Kakadu is one of my favorite places I’ve visited in Australia to date. The NT is simply magic, and Kakadu is no exception. There is so much to experience here: incredible wildlife, stunning landscapes, Aboriginal history and culture – to name a few. It’s one destination you can’t miss on a trip through the Top End. Here’s my guide to visiting Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory!
When is the Best Time to Visit Kakadu?
Dry season, March-September, is the best time to visit Kakadu. The Wet season sees lots of places in Kakadu close – whether that’s because of impassable roads, saltwater crocs in swimming holes, or a combination of both. The Wet season is also unbearably hot and humid, and just uncomfortable for traveling. But the trade-off is that in the Wet season, there’s the opportunity to book a helicopter tour or flight to see the waterfalls here in full force. I think it would be amazing to see, and would love to return to do this someday!
Do You Need a 4WD to Visit Kakadu?
Yes and no. You can see a lot of Kakadu on sealed roads, without a 4WD. Cahill’s Crossing, Ubirr, Nourlangie, and the main townships of Jabiru and Cooinda are all accessible with 2WD. But the best places I went in Kakadu, like Jim Jim Falls and Maguk, required a 4WD. To get to Twin Falls, you need a high-clearance vehicle with a snorkel, for the creek crossing. You’ll be able to experience so much more if you have a 4WD. I recommend renting a high-clearance 4WD for Kakadu if your budget allows and you’re comfortable driving on 4WD tracks.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Kakadu?
I had four days, and did pretty much everything I wanted to see and do. If you don’t have a 4WD, you’ll be able to see the main sights in three days. I spent an entire day at Maguk, just swimming, and could have seen more that day if I hadn’t wanted to relax. If Gunlom had been open, I would have wanted an extra day to explore that area. If I had a high-clearance 4WD with a snorkel, I’d have also added on half a day or another full day to see Twin Falls. If you have a 2WD, three to five days would be good. If you have a big 4WD, give yourself four to six days.
The Best Things to See in Kakadu
There’s so much you can see here – ancient Aboriginal rock art, waterfalls galore, epic hikes, and hopefully some unique wildlife sightings! Here’s my recommendations for what to see in Kakadu.
Cahill’s Crossing
You can’t miss Cahill’s Crossing on a visit to Kakadu. This is the border between Kakadu and Arnhem Land – which you need a separate permit to visit. The river here crosses the road, and it’s always fun to see the vehicles drive across. But the real reason everyone comes here: it’s one of the best places to see crocodiles in Kakadu. You’re pretty much guaranteed to see some here! Although I timed my visit for low tide, when it’s meant to be the best time to spot crocs, there weren’t many visible on the surface. I’ve seen crazy videos of crocs lined all the way up the road, sunbathing and catching fish with their mouths open!
Ubirr Rock Art
This is one of the best sunset spots in Kakadu! As you head up to the viewpoint, you’ll be treated to an unbelievable gallery of Aboriginal rock art. I was totally blown away with the art and drawings here. My favorite was the drawing of the Tasmanian tiger – a species which became extinct in the 1930s. The sunset was spectacular; I felt like I was in the Lion King!
Nourlangie Rock
Nourlangie Rock is one of the main attractions in Kakadu. This is a fantastic spot to see ancient Aboriginal rock art, and can’t be missed on a trip to Kakadu. I couldn’t believe the intricacies of the art here – let alone that it’s survived this long! There’s a great lookout of the rock and the surrounding savanna woodlands at the end. The walk is about 1.5km, and took me about 50 minutes. I stopped for lots of photos!
Nawurlandja Lookout
This is a short hike up to a viewpoint, which is great for catching the sunset. While you don’t really see the sun itself going down, you can see the beautiful skies change cover over Nourlangie Rock and the area. It’s 5-10 minutes’ walk from the car park.
Nanguluwurr Rock Art Site
Nanguluwurr is another fantastic site for seeing Aboriginal art. The trail is 3.4km long, most of it on a flat trail through the savanna. It took me exactly 1 hour. My favorite rock art was the sailing ship!
Kubara Pools
This is one place I didn’t get to visit, mainly as it was difficult to find out where it is! Turning off the sealed road to Nourlangie Rock, follow the unsealed road most of the way to Nanguluwurr. There will be a sign that points towards Kubara. The walk to the pools is 6km return.
Mirrai Lookout, Mount Cahill
Mirrai Lookout is a short walk – perfect if you want to see some of the impressive views over Kakadu, without wanting to to lots of hiking. It took me about 15 minutes to hike up to the lookout, and is about 1km each way.
Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Center
This is one of the best places to see local Aboriginal art and artifacts, and learn about Aboriginal culture, in Kakadu. It’s near Cooinda, and entry is free. They also have a gift shop with authentic arts and crafts.
