National park · Australia
Kakadu National Park
Give Kakadu 3–4 nights in the dry season (May–Sep): base at Jabiru for Ubirr and Nourlangie, one night at Cooinda for a dawn Yellow Water cruise, and add Jim Jim and Twin Falls only with a 4WD or a tour; in the wet (Dec–Mar) most falls and 4WD tracks close and the park becomes a boat-and-rock-art trip.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
19,804 km² (7,646 sq mi)7,646 sq mi (19,804 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
May–Aug
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 13
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
- Northern Territory ↗Climbing Uluru has been illegal since 2019; fines apply.
- Northern Territory ↗Many Aboriginal communities and some Arnhem Land roads need a permit arranged in advance.
- Northern Territory ↗Carry several litres of water per person on any walk or drive; distances between services are long.
- Top End ↗Estuarine crocodiles ('salties') live in fresh and salt water across the Top End. Obey warning signs: do not enter the water and stay back from the edge.
- Top End ↗Some NT communities and areas restrict public alcohol; check current rules before buying or drinking in remote towns.
- Top End ↗Fuel and towns can be hundreds of kilometres apart on outback highways. Plan fuel stops and carry extra water.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 19,804 km² (7,646 sq mi)7,646 sq mi (19,804 km²)
- About 19,804 km² — roughly the size of Wales.
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- May–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Kakadu is Australia's second-largest national park, a World Heritage area listed for both nature and culture, 171 km east of Darwin in the Northern Territory. It is really two parks by season: in the dry, the escarpment falls, 4WD tracks and rock art galleries at Ubirr and Nourlangie are open; in the wet, floodplains fill, many roads and falls close, and the wetlands and boat cruises take over. Bininj/Mungguy traditional owners co-manage it with Parks Australia, and several languages of the region are still spoken.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1981Listed for both natural and cultural values; extended in stages to 1992.
- Ramsar wetland · 1980Wetlands of international importance.
Size and age
19,804 km² (7,646 sq mi)7,646 sq mi (19,804 km²) · national park since 1981
About 19,804 km² — roughly the size of Wales.
Why go
- Rock art galleries at Ubirr and Nourlangie, among the densest concentrations of Aboriginal rock art anywhere.
- Yellow Water billabong at dawn: crocodiles, magpie geese and hundreds of waterbirds.
- Escarpment waterfalls — Jim Jim, Twin Falls, Gunlom, Maguk — reachable in the dry season.
- A park run jointly with its traditional owners, with cultural centres at Bowali and Warradjan.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanMonsoon season (Gudjewg, Dec–Mar); check road and site closures.
- FebMonsoon season; check road and site closures.
- MarEnd of the monsoon; check road and site closures.
- AprBanggerreng, the harvest season: clear skies and receding floodwater.
- MayYegge, the cool weather season (May–Jun); water lilies on the wetlands.
- JunYegge into Wurrgeng, the early dry season (Jun–Aug); creeks stop flowing and floodplains dry out.
- JulWurrgeng; magpie geese crowd the shrinking billabongs. Check cruise and lodging availability.
- AugWurrgeng into Gurrung, the hot dry season (Aug–Oct).
- SepGurrung; hot and dry. Check whether falls are still flowing.
- OctGunumeleng, the pre-monsoon (Oct–Dec); streams begin to run and storms build.
- NovGunumeleng; humid, with early rain. Check road conditions.
- DecMonsoon season (Gudjewg) begins; check road and site closures.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saltwater and freshwater crocodilesAll year · Assume any water may hold saltwater crocodiles; swim only where signs allow. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Waterbirds and magpie geese on the floodplainsMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Jabiru, jacana and sea eaglesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wallabies and frilled lizardsAll year · Watch for wildlife on the roads, especially at dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Darwin
Drive east via Arnhem Highway to Jabiru. The road is usually open year-round; check conditions before departure.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Pine Creek / Katherine
The Kakadu Highway runs north toward Jabiru and is usually open year-round; check road conditions before departure.
check
From Darwin by tour
Coach and small-group tours are available from Darwin; check current operators, duration and pickup details.
