Crocodile Dundee is 40

Landmark Aussie movie Crocodile Dundee premiered in Sydney on April 30, 1986.

There was Mick Dundee shaving with his massive hunting knife. There he was holding up his hat to shade his eyes from the sun while he told the time (by looking at the watch pinned inside it).

This was Paul Hogan starring as Crocodile Dundee at his larrikin best.

Alongside was co-star Linda Kozlowski as the American journalist Sue Charlton, who has come to the Northern Territory’s Kakadu region in search of outback bushman Mick Dundee.

And David Gulpilil as Neville Bell. Who can forget the moment when, asked to pose for a picture, he replies : “Oh no. You can’t take my photograph.” When asked if he’s worried about his spirit, he replies: “No — you got a lens cap on.”

But without doubt the other star was Kakadu itself.

And for the 40th anniversary, Kakadu Tourism has developed a self-guided touring program, along with guided tours, showcasing many of the most famous locations:

+ Nourlangie (Burrungkuy) and Anbangbang Billabong are where Mick Dundee shows Sue his outback “skills”, including his supposed shaving with that hunting knife. Nourlangie Rock has important Aboriginal rock-art galleries, and the area is archaeologically significant. It is believed that this is the site of the earliest tropical settlement of Australia.

+ Ubirr rock formation in Kakadu National Park is where Mick Dundee climbs to the top, points toward the horizon, and says: “This is my backyard and over there is the Never Never,” as the camera pans across the flood plain. Ubirr is an icon of Kakadu, its rock art galleries containing drawings ranging from the thylacine to the arrival of Europeans.

+ Gunlom Falls is where Mick Dundee spears a fish and cooks bush tucker. And this is where he swims with Sue in the cool waters of the lower pool. One of Kakadu’s premier attractions, Gunlom’s upper pools overlook Jawoyn stone country. Recently reopened, a new walkway has improved accessibility to the upper pools.

+ The “Kakadu Crocodile Dundee Self Guided Discovery Tour” details are at kakadutoruism.com

+ The Google map of the Crocodile Dundee main sites is at: maps.app.goo.gl/cToET4WpKxNHV7ER8

TOUR

Kakadu’s major adventure operator, Kakadu Adventure Tours, takes visitors to the icons of the national park in off-road tours from May to October. They focus on Gunlom, but may also feature Maguk Falls, Jim Jim Falls, the Kubara Pools, Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge), and more. The vehicles are specially designed to for good viewing.

STAY

Accommodation is available at the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel or Cooinda Lodge. There’s a choice of hotel rooms, air-conditioned glamping tents with ensuites, comfortable villas and shaded camping grounds.

+ Kakadu Adventure Tours and Yellow Water Cruises operate out of Cooinda, which is open all year round. There are restaurants, swimming pools, a service station and a shop.

+ A complete guide to visiting Kakadu, including accommodation, cruises and tours, and a range of itineraries, is at kakadutourism.com