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Tragic news after camper missing for 12 days

<p>Human remains believed to be that of missing camper Jessica Louise Stephens have been found by Northern Territory Police. </p> <p>The 35-year-old went camping at Kakadu National Park almost two weeks ago, and was reported missing by her mother on October 18. </p> <p>On Saturday afternoon police released a statement saying that they have recovered the remains on Nourlangie Rock, near where Stephens was believed to be travelling. </p> <p>Police also confirmed that the remains were located within the original search area. </p> <p>In an earlier statement, NT police reported that they found Stephen's belongings “a considerable distance from the walking track in harsh terrain”. </p> <p>It was reported that her vehicle was found <span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">in a car park near Nourlangie Rock. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Acting </span><span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;">Senior Sergeant Steven </span><span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, system-ui, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">Langdon said that the search and rescue operation for Stephens, which commenced on the 24th of October, had covered around </span><span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;">140 square kilometres of the national park. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;">Search efforts had been hampered by extreme heat, with temperatures reaching up to 48 degrees Celcius. <br /></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;">Police have reported that they are in contact with Stephens' family and are preparing a report for the Coroner. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;">Image: ABC News/ </span></em><span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, system-ui, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;"><em>Karon Evans/ Getty</em></span></p>

News

How to use drones responsibly in Kakadu

<div class="copy"> <p>Drones have transformed conservation and land management over the past decade, making it easier than ever to collect high-quality data. But like all new technologies, they come with new ethical quandaries – particularly when used on country managed by Indigenous Australians.</p> <p>A group of researchers, Jawoyn Traditional Owners, and Indigenous Rangers, have addressed this with an Indigenous-led project to develop guidelines for responsible drone use in Kakadu National Park.</p> <p>The group first began to develop these guidelines while thinking about ways to monitor the ecology at Kakadu.</p> <p>“While we were there, we were working out ways for how we might monitor indicators of healthy country before and after management actions,” says Dr Jennifer Macdonald, a postdoctoral researcher at Charles Darwin University and the CSIRO, and lead author on a paper describing the protocols <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23299460.2021.1964321" target="_blank">published</a> in the <em>Journal of Responsible Innovation</em>.</p> <p>“We started talking about using drones to see how country was responding before and after cool early season fire management. And through these conversations, we realised that there was a need to make sure that the drones were used in a way that ensured that Traditional Owners had control over when and where [they] were being used and how they could best benefit local people.”</p> <p>While drones (and other technologies like motion sensors and video cameras) can be a useful supplement to Indigenous land management, they can also be used disrespectfully or irresponsibly.</p> <p>“Traditional Owners were really keen to use drones, they could see some great potential particularly for young people to learn skills,” says Macdonald. “There were young people really excited by the thought of using this technology and were keen to see the kind of data that we could collect.</p> <p>“But they were also concerned about some things. There were some concerns raised about where the drones fly and the fact that they might be able to see some restricted sites, especially gendered sites.”</p> <p>The researchers (who represented CDU, the University of Western Australia and CSIRO), have spent several years working with Traditional Owners to manage research done in Kakadu (forming the Indigenous-led Kakadu Indigenous Research Steering Committee).</p> <p>As part of this, the Jawoyn Traditional Owners spent a two-day workshop with the researchers at Jarrangbarnmi in 2019, where they worked out protocols for drone management.</p> <p>“We had a number of informal workshops that were led by Traditional Owners to make sure that everyone was welcome on country, and then we had a number of conversations where we talked through things like drone regulation, how the technology works, and then a workshop where we developed the protocols together,” says Macdonald.</p> <p>The protocols are described in full in the paper, but fall under three aims: (1) empowering Indigenous governance, (2) developing ethical and trusted research relationships, and (3) enabling ongoing Indigenous-led technological innovation.</p> <p>“Traditional Owners should be on country when drones are being used, and they should determine where they fly and what drones look at,” says Macdonald, in summary. “And young people should be able to use the drones to get benefit out of the use of that technology on their country. And in the future, the data that the drones are collecting needs to be cared for and governed by Traditional Owners.”</p> <p>The researchers believe that the guidelines, while Kakadu-specific, could be used as a framework for developing guidelines in other places.</p> <p>“People could see if the rules that we’ve come up with resonate with how they’re hoping to regulate drones as well,” says Macdonald.</p> <p>The project was funded by the Northern Australia Environmental Resources Hub of the Australian Government’s National Environmental Science Program.</p> <em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></div> <div id="contributors"> <p><em>This article was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/ethics/kakadu-jawoyn-drones-ethics-protocols-technology/" target="_blank">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Ellen Phiddian. </em></p> </div>

