Kakadu National Park
Wetlands, Waterfalls and 20,000 Years of Rock Art
Australia's largest national park, three hours east of Darwin and jointly managed with its Bininj/Mungguy traditional owners: the rock-art galleries of Ubirr and Nourlangie (Burrungkuy), the Yellow Water billabong cruise with crocodiles and birds, and the escarpment waterfalls of Jim Jim and Twin Falls. Those falls and many tracks are reachable only by 4WD in the dry season; in the wet (about November to April) roads flood and close, while the falls thunder and scenic flights see them. No scheduled flights: come by road from Darwin.
Highlights
- Ubirr rock art and the sunset lookout
- Yellow Water billabong cruise at dawn
- Nourlangie rock-art gallery
- Jim Jim and Twin Falls (dry season, 4WD)
- Warradjan Cultural Centre
- Scenic flight over the escarpment in the wet
Things to do
- Yellow Water billabong sunrise cruiseMorning · 2h
- Ubirr rock art and sunset over the floodplainEvening · 2h 30m
- Nourlangie rock-art walkMorning · 2h
- Warradjan Cultural CentreAfternoon · 1h 30m
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: May – September
Plan around this
Wet Season: Kakadu Roads and Falls Closed
⚠️ From about November until May or June, floods close Kakadu's unsealed roads: Jim Jim and Twin Falls, Gunlom and many tracks are shut, and even the sealed roads can be cut after heavy rain. Ubirr, Nourlangie and Yellow Water usually stay open, the falls are best seen from a scenic flight, and tours run shorter routes. Check the Parks Australia access report before you drive.
Heads up
Early Dry Season: Some Roads Still Closed
Jim Jim and Twin Falls usually reopen during June or July once the road is graded; check the Parks Australia access report before booking a 4WD trip there.