Corroboree Billabong Wetlands Cruise

The Corroboree Billabong Wetlands Lunch Cruise would be the best value for money experience you could get in the Northern Territory and probably Australia. For $55.00 / person you get a three hour boat cruise on the Billabong with a salad and cold meat lunch provided.

Corroboree Billabong is 104 kilometres (75 minutes) from the centre of Darwin on the Arnhem Highway and is part of the Mary River Wetlands. It is teaming with birdlife and Crocodiles, both salt and fresh water varieties. The guides are also well experienced in the area and can pick out the wildlife even when camouflaged in with the background. Our guide was Ian and he did an exceptionally good job in point out the different species.

Corroboree Billabong
Waterlilies on Corroboree Billabong

Some of the salt water crocodiles were over four metres long and varied in size around the girth. The fresh water crocks were in the fresh water mangroves where they live to stay safe from their salt water cousins who will kill and eat them without hesitation.

Salt water Crocodile sun-baking at Corroboree Billabong

This large Salt Water Crocodile sunbakes on the bank of the billabong probably after a good meal. It is estimated that this maneater is over four metres long.

Bird life was plentiful with White Bellied Sea Eagles, Jabiru, Brolgas, Herons (Four varieties) Ducks, Dotterels, Jacanas and Whistling Kites just to name a few. Photography from the boat was great for the average photographer but was unsuitable for using my large lens because of the boat drift and movement. I still managed to get some great shots of the Jacanas which were the birds that I really wanted. Sadly I dipped out on the sea eagles due to the boat movement.

Tempting Death. This adult male Jabiru in this depth of water is a potential meal for any hungry crocodile.

A Comb Crested Jacana chick searches for insects on the lilly pads at Corroboree Billabong.

A Comb Crested Jacana also called the Jesus Bird because at a distance it appears to be walking on the water. In fact it is walking on lilly pads or other plant life on, or just below the surface of the water. Its feet are larger than its body to allow it to do this.

If you are coming north to Darwin or Kakadu do not miss this cruise. One hour cruises are also available for $30.00 throughout the day but the lunch cruise is the best. You will pay twice the price for a cruise at Yellow Waters in Kakadu and see the same things.