Keeping an Eye On Australia's Kakadu National Park.

LOS ANGELES -- Web surfers worldwide will be able to keep an eye on Australia's nature and wildlife 24 hours a day with the launch of the first-ever webcam installed in the country's World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park.

The Kakadu Cam (www.ngm.com/kakaducam.com) uses cutting edge webcam technology to deliver live images and audio of native wildlife in one of the world's oldest and most intriguing landscapes - putting these wonderful wildlife experiences within reach of people across the globe.

By day, visitors will be able to see a parade of wildlife including kangaroos, crocodiles, birds, butterflies, wallabies, snakes and possums. At night, visitors to Kakadu Cam will be able to hear the authentic sounds of Australian animals as they hunt, feed and play.

Tourism Australia Chairman Tim Fischer said Kakadu Cam had been developed by Tourism Australia, National Geographic, Tourism Northern Territory (Tourism NT), Kakadu National Park and the traditional Aboriginal owners of Kakadu as part of Tourism Australia's three-year Global Programs initiative.

"Kakadu is rich in traditional history and wildlife and contains indigenous rock art dating back thousands of years and for the first time in history, the webcam if offering a fascinating glimpse of one of the world's most intriguing places," Mr. Fischer said.

The development of Kakadu Cam has been an intense operation with Tourism Australia, National Geographic and Tourism NT working closely with those who manage Kakadu and the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land to deliver this new initiative.

"Everyone involved in Kakadu Cam has been determined that the project would not cause any disruption or damage to the animals or landscape at Kakadu," Mr. Fischer said.

The latest webcam and satellite technology has been used for this project. The webcam is contained in a cage to protect it from predators and has been positioned in an area of the Park where it is unobtrusive and has minimal environmental impact.

The webcam operates in real time and eventually Kakadu Cam will give visitors a chance to talk to the rangers who work in the Park and to hear traditional stories from the Aboriginal elders whose ancestors have roamed Kakadu for more than 50,000 years.

"Kakadu is an obvious first choice because of its uniqueness and wide appeal to people of all ages, throughout the world. We are planning additional webcams in Australia that will build on the Kakadu Cam experience," says Chris Johns, Editor in Chief, National Geographic magazine. "Furthermore Kakadu Cam is the first in a series of fascinating webcams that will be developed in Australia.

"Kakadu Cam shows people there are still places in the world that are unaffected by 21st century living. It offers a tantalizing glimpse of a way of life that has been continuing since time began. We hope it will also encourage people to switch off their computer, get on a plane and experience the real Kakadu."

Kakadu Cam officially launched this week at the National Geographic magazine 'Experience Your World' photo exhibit and celebration of the world's parks at Grand Central Station, New York from 22-28 September. Giant screens will beam images live from Kakadu National Park to thousands of commuters and travelers.

For more information on Australia or Kakadu, including its spirit culture, artistic traditions and visitor advice, visit www.australia.com

For media information contact: Kristen Malaby at [e-mail] or 310 695 3214.