Ubirr
Ancient rock art
An extraordinary cultural treasure of Kakadu National Park, Ubirr harbour some of the world’s most astounding rock art, some dating back 15,000 odd years.
The works, which adorn rocky shelters, include portrayals of the Rainbow Serpent (a creator god in Aboriginal Dreamtime mythology) and exceptional ‘x-ray’ paintings. A very rare depiction of a thylacine (Tasmanian tiger) brings into sharp relief the age of some of these depictions: the now-extinct marsupial hasn’t roamed mainland Australia for over two millennia.
More ‘recent’ artworks include depictions of early European colonisers. If possible, head here in time to watch the setting sun from Nardab Lookout, a 250m walk from the main gallery.
How to get there
Ubirr is 287km east of Darwin.
Car: Take the Arnhem Hwy (B36) towards Jabiru. Just before the town, a sealed, clearly signed side road leads northeast to Ubirr.