Technology

Exploring Kakadu: A paradise to see

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The sun is settling across the horizon of the wetlands; thousands of birds are already in place on the calm waters, while many more are making their way across the sky in group formation to where they will rest for the night.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s a warm evening with a light breeze and our bush oven is flavouring our bush tucker dinner that was collected during the day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The sun is setting now which means that our fresh barramundi, wild magpie goose and water buffalo will be ready soon.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Happy and with new friends, we settle in to enjoy the spectacular sunset with a cup of freshly made billy tea with smiles on our faces. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Animal Tracks Safaris are no ordinary tours as we soon find out: it’s the real deal and definitely one of the best tours we have enjoyed anywhere in the world. Owner and tour guide Sean’s passion for Kakadu is complimented by our aboriginal bush guide Patsy who provides us with an insight into traditional living and hunting across this remarkable land. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Our open sided tour bus is comfortable and allows us to all see, hear and smell the bush. It really is a magnificent setting. On our tour is a group of mixed nations aged from 10 years old up to my Mum, Judy, who had recently arrived in Darwin on the Ghan from Adelaide who is in her early 70’s.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meeting our local guide Patsy really feels like an honour. Patsy is shy at first but warmed to us all as we did to her. Learning how to gather bush tucker and about the history of the area from her was an amazing experience. To me I’ve always looked at the bush landscape as just bush but Patsy helped show me that it’s really a remarkable provider of food and resources to sustain life.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The amount of birds on the water and in the skies around us is hard to imagine as are the sunsets. Kakadu is a paradise and should be at the top of everyone’s to do list.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kakadu’s Yellow Water Cruise which operates from near Cooinda Lodge is also a great way to experience the abundance of wildlife amongst stunning waterways.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Our guide gives a really informative commentary and is an expert in naming the wide variety of bird life that we come across. On our morning cruise we were certainly treated to a great show by the local crocodiles which were basking in the sunshine along the banks and swimming with surprising grace past our boat.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It ‘s too hard to describe Kakadu without using all of the usual superlatives, in fact Kakadu probably inspired the creation of many superlatives in the first place. Amazing, magic, inspiring, a must see!</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Written by Lynton Jones. Republished with permission of </span><a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/explore-kakadu-the-paradise-of-the-north.aspx"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wyza.com.au.</span></a></em></p>

