The world heritage listed Kakadu National Park is a wild and special place to visit. There are currently two main luxury accommodation options open in this area.
Option 1. Luxury Accommodation inside Kakadu National Park
Firstly, you can stay in the park in comfortable 4 star accommodation, with similar facilities to a more luxury hotel like a swimming pool and quality restaurant and bar.
This is by far the best located and most reasonably priced luxury option for exploring the different regions of Kakadu National Park. This is because you will be closer to the parks bushwalks, rock art sites, cultural tours, wildlife cruises and all of the famous places in the park .
The Mecure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel
This 4 star option in the park is the Mecure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel (opens in booking.com) at the moment this is you best and only option for luxury accommodation in the park. It is located in Jabiru, a small town with a supermarket, service station and bar located within the bounderies of Kakadu National Park.
There may be more luxury accommodation options in the future as part of the Jabiru Masterplan transitioning Jabiru from a mining to tourism town.
If you are looking for comfortable accommodation in the park with nice ammenities Mecure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel is the perfect options.
Click the images below to check current prices on Agoda and see more photos.
If you would like to do a sunrise or sunset tour at Yellow Waters to spot crocodiles and birds a really good budget option is Cooinda Lodge. It has a huge lagoon pool, a relaxed outdoor restaurant and is close to where the Yellow Waters cruises leave from so you can avoid long drives in the dark for the cruise.
Option 2. Extraordinary luxury accommodation outside Kakadu National Park
An extraordinary and special place, Bamurru plains (booking.com link) is a top end destination all by itself. You stay in luxury bungalows in the bush that have views onto the floodplains. Guest numbers are limited to around 20 and you have access to personalised service and tours to see the exclusive billabongs and the wildlife that lives there.
Bamurru is generally well over $1000 a night per person, but this includes your meals (including drinks & alcohol) and incredible experiences like airboat tours, croc spotting and wildlife watching. And when you book Bamurru Plains you are choosing one of the most special and unique luxury stays in Australia. Check out the videos on their website to get a true understanding of the wild experiences offered by the resort.
They also offer a package that includes visiting Kakadu, so you can see the park as well as experience their private experiences.
Note: The 3rd option Wildman Wilderness Lodge, another luxury accommodation provider outside of the park appears to be closed indefinitely after covid, with their website and socials gone quiet.
Accommodation Summary – which one to choose?
So to recap Mecure Crocodile is your highest standard of accommodation staying in the park and a great options to spend more time exploring incredible Kakadu National Park.
If you are more interested in a private propery, personalised luxury experience with a Kakadu day trip then choose Bamurru.
And if you realised you are happy to compromise on accommodation standards to more easily access nature experiences in different Kakadu areas, split your stay to include both Mecure Crocodile and Cooinda Lodge in your itinerary.
For more information on what to see and do in Kakadu, including during the wet season, you can check out my posts on my other blog See Something New.
Not sure if you want to stay in the park?
You do have the option take your pick from the luxury options in Darwin and just do a day tour to Kakadu. Day trips are a good option if you are short on time. They are a big day but include knowledgable guides (who must complete Kakadu specific training) and drivers to enhance your experience.
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