Mega-junket hits Kakadu as China Southern Airlines touches down

One of the biggest trade delegations in years has visited a Territory National Park. See what’s planned.

The return of direct flights into Darwin from China has opened up visitor opportunities across the Northern Territory, with Kakadu already experiencing a surge of interest.

China Southern Airlines’ first Top End flight on Thursday heralded the start of the Guangzhou-based carrier’s three-times a week Darwin service, which is expected to deliver an additional 52,000 seats annually between the two cities.

Supported by Kakadu Tourism and Tourism NT, a delegation of up to 15 Chinese tourism stakeholders visited Kakadu at the weekend to taste and sample delights from Top End’s most famous national park.

Delegates flown to the Territory by China Southern visit Warradjan Cultural Centre with Kakadu Traditional Owner Dennis Miller.

Trade representatives from GZL International, Zuzuche Guangdong, China Youth Travel Service, Guangzhou Newstar International Travel Service, Trip.com, Aconcept, Guangzhou Kings Tour, Guangzhou Swallow Holiday and Shenzhen CEPT joined the giant junket - known in industry circles as a mega-famil.

Billed as the delegates’ own Crocodile Dundee experience, it’s believed to have been the largest trade group Kakadu has hosted since 2019.

Sam Waldron, Kakadu Tourism’s director of sales and marketing, said the group experienced the dramatic landscape and rich culture of one of Australia’s most significant destinations.

Yellow Waters tour is always popular.

The famil began at Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru, where they dined at the hotel’s Manjmukmuk Restaurant and explored the Ochre Art Gallery, which features paintings and craft created by local artists.

The group then experienced a spectacular scenic tour with Kakadu Air, flying over waterfalls before landing at Cooinda, where they spent the night at Cooinda Lodge.

Delegates also toured Warradjan Cultural Centre interactive museum with traditional owners that highlights 65,000 years of Aboriginal habitation and culture in Kakadu.

Hopefully the future face of Kakadu tourism.

A highlight of the famil was a Yellow Water Cruise where delegates checked-out Kakadu’s abundant wildlife, including a vast array of birds and crocodiles up to five metres.

To round off the trip, crocodile was on the menu at Cooinda Lodge’s Mimi’s Restaurant, where the group experienced the best of Northern Territory produce.

The Kakadu famil concluded with a visit to Nourlangie, one of the best-known locations from Crocodile Dundee, with centuries-old rock art and panoramic views of the escarpment.

Ms Waldron, said while the Kakadu visit was deliberately brief, the group still experienced the dramatic landscape and rich culture of one of Australia’s most significant destinations.

“China Southern Airlines is the sixth new direct service introduced to Darwin in the past year and we believe that with Kakadu’s easy proximity from Darwin and unique attractions, that we can really build our inbound market substantially over the next few years,” she said.

“Next year is the 40th anniversary of Crocodile Dundee, which originally put Kakadu on the international tourism stage back in the 1980s. Today, Kakadu is even more attractive to visit, with greater accessibility to key tourism locations, enhanced accommodation at Cooinda and the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, and a wider range of touring options.”

Originally published as Mega-junket hits Kakadu as China Southern Airlines touches down