You will no doubt have heard of our fabulous national park “Kakadu” in the Northern Territory a few hours drive from Darwin. You may or may not have heard of the term “Kaka-don’t”.

For the un-initiated it specifically means that someone is suggesting to you do not to go to Kakadu. In broad terms the “Kakadu – Kakadon’t” argument is a generalist term. Someone else is saying to you “don’t” take the opportunity to explore a piece of Australia that you have not seen yet because in their opinion they did not either enjoy it or think that it was worth it.

We heard the argument on many occasions when we were travelling. “Kaka do – Kaka don’t” or go to either Kakadu or Litchfield but don’t bother going to both. Don’t go here and don’t go there. This argument is very misleading and you may miss some fabulous experiences or scenery if you listen to this advice. Make up you own mind based on you own practicalities of whether you have the time and the money but not on the negative experience of others. Don’t forget they will only say “don’t” if it has been a negative experience.

If we had listened to the argument of do either Litchfield “or” Kakadu we would have missed some fabulous sights and experiences. They are so different there is no comparison. Litchfield to us is waterholes, waterfalls and swimming holes. To others it may be something else. Kakadu on the other hand (to us) is fantastic scenery, aboriginal art and native flora and fauna. If we had listened to the “don’t go there” argument we would have missed this.

If it happens that you don’t like it that’s OK. It was an experience that you had – you can talk about for the rest of your life and say “I won’t go again” but this is not a reason to say to others don’t go. Give the advice “well we did not like it for this reason but you go and make up your own mind”

Even if you do not like the scenery (for example) you may just enjoy the company of the people you meet which will far outweigh any negative experience of the scenery. Go on – get out there and take the plunge to experience what ever it is – then make up your own mind.