Cruising

Top End wonder: The delights of Kakadu

<p>It would take a month to see the Top End in any depth but with some judicious planning, four days can provide a good sampler. If you are on limited time, simply aim for Kakadu, the largest National Park in Australia that was first listed on the World Heritage register in 1981.</p> <p>After entering the park you cross the South Alligator River named in 1818 by Phillip Parker King who thought the local crocs were the same species as North American alligators.</p> <p>His mistake has confused tourists and locals alike ever since. Jabiru, the mining town in Kakadu National Park is 250 km (3 hours) east of Darwin along a good, tarred road.</p> <p>Visitors can pay for park permits ($25 for 14 days for a tourist over 16) while gathering information at the Bowali Visitors Centre near Jabiru.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsAksyknKGi/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BsAksyknKGi/" target="_blank">Nourlangie Rock, Burrunggui, Kakadu National Park —————————————— A happy cheers to the final “swipey swipey” panorama for 2018. Earlier this year Russell visited Kakadu, and being terrified of enormous reptilian man-eating creatures (aka crocs), decided to find the highest possible ground to stay clear of them. It just happened to provide exquisite views of Nourlangie Rock. He was fortuitous enough to witness a rather photogenic storm front - with rainbow to boot - that brought with it some bone-rattling winds that made shooting a tad difficult! To all our followers - have an awesome New Year and stay safe! Look forward to capturing and sharing heaps of new content in 2019! —————————————— #bigasslizard #nourlangie #kakadu #kakadunationalpark #burrunggui #nt #northernterritory #cuinthent #stormfront #rainbow #landscapephotography #wanderlust #wonderfulplaces #roamtheplanet #travelphotography #earthofficial #panorama #panoramic #sunset #sunsetlovers #seeaustralia #exploringaustralia #australia @kakadutourism @seekakadu</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/australianlight/" target="_blank"> Rusty Stew & Bernie Z</a> (@australianlight) on Dec 30, 2018 at 2:58am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>It’s an attractive open-air complex with a café and small museum as well as the super-helpful information counter. We left with an action-packed program for our two days in the park.</p> <p>After checking into the nearby Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru (entering through the jaws our room was near its left hind leg overlooking the internal swimming pool) lunch was a surprisingly good meat pie at nearby Kakadu Bakery.</p> <p>The rock art galleries of Nourlangie and Ubirr, where paintings date back tens of thousands of years, are two of the principal cultural features of Kakadu and Australia.</p> <p>We began at the little-visited Nanguluwur gallery on the Nourlangie massif that reveal a scary mythological figure and “contact art” showing a European two-masted sailing ship.</p> <p>It’s not far to drive between most of the main sites of Kakadu and the roads are excellent. An hour later we were joining others for a sunset walk at Ubirr, guided by Marcus, a local ranger. It was a great chance to understand Kakadu as seen through Aboriginal eyes. We felt honoured when we learned that Marcus is a grandson of Bill Niedjie the elder who gave the land that became Kakadu in 1978. We all sat on top of Ubirr Rock watching the floodplains below glow in the dying day. It had been an enriching first day.</p> <p>Dawn the next day saw us on a small dock near Ubirr to embark on the Guluyambi boat tour that takes tourists to the Arnhemland side of the East Alligator River. Otherwise, without a permit this Aboriginal reserve is inaccessible to tourists. Less than a minute into the cruise we were face to face with a large crocodile sunning himself on the sandy riverbank while people fished at the causeway less than 200 metres away. The croc slept, the people survived, and we cruised on through some beautiful riverside scenery.</p> <p>Later that morning we relocated south to Kakadu Cooinda Lodge, an expansive resort with a casual outdoor dining area. The nearby Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre gives an evocative glimpse into how the park’s residents want their culture viewed and understood.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlK7jtuHlE0/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BlK7jtuHlE0/" target="_blank">Never thought camping could be so fun! Does glamping count? Surely it does... @flash_camp @kakadutourism</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/sarah.goes.places/" target="_blank"> Sarah</a> (@sarah.goes.places) on Jul 13, 2018 at 4:50am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The sheltered caves of Nourlangie do indeed house impressive galleries of rock art. So the sun was low when we clambered up to Nawurlandga lookout on a neighbouring smaller, outcrop to watch the setting sun illuminate the walls of Nourlangie like a searchlight. </p> <p>Our last morning in Kakadu began with a dawn cruise on the iconic Yellow Waters. Three boats of 140 passengers each ensure it’s not an intimate experience but watching the rich wildlife of the wetlands come awake was an affirming final Kakadu experience. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BF8uHodxlh8/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BF8uHodxlh8/" target="_blank">Helicopter flight over some of the most breathtaking scenery! 🚁 || @kakadutourism @ausoutbacknt #kakaduair #seeaustralia #NTaustralia #DoKakadu</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/samearp/" target="_blank"> Sam Earp</a> (@samearp) on May 28, 2016 at 4:10am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>As we drove south out of Kakadu we made a list of all we had missed. The 50km 4WD track to Jim Jim and Twin falls was still closed after the Wet, nor could we access Gunlom, the waterhole featured in Crocodile Dundee. It had been an intriguing 400 km detour into the beating heart of Top End Aboriginal culture but we needed to return.</p> <p><em>Written by David McGonigal. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/top-end-wonder-the-delights-of-kakadu.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a></em></p>

