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5 breathtaking waterfalls in Kakadu National Park

Credit: Tourism & Events NT/Sam Earp

Melissa Mason Melissa Mason
Visiting the incredible waterfalls in Kakadu National Park is a highlight of the Northern Territory. These are five of the best.

Kakadu National Parks’ waterfalls are the drawcard for many visitors to the Top End. During the wet season, these cascades reach overflow levels, thundering down from colourful rock ledges into deep pools below. By the time the dry season comes around, their flow reduces and access is finally granted thanks to blue skies and the efforts of park rangers to repair damaged access roads after flooding.

Before visiting these natural wonders, it’s important to know how to road trip Kakadu. Some are easily accessible via 2WD-friendly tracks. Others, you’ll need a high clearance 4WD or to join a Kakadu tour. Even with the right vehicle, you’ll need to determine if the walks to the waterfalls are appropriate for your skill level.

Below, find our exhaustive guide to the best waterfalls in Kakadu National Park and everything you need to know before a visit.

1. Maguk

Maguk Falls kakadu
Maguk Falls features a plunge pool at the foot of a steep gorge. (Credit: Tourism NT)

Access: 4WD only, dry season only

Walk difficulty: Moderate

Once one of the lesser-known Kakadu National Park waterfalls, Maguk has gained popularity among travellers since the closure of Gunlom Falls. They have discovered its crystal waters and arresting gorge cliffs.

This is an easy waterfall to access if you’re staying at Cooinda Lodge, as it’s only an hour’s drive south with a 14km 4WD track off the Kakadu highway. Alternatively, set up camp at Maguk campground.

maguk falls
Cool off at Maguk, Kakadu. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/Riana Crehan)

A moderate 2km return walk will get you to the falls, winding through monsoon rainforests and along the sandy creek edge. Birdwatching enthusiasts will enjoy watching out for rainbow pittas, which inhabit the area.

Follow the marked trailer across the bouldered river to reach the main plunge pool, then while away the hours in its deep waters.

2. Jim Jim Falls

Jim Jim Falls, Kakadu
Jim Jim Falls, Kakadu. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/Alec Sills-Trausch)

Access: 4WD only, dry season only

Walk Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

Jim Jim Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Kakadu National Park, often seen in films and television thanks to its towering cliff faces surrounding a deep plunge pool with a sandy shore. But it’s also one of the hardest to access.

A 50km 4WD track leads to the falls and is definitely only accessible with a high-clearance vehicle. Expect deep corrugations, single-lane areas and water crossings depending on the time of year you visit.

From the Jim Jim Falls carpark, follow the Jim Jim Plunge Pool Walk. This moderate to difficult walk is only one kilometre but involves boulder climbing and treacherous paths in sections, so even if you are a skilled hiker, allow three hours.

Swimming is allowed during the dry season and is the perfect way to cool off after a strenuous hike.

Alternatively, you can view Jim Jim Falls via the Viewing Pool walk, a moderately strenuous hike that is 800 metres return and takes around an hour.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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3. Twin Falls Gorge

twin falls northern territory
Discover the majestic beauty of Twin Falls. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/Sam Earp)

Access: 4WD only with snorkel, dry season only

Walk Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

The drive to Jim Jim Falls is the same road to access Twin Falls Gorge, so make a day of it and visit both of these incredible waterfalls in Kakadu National Park. Camping is available at Karnamarr Campground, which is partway along the access road, near the turnoffs for the falls.

Twin Falls Gorge offers two enjoyable options: a walk to the base of the gorge and the Twin Falls plateau walk. At the time of writing, the base walk is closed for an infrastructure upgrade. However, as with all closures in Kakadu National Park, circumstances can change quickly, so be sure to check the Kakadu access report before visiting. When open, the gorge walk is accessible via a shuttle boat, and tickets can be purchased at Bowali Visitor Centre.

For an intensive hike experience, get up early and follow the Twin Falls plateau walk. This six-kilometre return hike is difficult and for experienced hikers only, winding through monsoon forest and ancient sandstone formations.

Alternatively, follow the easy-to-moderate Budjmi lookout walk. At 1km return, it’s a quick 45 minutes and means you can enjoy the afternoon light playing across the sandstone formations of Twin Falls Gorge.

Note: The Twin Falls Gorge will reopen in 2026. Helicopter tours to see the falls can be booked through Kakadu Air.

4. Gunlom Falls

Gunlom pools
Nature’s infinity pool at Gunlom Falls. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/Jewels Lynch)

Access: 2WD (4WD ideal), dry season only

Walk Difficulty: Moderate

Gunlom Falls opens seasonally during the dry season and reopened to the public in 2025 after a six-year closure. Made famous thanks to the film Crocodile Dundee, it is one of the most popular Kakadu National Park waterfalls.

Access is via an unsealed 40km road that can technically accommodate 2WD vehicles. However, it can involve deep corrugations and should be considered with care. Check the Kakadu road access report, and if in doubt, don’t attempt this road with a 2WD.

The Gunlom Falls campground, situated right next to the falls, offers hot showers and flushing toilets, making for an idyllic stay.

You can swim in both the gorge and in the pools at the top of Gunlom Falls.

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5. Motor Car Falls

Motor Car Falls
The picture-perfect Motor Car Falls. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/Daniel Tran)

Access: 2WD, year-round

Walk Difficulty: Moderate

One of the only waterfalls in Kakadu National Park you can access during the wet season, Motor Car Falls is definitely a more off-the-beaten-track option if you’re looking for a Kakadu swimming spot that’s less populated.

The road to the falls is 2WD-friendly although unsealed, and open year-round depending on weather conditions. As with all roads in Kakadu National Park, check the access report before venturing out.

To get to Motor Car Falls, you’ll be in for a day trip walk, so pack a picnic lunch and head out early. The walk is part of the Yurmikmik walks, a series of interconnected walking tracks that start from the Yurmikmik car park.

The Motor Car Falls track follows a historic vehicle trail from 1946 when a tin miner explored Kakadu. The moderate track is a 7.5km return, and you should allow for four hours plus any swimming and leisure time at the falls.

A small waterfall, Motor Car Falls is surrounded by monsoon rainforest and is a beautiful, shady spot for a Kakadu adventure.

Looking for more things to do in Kakadu National Park? Check out the best tours of the area here. The park is full of incredible walks and hikes, so it’s worth reading up on which ones suit your capabilities, too.

Melissa Mason
Melissa Mason is a freelance journalist who loves road tripping and car snacks. Previously holding Editor roles at ELLE, marie claire, Broadsheet and Pedestrian.TV, she now writes travel and lifestyle content for a wealth of Australian titles like SMH, Mamamia and Urban List, as well as copywriting for international brands. Outside of writing, she loves walks with her dog Ted, a great Sunday afternoon with friends, and op shopping. If she could be anywhere right now it would be lounging on a hammock at a tropical resort with a great romantic fantasy book.
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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
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    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.