check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Jabiru and Bowali | Jabiru is a base for park visits; Bowali is the visitor centre. | Check current services and access. |
| East Alligator and Ubirr | Ubirr has rock art galleries and a lookout over the floodplain. | Wet-season access can be limited; check road conditions. |
| Nourlangie | A well-known rock art area with walking routes. | Check current site access. |
| Cooinda and Yellow Water | Yellow Water is a billabong known for waterbirds and crocodiles; cruises operate here. | Check current cruise times and access. |
| Southern escarpment | Includes Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls, Gunlom and Maguk. | Wet-season conditions can close roads and sites; check current access before travelling. |
Sketch map
- 1Bowali Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈-12.675, 132.817Start here for maps, road closures and ranger advice.Map ↗
- 2Jabiru · Town≈-12.670, 132.836Fuel, lodging and supplies; base for Ubirr and Nourlangie.Map ↗
- 3Ubirr · Viewpoint≈-12.409, 132.959Art galleries and a floodplain lookout; best at sunset.Map ↗
- 4Nourlangie Rock · Viewpoint≈-12.862, 132.812Most accessible art site; short loop past the Namarrgon paintings.Map ↗
- 5Cooinda and Yellow Water · Town≈-12.900, 132.520Billabong cruises, Warradjan Cultural Centre and lodging.Map ↗
- 6Jim Jim Falls · Trail≈-13.273, 132.8404WD track then a 900 m rock walk; dry season only.Map ↗
- 7Twin Falls · Trail≈-13.321, 132.781Boat shuttle to the gorge base, then a walk; exposed and hot.Map ↗
- 8Gunlom Falls · Trail≈-13.431, 132.4182WD in the dry season; steep climb above the falls for views.Map ↗
- 9Maguk · Trail≈-13.316, 132.438One of the few falls that keeps flowing without rain.Map ↗
Take the points offline
9 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from Jabiru to the southern falls, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Current fee: check with Parks Australia; the supplied sources do not state a price. |
| Yellow Water cruise | Free | person | Price not stated in the supplied sources; check before booking. |
| Twin Falls boat shuttle | Free | person | Price and operating status not stated in the supplied sources; check. |
| Camping | Free | person | Rates are not stated in the supplied sources; check campground details. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Koolpin Gorge permit or guide
Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls no permit
Park rules
- Water safety
- Crocodiles use rivers and billabongs. Treat water as unsafe unless signs say swimming is allowed.
- Rock art
- Do not touch rock paintings; follow marked paths and barriers.
- Restricted places
- Some sites are sacred or ceremonial and closed to visitors. Respect closures.
- Photography
- Ask before photographing people. Some images and names of deceased people are not used.
- Drones
- Drone rules are not stated in the supplied sources; check with Parks Australia before flying.check
Where to stay
In the park
Jabiru
A base for exploring the park; check current accommodation and services.
In the park
Cooinda
A base near Yellow Water; check current accommodation and booking availability.
In the park
Park campgrounds
Check current campground access, facilities and booking requirements.
Near the park
Darwin
A city base about 3–4 hours’ drive from Jabiru.
Safety
Crocodiles high
Wet-season flooding and closures high
Remote roads medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Bowali Visitor Centre, Warradjan Cultural Centre and the Ubirr and Nourlangie art paths have short, mostly level sections.
- Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls and Gunlom involve rough rock or steep climbs; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Take a cruise or tour run by or with Bininj/Mungguy operators so the park's owners benefit.
- Stay on marked paths at art sites; touching paintings damages them.
- Carry out all rubbish and use the park's fireplaces only.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kakadu National Park?
The supplied sources do not state an entry fee. Check current prices and entry requirements with Parks Australia before you go.
What are the best hikes in Kakadu National Park?
Start with the rock art walks at Ubirr and Nourlangie; Bardedjilidji and Gubara are other options. The supplied sources do not give route distances or walking times, so check current trail information before setting out. Dry-season waterfall walks include Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls, Gunlom and Maguk, subject to access.
When is the best time to visit Kakadu National Park?
May to September is the dry season, when many trails, rock art sites and waterfalls are accessible. In the wet season, roughly December to March, some roads and sites may be inaccessible. Check current conditions before travelling.
Do I need a 4WD in Kakadu?
Some areas may not be accessible by 2WD, particularly in the wet season. Check conditions and vehicle requirements for your planned route with Parks Australia.
Can I swim in Kakadu?
Only swim where signs say it is safe. Crocodiles are present around rivers and billabongs.
How long should I spend in Kakadu?
The supplied guide recommends allowing a week or more to experience the park fully. With less time, focus on one area rather than trying to cover the whole park.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Kakadu National Park
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