Rock art is everywhere worldwide, and Kakadu boasts some of the most remarkable examples.
One of the reasons why Kakadu is a UNESCO World Heritage site is its exceptional rock art. Some of the rock art dates back 20,000 years, making it among the oldest in the world. Quite often a lot of these rock art paintings were repainted over time, so they never fade.
The rock art could only be painted by certain people who had the right knowledge. For example, certain Aboriginal people who had magic knowledge could do the sorcery paintings.
Ubirr
Ubirr features some of Kakadu’s most incredible Aboriginal rock art. Join a Kakadu tour for historical insights or take a self guided hour long walk to the Arnhem Land lookout. The track is wheelchair accessible and open most of the year.
Ubirr rock art
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Thylacine (Tasmanian tiger)
The Tasmanian tiger rock art is one of the more famous rock art paintings in the area. The Tasmanian tiger became extinct on the mainland about 2000 to 3000 years ago, displaying just how old the art could be.
There are other x-ray styles of rock art of animals throughout the different galleries in Ubirr. Paintings are of fish, wallabies, goanna, yams, and echidnas.
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Rainbow Serpent
The Rainbow Serpent is a creation ancestor who made the waterholes, rock passengers, and is part of the seasonal changes and lifecycle of plants and wildlife in Kakadu. Hearing more about the Rainbow Serpent is best to be heard by the traditional owners of the land on a tour.
Burrungkuy (Nourlangie)
View some of the oldest rock art at Burrungkuy. The best way to see the different rock art here is along the Burrungkuy main gallery and shelter walk. Set aside about two hours for the walk, which is open all year round and is wheelchair accessible.
Burrungkuy rock art
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Namarrkon
Namarrkon, known as lightning man, is a creational ancestor who does the lightning storms in the tropical summer. It’s important to hear the stories about Namarrkon from the traditional owners of the land.
To see the rock art painting of Namarrkon, you can view it from the Kunwarddewarddle lookout along the walk.
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European sailing ships
Along the walk, you’ll come by rock art that represents the European sailing ships from first contact with the Europeans. The paintings show two masted sailing ships with an anchor chain.
To get the best out of Kakadu’s rock art, it’s important to hear the stories from the traditional owners of the land. They maintain a deep connection to the rock art we see and can tell you the stories that have been passed down for generations.
