his fellow rangers for sharing this sacred place with us.