Climate

Kakadu and the Kimberley. The information on this page applies to Kakadu and the Kimberley. The climate in the Red Centre and Pilbara is neither as hot nor as humid for most of the year.

Our seasons are different -- no winter or summer here. The wet season (December-April) is a time of waterfalls and wildflowers. The warm rain is a pleasure to walk in, something that must be experienced to be believed. The dry season (April-September) brings clear skies and pleasant temperatures, weather so reliable that few people carry tents. The thunderstorms and sudden greening of the land make the Build Up (September-December) the most dramatic season of all. But.....

30°C. (86°F). There is no month in Kakadu or the Kimberley where a majority of the days do not reach 30°C or more.

Unless you live in a tropical climate, you are going to need time to acclimatise. Most people do this fairly quickly and enjoy our trips. Some people never fully acclimatise and find that our easiest trips are much harder than they expected. Everyone benefits from a bit of acclimatisation. For most people, the older you are, the more time you should allow yourself in the tropics before beginning the walk.

Fortunately, there is no need to exert yourself to the same extent as you would in a colder climate. Packs are lighter. Beautiful swimming pools are plentiful. Why rush? Relax and enjoy it.

If you would like detailed information about the weather in Kakadu and the Top End, try these links from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Graphs. For easy to understand graphs showing average temperatures and rainfall, click "Graphs".

In the Top End of the NT, Jabiru is in the northern part of Kakadu. Katherine is just ourside the southern boundary.

In the Kimberley, Halls Creek is the closest to Purnululu (Bungle Bungles). Kalumburu is the best for the Kimberley Coast. Mount Elizabeth is the most like the areas where we do our other Kimberley trips.

Tables. For detailed tables of climate averages, click "Tables".

Jabiru Airport and Katherine Council are the best for Kakadu. Timber Creek is the best for Gregory National Park.

In the Kimberley, Kimberley Res. Station is the best for the Carr Boyds and Cockburn Ranges, Warmun is the best for Purnululu (Bungle Bungles), Mitchell Plateau is the best for the Mitchell Plateau and Drysdale River National Park, Kalumburu is the best for the Kimberley Coast, Fitzroy Crossing and/or Derby would be the best for the Isdell, Richenda, Charnley and Gibb River Road areas.

Maps. For a picture of recent rainfall so you can see what the current or last wet season is or was like, click "Rainfall Maps" and choose which ever map or maps you would like to see.

For more information about bushwalking in the wet season, click the link below.

The Wet Season

Find out more about rock hopping.

See a description of how we rate the level of difficulty of our trips.

Willis's Walkabouts Top-Level Menu

Climate