Posted on 06 November, 2023 in
Traditional owners and managers of Kakadu National Park are responsible and obligated to care for country and guide and look after visitors. To support these strong spiritual connections, anyone working as a tour guide in Kakadu National Park must complete a special entry-level training course.
‘The park is one big living space
… the stone country is where everything comes from and is connected to the
floodplains. It is important for the bush tucker, breeding, but everything is
equally important as Kakadu is a living space.’
Jeffrey Lee, Djok clan
As noted in the Kakadu National Park Management Plan 2016-2026, the guiding
principles for Kakadu National Park are;
- Culture, country, sacred places and customary law are one, extend
beyond the boundaries of Kakadu, and need to be protected and respected. - Bininj/Mungguy and Balanda keep joint management strong by working
together, communicating effectively and sharing decision-making - Consultation with Bininj/Mungguy is conducted appropriately and with
the right people for that country - Everyone who lives and works in the Park learns from, understands
and respects each other. - Young Bininj/Mungguy have opportunities to learn about their
culture and country. - Bininj/Mungguy and park management maintain and respect each
other’s obligations and work together to look after the natural and
cultural values of the Park. - The progress and development of tourism are undertaken in
accordance with the wishes of Bininj/Mungguy, and strong partnerships are
maintained with the tourism industry - Visitors are provided with opportunities for safe, enriching and
memorable experiences.
The VTP230 Kakadu Knowledge for Tour Guides is an entry-level course offered through Charles
Darwin University. The course provides tour guides with essential information
about Kakadu. The training and assessment cover critical areas of visitor
safety, understanding the Park’s natural, cultural, and historical, minimising environmental impact and legal compliance. If you are an experienced tour guide wanting to expand your boundaries, or brand new to the industry, this course is a must and will give you the knowledge and cultural insight to guide through this living landscape.
Tourism NT is currently providing grant funding to
assist with building a capable tour guide workforce in the Northern Territory.
Up to $5,000 is available per business for NT-based tour operators who conduct
tours in Kakadu National Park. In addition, an Express Tour Guide Ready Program is designed to
streamline training for entrants and offers flexibility. Tour guides will have
a maximum of 4 months to complete all approved training components from the
approval date, with all training completed by 31 May 2023.
“Our Team makes us Great.”
Our team of tour guides at
Venture North are all highly trained, knowledgeable, attentive and professional
individuals who are committed to providing the highest possible standard of
customer service. All of our Tour Guides have completed the “Kakadu Knowledge
for Tour Guides” course. We regard our tour guides as the backbone of the company.
Their knowledge of the local culture and environment, attention to safety, and
ability to ensure everyone in the group has a unique experience has been
paramount to our continued success.