Memories of Crocodile Dundee drive Kakadu reawakening
Gagudju Dreaming, operators of a variety of Kakadu businesses, including the Crocodile Hotel, Cooinda Lodge, Yellow Water Cruises and Spirit of Kakadu Adventure Tours in Australia’s Northern Territory, is relaunching as Kakadu Tourism.
The change of name is designed to make it easier for international and domestic tourists to identify the hotel and tourism products offered by the group, and will complement the change of hotel management (as of April 1) from IHG to Accor at the Crocodile Hotel and Cooinda Lodge.
The hotels were the first major tourism properties developed in Australia by an Indigenous organisation.
The Crocodile Hotel opened in 1988, shortly after the Crocodile Dundee films put the international tourism spotlight on the Kakadu region and its spectacular natural attractions.
"Gagudju is a traditional way of saying Kakadu in some parts of the Top End, but for the industry it was often confusing," said Rex Wild, chair of Kakadu Tourism.
"Kakadu is known around the world as one of the great names in adventure and cultural tourism and in an era of digital and online search, there is an even greater priority to be clear and as straight-forward as possible.
"With the change of hotel management taking place at the end of March, we thought it time to consolidate the various entities under the one name – Kakadu Tourism."
Wild said "Kakadu might have been off the tourism radar for a while", but with a new team on board, it was time to re-introduce operators "to the wonders of Kakadu and welcome back their clients to our hotels and tourism experiences".
Kakadu Tourism comprises the Crocodile Hotel at Jabiru, some 2~½ hours drive south east of Darwin, and Cooinda Lodge, which is located next to the Yellow Water Billabong and is part of a hotel/tourism operation that includes the 48 room Lodge as well as a large camping site.
It also includes Yellow Water Cruises, Yellow Water Fishing, Spirit of Kakadu Adventure Tours, a general store, fuel station and the Warradjan Cultural Centre.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026