Wet Season Tours - Embracing the Top End's Seasons

The monsoon, tropical summer, wet season, and green season are some of the many names used to refer to the top-end wet season, which runs from October through to April. Kakadu’s Traditional Owners recognise two seasons within these months: Kunumeleng, which is pre-monsoon or storm season & Kudjewk, which is true monsoon.

Venture North Safaris operates Wet Season Tours departing from Darwin. Focusing purely on private tours during the wet season, these can be tailored to individual interests and cater for up to 6 passengers. Expert guides lead Private Tours and explore the highlights of the Top End during this time of the year.

What can you expect during the Wet Season?

Epic Waterfalls

Top End Waterholes and Waterfalls are at their best during the Wet Season. During this season, Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park flaunt some of Australia’s finest in all their glory.

Inviting plunge pools are filled by the rains, which send waterfalls roaring. While the weather is warm and the rains replenishing, these natural swimming holes are brimming and offer the perfect spot to cool down. You'll get many of these spots to yourself as tourist numbers drop over these months. Some favourites are Florence Falls, Buleys Rockhole, Motor Car Falls & Boulder Creek.

Spectacular Scenic Flights

The natural beauty of Kakadu National Park is best witnessed from the air during the Wet Season. The rugged landscape transforms into a lush green blanket.

The park's waterfalls put on a spectacular show that can only be experienced during the Wet Season. A scenic flight over Jim Jim Falls and the neighbouring Twin Falls has to be one of the "must do" Wet Season activities.

From 20-minute Helicopter rides to 1-hour fixed-wing flights, there is something to suit everyone. Venture North Safari is able to include Kakadu Scenic Flights in all Wet Season Itineraries. Click here to find out more;

Biting Barramundi

April, May, October, and November can be some of the best times for fishing in the Top End as the water temperatures are warm and the clarity is ideal.

Barramundi are the iconic fish of Northern Australia and live in fresh and salt water. Skilled anglers target Barramundi in coastal rivers, creeks, inland ponds, and billabongs.

Barramundi fishing is sensational at the end of the wet season and during a time known as "the runoff.” The water starts to recede and runs off the vast wetlands and back into waterways and coastal creeks.

Cobourg Fishing Safaris operate accommodation (fly in/fly out) fishing charters from Cobourg Coastal Camp. Heralded as one of the best fishing destinations in Australia, the remote Cobourg Peninsula is only an hour’s flight from Darwin and operates as a designated fishing camp for the premium fishing months of April/May & September/October/November. Catering for a maximum of just 12 fishos (between 3 boats) at any time, they offer an exclusive fishing experience and the perfect spot to catch that Barra. Contact us to find out more!

Abundant Wildlife

Expect far more wildlife encounters in Kakadu National Park & the Top End during the Wet Season. Seasonal rains and high humidity bring out diverse wildlife as the waterways fill and food sources become plentiful. As tourist crowds decrease through these months, wildlife activity increases.

A sign of changing seasons is Leichhardt’s Grasshopper, which appears in October. Known as Aljurr, the children of Namarrgon (lightning man) call to their creation father to start Gunumeleng, the pre-monsoon storm season (October to December)

During the wet season, the night air hums with a loud frog chorus echoing from the swamps and billabongs. Many species remain dormant during the dry season and only start to appear with the arrival of the wet season as the billabongs and wetlands begin to fill with water.

Creeks and rivers rise, and floodplains become inundated during the Wet Season, marking the beginning of the waterbird breeding season. Kakadu National Park is home to one-third of Australia's bird species, with at least 60 species in the wetlands alone—a bird lovers paradise.

Look out for the spectacular frilled-necked lizard, which hides in the trees through the dry season and appears soon after the first seasonal rains.

A Top End Wet Season experience should be noticed. With vibrant National Parks, fewer crowds, affordable accommodation and opportunities to soak up the local relaxed atmosphere, it is a unique season to embrace.

Venture North focuses on private, accommodated tours from Darwin during the wet season—catering to individuals, couples, and families. Our itineraries range from 3 to 7 days, are tailored to guests' interests, and are led by expert guides. Find out more about our Private Charters here!

Please get in touch if you have any questions or want to know more about our year-round tours!