Yellow Water Billabong
If you have the time, go for a cruise on Yellow Water Billabong. The best times are at sunrise and sunset – you’ll see loads of wildlife, especially crocs. If you’re short on time (or money), you can do a short 10-minute walk along the viewing platform on Home Billabong. You might get lucky and see some wildlife – I swear we saw dingoes in the distance!
Jim Jim Falls
Seeing Jim Jim Falls was one of the best days of my entire trip in the NT. It’s 55km on an unsealed, horrifically corrugated road – the last 10km are on a 4WD track, that requires a high-clearance 4WD. My Nissan X-Trail wasn’t enough – you really need a bigger vehicle! It took me 2 hours to drive 52km, and had to abandon my car at a water crossing and hitch a lift with a nice Aussie lady.
Once we got to the car park, it’s about a 30-minute hike to the gorge, including lots of scrambling over massive boulders. But the gorge is simply magnificent. Swimming here was like a dream. It’s one of the most magical places in Kakadu, and one of the best places to swim in the Top End – don’t miss it.
If you have time, and a high-clearance 4WD with a snorkel, carry on to Twin Falls. There’s a 6km plateau hike – the national park advises 5 hours to complete the hike. I wish I could have gone here!
Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
I spent a perfect day at Maguk, and it was the best way to round off my Kakadu trip. It’s 10km on an unsealed, very corrugated road, which took about half an hour in my X-Trail. From the car park, it’s a short 20-minute hike to the gorge. The waterfall was flowing, and I spent all day swimming here, chilling on the ledges and soaking up the refreshing water. There’s also a trail that leads up to rock pools above the waterfall, but I didn’t go here.
Gunlom
Unfortunately, Gunlom was closed when I visited Kakadu. I would have loved to go here! This is a bit of a hidden gem, as this section of the park doesn’t see very many visitors. I’d have loved to swim here and soak up the serenity!
Motor Car Falls
Another place I missed out, but this was mainly due to the fact that Gunlom was closed and I didn’t want to drive all the way into that section of the park when the main attraction was closed. It’s a 7.5km return hike to the falls.
Planning Your Trip to Kakadu
Unless you are a resident of Northern Territory, you’ll need to purchase a Kakadu parks pass. It costs $40 for a seven-day access period in Dry season. You really need a car to explore Kakadu – and I highly recommend having a 4WD. You’ll just be able to see and experience so much more! There is limited fuel available within the national park, and expect to pay higher prices for it. There are gas stations in Jabiru and Cooinda – there’s also fuel in Pine Creek, if you exit Kakadu back to the Stuart Highway. The closest airport to Kakadu is Darwin airport. I always use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
If you don’t have a vehicle, or are wanting to take a tour, there are a lot of options. You’ll find plenty of day tours from Darwin – if you have no other option to see Kakadu, that’s okay. But I highly recommend a multi-day tour, so you can see and experience more of this magical place. Check out tours below!
Where to Stay in Kakadu
There are no free campsites in Kakadu. All of the national park campsites charge a fee, which varies between $6-15pppn. Be sure to bring cash with you (exact change), as the fees are collected in person. I stayed at the following campsites in Kakadu, all of which I’d recommend:
- Merl Campground – great location close to Ubirr and Cahill’s Crossing, nice showers
- Djarradjin (Muirella Park) – quiet site, a bit off the main road, but with plenty of space and showers
- Gungurul Campground – not much shade, but a convenient stopover for visiting Maguk
The other accommodation options in the national park are split between the two main townships, Jabiru and Cooinda.
- Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel – the largest hotel in Kakadu, built in a unique crocodile shape
- Anbinik Kakadu Lodge – loads of accommodation options, from suites and cabins to budget bungalows and van sites
- Aurora Kakadu Lodge Caravan Park –cabin and lodge accommodation, along with powered/unpowered sites
- Cooinda Lodge – the main accommodation in Cooinda, lots of facilities including two restaurants
I absolutely loved my visit to Kakadu. This is one place in the Top End and Northern Territory that you just can’t miss. Kakadu is magic – full of epic experiences and places you’ll never forget. Give yourself plenty of time to experience it fully. I hope this guide helps if you’re planning a trip to Kakadu!
Have you visited Kakadu yet, or is it still on your bucket list?
You might also like my posts:
The Best Swim Spots in the Top End, Northern Territory
The Best Hikes in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales
Exploring the Gold Coast Hinterland: Springbrook and Lamington National Parks
A Travel Guide for Blackdown Tableland National Park, Queensland
The Best Things to See in the Atherton Tablelands, Australia: Waterfalls, Hikes, and More
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