Kakadu National Park

Australia's largest national park, with tens of thousands of years of Aboriginal rock art, crocodile cruises on the Yellow Water wetlands, and escarpment waterfalls; a dual natural and cultural World Heritage site.

Kakadu National Park lies in Australia's Northern Territory "Top End," about 150–250 km east of the capital Darwin. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometers, it is Australia's largest national park and a World Heritage site for both natural and cultural values, jointly managed by its Aboriginal traditional owners and Parks Australia. The park can be divided into several areas: the northeast, Ubirr and the East Alligator River (Ubirr rock art, crocodile spotting at Cahills Crossing, Guluyambi Aboriginal cruise); the center, Jabiru town and the Bowali Visitor Centre (supplies and lodging); the Nourlangie Rock area (Burrungkuy rock art, Anbangbang Billabong, Nawurlandja Lookout); the Yellow Water wetlands at Cooinda (sunrise and sunset cruises, Warradjan Cultural Centre); and the southern escarpment waterfall area (Jim Jim and Twin Falls need a 4WD; Gunlom, Maguk and Motor Car Falls are swimmable). The climate has a dry season and a wet season. May–Oct is the clear, dry season and the main time to visit, with the roads to Jim Jim and Twin Falls usually opening only after June; Nov–Apr is the hot, humid wet season, when wetlands and waterfalls carry the most water but many dirt roads close, leaving scenic flights and boat cruises as the only options. Sep–Oct, the end of the dry season, is the hottest but has the greatest concentration of waterbirds. Getting there: from Darwin it's about 3 hours' drive along the Arnhem Highway to Jabiru, and the south can be entered from Pine Creek via the Kakadu Highway; there is no public transport, so most people self-drive or join a tour. Suggested stay: 3–4 days: one day in the northeast, one for Nourlangie Rock and Yellow Water, and one to two for the southern waterfalls. Notes: a park pass is required to enter (about A$40 for adults in the dry season, available online); saltwater crocodiles live in waters throughout the park, so swim only where it is clearly permitted; rock art sites are sacred, so do not touch them; fuel stations and mobile coverage are scarce, so bring plenty of drinking water and sun protection. Entering Arnhem Land (Gunbalanya) requires a separate permit.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries