Your Ultimate Guide To Kakadu National Park

Kakadu National Park sings with nature and 65,000 years of Indigenous culture. Here’s all you need to know about visiting Kakadu.

Kakadu National Park is the jewel of the Northern Territory’s Top End. Its awe-inspiring landscapes and rich living culture attract visitors from across Australia and the world. The region is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, dual-listed for both its outstanding nature and culture. The Traditional Owners of Kakadu National Park are the Bininj in the north and the Mungguy in the south. It’s important to respect the culture, so it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with local culture and customs before you arrive.

It’s also worth noting that to enter Kakadu National Park, visitors must purchase a Parks Pass that can be purchased online or at one of the visitor centres listed on the Parks website. Passes are free for Northern Territory residents. Here’s everything else you need to know about planning a trip to Kakadu National Park.

Where is Kakadu National Park?

Located within a protected area of the Northern Territory, Kakadu National Park can be found 253 kilometres from Darwin. It takes about 2.5 hours to drive between Darwin to Kakadu. The park is located within the Alligator Rivers Region.

incredible sunrise views at Nawurlandja Lookout, Kakadu

Nawurlandja Lookout overlooks Nourlangie Rock and the Arnhem Land escarpment. (Image: Tourism NT/@jack.and.megan)

When is the best time to visit Kakadu National Park?

The best time to visit Kakadu National Park depends on what you want to see, experience and do there.

The countryside changes with the seasons – during the monsoon or wet season (December through to March or April), the wetlands swell with water and millions of Kakadu’s migratory birds, including jabirus and dancing brolgas swoop across the floodplains.

an aerial view of scenic landscapes in Kakadu

Take in the sights of Kakadu’s rugged landscapes. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

The drier months (May to October) are typically considered the best months to visit Kakadu National Park. The heat stays at more comfortable temperatures, and you can swim in plunge pools above waterfalls and explore the park by vehicle and on hiking trails.

Maguk is a spectacular swimming hole fed by a waterfall. (Image: Tourism NT/@helloemilie)

How long should I spend at Kakadu National Park?

Kakadu National Park is just under one-third the size of Tasmania. Some ‘do’ Kakadu in a day trip from Darwin; others spend two weeks here and still don’t see as much as they’d like. We reckon any length of time from three days onwards will help you feel like you’ve ‘done’ the park properly.

a couple at the Animal Tracks Safari in Kakadu

Animal Tracks Safari offers unforgettable experiences in the Kakadu wilderness. (Image: Tourism NT/Helen Orr)

What’s Kakadu National Park’s weather like?

Although the year can be roughly divided into two seasons, the dry (May–October) and the wet (November–April), the six seasons, used by Kakadu’s Indigenous people for millennia, will give you a much better idea of Kakadu’s weather and seasonal changes.

a couple admiring the sunrise over Nawurlandja Lookout

Hike up to the Nawurlandja Lookout before sunrise. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)

Kudjewk: Monsoon season

January to March – 24–34 degrees Celsius

Expect blue skies each morning, late afternoon thunderstorms and high humidity levels when waterfalls thunder, greenery explodes and a third of Kakadu National Park becomes floodplains.

You can still cruise, fly and drive to many of the park’s attractions; special wet seasons cruises operate at this time of year, too.

Hop on a scenic flight over Twin Falls, Kakadu National Park. (Image: Tourism NT)

Bangkerreng: Storm season

April – 23–34 degrees Celsius

There are windy ‘knock-em’-down’ storms that flatten the speargrass in this time. Landscapes remain lush while receding waters – also known as the ‘run-off’ – cause fish to congregate in certain areas, making this a fantastic time of year to join one of Kakadu’s fishing tours.

the wetlands of Kakadu, Yellow Water Cruises

Journey through Kakadu’s wetlands on a Yellow Water Cruise. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

Yekke: Cooler but still humid season

May to mid-June – 21–33 degrees Celsius

Most visitors prefer Kakadu’s weather during Yekke. A lovely time to visit, when storms have finished, and wetlands are carpeted with water lilies (make sure you take a cruise). Cooler breezes bring morning mists and respite from the humidity.

Previously flooded roads open up, offering access to different areas of the park.

an aerial view of Kakadu on a misty morning

Soak up misty mornings in Kakadu. (Image: Tourism NT/Sean Scott)

Wurrkeng: ‘Cold’ season

Mid-June to mid-August – 17–32 degrees Celsius

As waterways and floodplains have dried up, some wet season cruises are unavailable, but more open roads mean more access via car instead. Meanwhile, magpie geese, fat and heavy from weeks of feasting, flock to billabongs, resulting in fantastic birdwatching.

Traverse the roads in Kakadu National Park. (Image: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught)

Kurrung: Hot dry season

Mid-August to mid-October – 23–37 degrees Celsius

Heat returns and clouds start to gather, but humidity keeps its distance. Billabongs remain crowded with Kakadu’s iconic birds (including magpie geese), ensuring great birdwatching; the majority of the Kakadu National Park remains accessible by road.

a Magpie Goose flapping its wings in Kakadu

Get up close encounters with Kakadu’s iconic birds like Magpie Geese. (Image: Tourism Australia/Bamurru Plains)

Kunumeleng: Pre-monsoon season

October to December – 24–37 degrees Celsius

Kunumeleng can last from a few weeks to several months, with dazzling lightning shows that hint at storms to come. Almost all roads are still accessible at this time of year but watch for early rains.

Crocodiles move freely in Kakadu. (Image: Tourism NT/Sean Scott)

Does Kakadu have good accommodation options?

Although the park is sparsely populated, there is still a diverse range of accommodation options that range from luxury lodges to glamping and wild bush camping.

Set up camp on the bushland with Offroad Dreaming. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

Most of Kakadu’s accommodation options are clustered around Jabiru, the only township in the Kakadu National Park. There’s an abundance of campsites located in the heart of the park, as well as some lodges with powered sites, restaurants and amenities onsite.

Read our comprehensive guide on accommodation in Kakadu National Park for all your accommodation needs.

a couple sitting, drinking and reading a book outside their tent in Kakadu

Camping in Kakadu is best to unplug and unwind. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

Should I do one of the Kakadu tours?

With an abundance of cultural sites and walking trails in Kakadu National Park, it’s certainly possible to visit the park independently. However, it’s a great idea to seek out Indigenous-owned businesses and guides, as Aboriginal people hold the stories and culture tied to the landscape and have done so for 65,000 years.

Admire the outstanding rock art at Ubirr. (Image: Tourism NT/Helen Orr)

Whether you’re getting off the beaten track on a 4WD tour with a local or viewing rock art with an Indigenous guide, taking a tour in Kakadu can deeply enrich your knowledge. We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on tours in Kakadu, so you can get a feel for what’s available.

people walking at sunset during Kakadu Cultural Tours

If you want to make the most of your trip to Kakadu, don’t miss out on the unforgettable things to do in Kakadu National Park.

Why was Gunlom Falls closed?

In 2019, construction was undertaken for a realignment of a walking track by Parks Australia. The track was designed to improve access and safety for visitors to the iconic top pools of Gunlom Falls, but in doing so, it exposed a sacred Jawoyn men’s site to the public and damaged the area. The area was closed at the request of the Traditional Owners.

Plans for the walkway’s design deviated from what was approved by the Traditional Owners and were conducted without obtaining an authority certificate under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (NT). The Act is integral for the protection of Aboriginal culture and heritage in the Northern Territory, which prohibits a “person” from carrying out work on or using a “sacred site” without authority. The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) charged the Director of National Parks (DNP) with an offence under the Act, which resulted in the matter going to court.

The sunset reflected in the water of the top pool. (Image: Tourism Australia)

In September 2022, the Full Court of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory rejected the case, ruling at the time that the DNP was immune from liability over sacred site damage. In 2023, the AAPA successfully appealed the decision in the High Court, and the current DNP pleaded guilty. The current DNP, Djungan man Ricky Archer, is the first Indigenous person to hold this position, and while the damage occurred before his tenure, he apologised to the Traditional Owners. In 2024, a unanimous decision by the Full Court of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory resulted in a $200,000 fine for the damage.

This case highlights the importance of acknowledging Aboriginal land rights and serves as a reminder to travellers to be respectful when visiting sacred sites. Matthew Ryan, NLC Chair, said in a powerful statement at last year’s hearing, “AAPA and the Traditional Owners have worked really hard over the last five years to recognise Gunlom as a sacred place. Now we can all look to the future of caring for this incredible place.”

Enjoy refreshing dips and breathtaking views. (Image: Lords Safaris)

When is the best time to visit Gunlom Falls?

The best time to visit Gunlom Falls is in the dry season (May to October) when there are better hiking conditions, minimal flooding, and clear, calm waters. According to Sab, the area has very few mosquitoes and is slightly cooler due to its distance from the coastal region, with temperatures being a couple of degrees lower.

Gunlom Falls is projected to reopen in the dry season. (Image: Tourism Australia)

How to get to Gunlom Falls

Visitors can drive from Darwin, which takes approximately three hours via the Stuart and Arnhem highways. If you prefer not to do a self-drive or would like a more immersive experience, tours like those created by Sab will be a great way to gain insight into the area and its history and cultural significance and hear directly from First Nations people. The nearest accommodation is approximately a two-hour drive away at Cooinda Lodge, so the spacious public campground equipped with hot showers and flushing toilets is a popular choice.

Everything you need to know about Kakadu National Park