Domestic Travel

5 Australian World Heritage sites everyone should visit

<p>The little island across the Tasman is home to 19 of the world’s World Heritage sites, and some of them have to be seen to be believed.</p> <p><strong>1. Great Barrier Reef, Queensland</strong></p> <p>Aussies are lucky to have the world’s most beautiful reef sitting just off their shores. The Great Barrier Reef stretches for thousands of kilometres and is strung with a necklace of jewel-like islands. It’s a World Heritage site that visitors can literally immerse themselves in with cruising, snorkelling and diving. The reef’s beauty is made even more poignant by the fact that it could be under threat from climate change and external factors like proposed offshore mining. Visit now before this great national icon is irrevocably changed.</p> <p><strong>2. Ningaloo Coast, Western Australia</strong></p> <p>Australia's newest World Heritage site only made the list in 2011. It’s an incredible stretch of coastline along the northwest coast of Western Australia and is regarded for both its onshore and offshore treasures. On shore, intricate rock formations, caves and beautiful beaches make for a stunning natural landscape. In the water, pristine reefs teem with tropical fish as well as the region’s most famous residents – whale sharks. These huge creatures are the largest fish in the world and visitors can hop right in the water to swim beside them.</p> <p><strong>3. Greater Blue Mountains Area, New South Wales</strong></p> <p><strong><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28888/shutterstock_315040316_500x333.jpg" alt="blue mountains (2)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></strong></p> <p>The Blue Mountains are so familiar to Sydneysiders that it’s easy to become blasé about their beauty. As every school kid knows, the name ‘blue’ comes from the smoky haze that comes off the thousands of eucalyptus trees covering the mountains, giving the place a permanently misty mystique. But beauty’s not enough for World Heritage status. The region is remarkable for its ancient fossils and unique plant species, such as the rare Wollemi pine that was rediscovered here when thought to be extinct.</p> <p><strong>4. Australian Convict Sites</strong></p> <p>Rather than one specific site, this classification covers 11 of the country’s best historic convict sites under one umbrella. Stretching from Western Australia to New South Wales, from Tasmania to Norfolk Island, it takes in sites that have played an integral role in shaping the nation. While we were once ashamed of our convict heritage, modern Australians are embracing their past and see a pilgrimage to these sites as a way to connect with their history.</p> <p><strong>5. Kakadu National Park, NT</strong></p> <p><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28887/image__498x245.jpg" alt="kakadu" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>This wetland wonderland truly encapsulates what World Heritage listings are about and is a site of both natural and cultural significance. As a wetland, Kakadu is a lush environment filled with birds, fish, frogs and reptiles (including enormous crocodiles), that changes drastically with the seasons. Culturally, the region has ties to the most ancient parts of Aboriginal culture and has been inhabited for more than 50,000 years. That makes it the home of one of the oldest civilisations on earth and its plentiful rock art sites give a glimpse back to another time.</p> <p>Have you been to any of these World Heritage sites? If so, are there any moments from your visit that stand out? Let us know in the comments section below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/09/6-of-australias-most-spectacular-coastal-drives/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">6 of Australia’s most spectacular coastal drives</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/09/what-to-do-when-visiting-lord-howe-island/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>What to do when visiting Lord Howe Island</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/international/2016/08/10-best-bird-watching-spots-in-australia/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 best bird watching spots in Australia</strong></em></span></a></p>

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