Can You Fly a Drone in Kakadu?

Kakadu, short for Kakadu National Park, refers to one of the largest nature reserves in the Australian Northern Territory.

From birds to flatback turtles, saltwater crocodiles, and more than 2,000 other wildlife and plant species, you can get lost in the beauty of nature here.

Can you fly your drone in Kakadu National Park?

Kakadu National Park prohibits drone operations, which the park says violates the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act. Drone pilots can receive a permit if they have management clearance. If you can use your drone in Kakadu, you must follow Civil Aviation Safety Authority rules.

If you have questions about drone use in and around Kakadu National Park, don’t worry, as we’ve got the answers.

Keep reading for more information on permits, drone rules if you’re allowed in the park, and the punishment for using a drone illegally here.

Can you fly a drone in Kakadu? #

Kakadu National Park, you’ll recall, is a protected area. It’s also a World Heritage Site, which the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designates to areas or landmarks of note.

According to the Parks Australia[1] website, drone pilots cannot use a UAV in Kakadu.

Here’s the official statement on drone usage:

“For a whole range of reasons remote controlled devices including planes and drones are not permitted in Kakadu. Operating a drone is an offense under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity (EPBC) Act unless done in accordance with the management plan or authorised by a permit.”

The EPBC is an act passed by the Australian Parliament in 2000 that outlines how to safeguard the country’s environment and biodiversity.

The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment oversees the enforcement of EPBC rules as of 2020.

Permits in Kakadu #

You can apply for a recreational or commercial permit for general drone use across the Northern Territory’s reserves and parks, including Kakadu. The recreational permit lasts for 12 months.

Commercial pilots must apply for a commerce and trade permit in addition to a permit allowing them into an Australian park like Kakadu if using their drone for professional photography and/or filming.

The permit forms are available here.

Your application must include your Civil Aviation Safety Authority license number or reference, a description of your drone, and your drone weight class.

If you’re applying for a commercial permit, you also have to include:

• Workers compensation insurance (only if required)
• Public liability insurance worth $20 million AUS or more
• An ASIC company extract with the names of directors within the last six months (only if you’re part of a company)
• Operation details, like where and when you’ll use your drone
• A site plan or map of where you’ll fly
• Your Australian business number (ABN)

If applying for a permit, you’ll know whether you received approval within five business days.

Applying for a permit to use in Kakadu National Park or any other Australian park does not guarantee you’ll receive the permit.

Allowed to use your drone in Kakadu? Follow these rules #

Should you receive a permit to use your drone in Kakadu National Park or another Australian national park, make sure to follow these drone rules.

If you’re asked to stop, discontinue drone use immediately #

Even with a permit, the Parks and Wildlife staff at Kakadu or another national park can always ask you to stop using your drone. If this happens, listen to what the staff says.

Don’t use your drone during emergency operations #

From searches and rescues to police operations, flood emergencies, bushfires, and any other type of accident, if you see one happening at Kakadu, maintain a good distance with your drone.

Receive permission to record others #

A film and photography commercial permit does grant you permission to use your drone camera, but not for capturing images or video of parkgoers or other people. You need to ask for their permission first.

If they say yes, then you can continue photographing or filming. However, if someone says no, you have to wait until they leave that area of the park before you resume filming or photographing.

Keep three miles from airports #

If your flight path puts you in proximity to an airport, be aware that in Australia, you can’t get any closer than three nautical miles or 5.5 kilometers from one.

That also applies to helicopter landing sites and airfields, so plan your route accordingly!

Limit your height over ground level #

In Australia, you cannot operate a drone more than 400 feet or 120 meters over the ground. If you’re a seasoned drone pilot, you should know this rule well by now!

Keep 30 meters from buildings, animals, and other people #

Any buildings, boats, vehicles, animals, or non-consenting people you see as you explore the depths of Kakadu National Park must receive a wide berth. You can’t fly any closer than 30 meters.

Stay within 200 meters of workshops and staff houses #

Should you venture near workshops, offices, and staff houses in an Australian national park, plan to fly no closer than 200 meters when using your drone over or around the buildings.

Do not use your drone in crowded areas #

Picnic areas, campgrounds, waterholes, and other crowded areas prohibit drone pilots from flying closer than 200 meters when people use these sites. If the sites aren’t in use, then you can get closer.

Keep your drone in your line of sight #

Australian drone law requires pilots to always maintain eyes on their drones to prevent the UAV from becoming a hazard to parkgoers and others.

Use your drone during daylight hours #

If you have a lot of filming to do in Kakadu, plan to get to the park early, as you can only use your drone between sunup and sundown.

Avoid creating hazards #

You have a responsibility when operating your drone. You should go out of your way to avoid introducing drone hazards when you share a national park with tourists and residents. ** **

No disturbing wildlife #

The wildlife that calls Kakadu National Park home is protected species. Do not interrupt their daily operations or disturb them in any way.

Always follow CASA rules #

CASA sets the drone regulations in Australia, so you should know the organization’s rules and follow them no matter where your Australian drone adventures take you.

What happens if you fly your drone illegally in Kakadu? #

You know the rules by now. Unless you’re granted a permit, then you should not plan to use your drone in Kakadu National Park.

Wires get crossed sometimes, and mistakes happen, and perhaps that’s the situation you’ve found yourself in. You’re in the park with a drone illegally. What could transpire?

CASA requests that anyone who sees a drone usage violation throughout Australia–not only in its national parks–report it to CASA.

For each offense, you’ll receive a fine of $1,375 AUS. Should you have to appear before the court for your drone crime, you’re looking at more substantial fees of $13,750 AUS.

Can you fly a drone outside of Kakadu? #

Kakadu is a large national park, spanning 19,804 square kilometers or 7,646.4 square miles. If you take a closer look at Kakadu on a map, you’ll see that not many sights surround it except other Australian cities and towns.

To the north, you’d find Gunbalanya, West Arnhem, and Maningrida. To the east, there’s Bulman Weemol and Flying Fox.

By venturing westward, you’d pass through Mount Bundey, Point Stewart, and–if you keep going west–the Adelaide River and Litchfield National Park. That’s another Australian park that prohibits drone pilots without a permit.

South from Kakadu would put you near Gulung Mardrulk, Burrundie, and Pine Creek. Continuing south, you’d drive through Nitmiluk National Park.

If you’re interested in flying in the above places besides the national park, you might be able to. We recommend downloading a drone app to check a map of the broader Kakadu area and then planning your flight from there.

Conclusion #

Kakadu National Park is more than a breathtaking park with cliffsides, gorgeous greenery, waterfalls, and four river systems. It’s also protected land for many species of plants and wildlife.

That’s primarily why drone pilots cannot fly here without a permit. To avoid fines, always have your permit on your person, listen to park staff (which means stopping if they request you do), and follow CASA rules!

References:1. Parks Australia (link)