Corroboree Billabong Wetlands Experience
Exploring the Corroboree Billabong wetlands is a once in a lifetime wildlife experience. Encounter Australian wildlife including saltwater crocodiles and exotic birds in their natural habitats.
Corroboree Billabong is part of the Mary River Wetlands and National Park. This ecologically sustainable wetlands are a paradise for rare and exotic birds, fish, crocodiles and other unique wildlife.
A visit to the Northern Territory would not be complete without this extreme wildlife experience.
First light is the perfect time to start your adventure
The fog was thick over the billabong but the birds were already out soaking up the early morning sunshine.
The Darwin branch of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) set up an informal photography shoot on Corroboree Billabong. A flat-bottomed boat was chartered to allow photographers to photograph wildlife safely as we cruised around this wildlife habitat.
Photographers with a mixture of skills and plenty of enthusiasm joined together for a fun day out. It was an opportunity for more experienced to mentor others during the day.
An eerie foggy morning on Corroboree Billabong
It wasn’t long before we had our first bird sightings. This included Jabiru (Black-necked stork), Ibis, Jacana, Egrets, Herons, Kites, Sea Eagles, Australasian Darters, Fly Catchers, Kingfishers and many others.
Jacana darting across the Lily pads
The Saltwater Crocodile
It wasn’t long before we encountered our first saltwater crocodile of the day, however it was our next crocodile sighting that was the most shocking.
A ‘Saltie’ had taken down a pig and had dragged it into the water to eat it. The crocodile was about 3.5 metres long (small in size for this region) but another smaller crocodile waited nearby for left-overs.
Gory but fascinating. The crocodile rolled and thrashed, just like in the movies!
He took several hours to consume the pig. It was only when he crawled slowly up the bank (overly fed I suspect) that the smaller crocodile moved in to feed on the pig remains.
The Jabiru (Black Necked Stork)
The Jabiru (Black necked stork) is my favourite bird. The natural habitat of the Jabiru is in tropical wetland areas and it is thought that Jabiru’s mate for life. A magnificent bird with a wing-span over 6 foot wide, and a beautiful peacock-coloured long neck. The male Jabiru is identifiable by black eyes, and the female by yellow eyes.
Azure Kingfisher
Lotus Waterlilies
Pied Heron
The Australasian Darter
Black Kite
Where to stay
If you are planning to stay in Darwin or Jabiru, accommodation can be booked here. Accommodation is available at nearby Mary River also.
How to get to Corroboree Billabong
From Darwin
- To drive to Corroboree Billabong takes approximately 90 minutes from Darwin
- Travel along the Arnhem Highway to Corroboree Park Tavern – 85km from Darwin
- From here it only takes 20 minutes to reach the Corroboree Billabong.
From Jabiru
- The drive to Corroboree Billabong takes approximately 2 hours from Jabiru
- Travel along the Arnhem Highway to Corroboree Park Tavern – 167km from Jabiru
- From here it only takes 20 minutes to reach the Corroboree Billabong.
Check if your hire car is permitted on unsealed roads, as the road into Corroboree Billabong is unsealed.
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Read more about Northern Territory wildlife habitats
When visiting the Northern Territory, take time to explore the wetlands. You will encounter saltwater crocodiles and an abundance of exotic birds in their natural habitat. Have you visited this amazing billabong yet?
