Kakadu Access Report

The Kakadu Access Report provides daily updates on the status of key visitor sites throughout Kakadu National Park.

Please visit the NT Government Road Report for more information about the surrounding region.

Latest news

Seasonal closures

Access to Yurmikmik (Motor Car Falls and Boulder Creek) via Gimbat Road is restricted to 4WD high-clearance vehicles only.
Kambolgie is currently closed due to heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
Magela Creek is currently closed. Water levels at Magela Creek may rise rapidly during the wet season, and fast-moving water makes crossing extremely dangerous. Please exercise caution and do not attempt to cross.
Cahills Crossing and viewing platform is currently closed and is impassable. The NT Department of Logistics and Infrastructure (DLI) has closed the road for community and visitor safety.
Closed temporarily: Nanguluwurr Walking track is currently closed due to upgrades on walking track.

Conditions may change rapidly. Please monitor the Road Report NT for the latest updates.

Bowali Visitor Centre Operating Hours

Wet season (November - March): 10 am - 4 pm.

Dry season (April - October): 9 am - 5 pm.

Ubirr Wet Season Operations

From 1 December to 31 March, Ubirr operates as a restricted area to help protect this significant site during the wet season. Independent travellers can access Ubirr from 2 pm to sunset each day.

Please note: Ubirr is currently closed due to road closure at Magela Creek.

For latest advice about Magela Creek and Cahills Crossing, please monitor the Road Report NT.

Bushwalking and managed site access permits 2026

Applications for 2026 bushwalking and managed site access permits opened on 1 December 2025 at 8 am (ACST).

You need to apply for a permit if you want to:

camp at Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge)
bushwalk overnight or off-track (including Jarrangbarnmi).

All applications must be submitted using the Bushwalking and managed site access permit application form.

Notes

The NT Parks Pass is not valid in Kakadu National Park. Please purchase your Kakadu Park Pass online or visit the Bowali Visitor Centre.

There are 2 small shopping hubs at Cooinda and Jabiru. There is no shop or fuel at Mary River Roadhouse. The nearest fuel is available at Pine Creek, Cooinda or Jabiru.

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Map of visitor sites

All open and closed visitor sites

Visitor site	Status	Target opening date (weather permitting) and comments
Main Roads
Arnhem Highway	Open, but beware of risks	Motorisits are advised to exercise caution, as potholes may be present on sections of the road. Please drive to conditions. For current Arnhem Highway conditions, check the official NT Road Report
Kakadu Highway	Open, but beware of risks	Motorists are advised to drive to conditions and exercise caution. For current Kakadu Highway conditions, check the official NT Road Report
Old Jim Jim Road	Closed	Seasonal closure
Burrungkuy (Nourlangie)
Anbangbang Billabong walk	Closed	Seasonal closure
Barrk sandstone walk	Closed	Closed at the request of Traditional Owners
Bubba wetlands walk	Closed	Seasonal closure
Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site	Open	All year access. Gates open at 7 am and close at 7 pm daily. Toilets closed until further notice.
Djarradjin (Muirella Park) Billabong	Closed	Expected to open in dry season. Typically open mid-April to end of November
Djarradjin (Muirella Park) campground	Closed	Water levels rising. Severe weather conditions
Kubara pools walk (Gubara pools walk)	Open	4WD recommended
Mirray (Mirrai) lookout walk	Open	All year access
Nanguluwurr art site walk	Closed	Closed temporarily due to walking track upgrades/repairs and safety for the public as heavy machinery will be in use. Closure between 23 February to 18 March 2026
Nawurlandja lookout walk	Open	All year access. Gates open at 7 am and close at 7 pm daily.
Sandy Billabong (Djirrilba) campground	Closed	Seasonal closure
East Alligator (Erre)
Badbong Wodjmeng sandstone river walk	Closed
Bardedjilidji walk	Closed	Seasonal closure
Cahills Crossing	Closed	Seasonal closure - water levels exceeding 2 metres
Downstream boat ramp	Closed	Seasonal closure
Manngarre rainforest walk	Closed
Merl campground	Closed	Seasonal closure
Oenpelli Road (at Magela Creek)	Closed	Magela Creek is currently closed. Caution: water levels may rise quickly due to increased severe weather conditions
Ubirr rock art site	Closed	Ubirr is closed due to road closure at Magela Creek. Target reopening: April 2026 (weather permitting)
Upstream boat ramp	Closed	Seasonal closure
Jabiru
Bowali Visitor Centre	Open	Open 10 am - 4 pm
Bowali track	Open	All year access
Burdulba campground	Closed	Closed due to water levels rising
Malabanjbanjdju caravan camping	Closed
Malabanjbanjdju tent camping	Closed	Water levels rising. Severe weather conditions
Yilikadjarr walk	Closed
Jim Jim & Twin Falls
Barrk Marlam walk	Closed	Seasonal closure. Target reopening: early July 2026 (weather permitting)
Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge)	Closed	Seasonal closure
Budjmi lookout walk	Closed	Seasonal closure
Jim Jim Falls (Barrkmallam)	Closed	Seasonal closure. Target reopening: June 2026 (weather permitting)
Karnamarr (Garnamarr) campground	Closed	Seasonal closure. Target reopening: early July 2026 (weather permitting)
Twin Falls gorge	Closed	Closed for infrastructure upgrades. Reopening date TBD. Updates will be issued as works progress
Twin Falls plateau (escarpment) walk	Closed	Seasonal closure. Target reopening: early July 2026 (weather permitting)
Mary River
Bukbukluk lookout	Open
Giyamungkurr (Black Jungle Springs)	Closed
Gungurul campground	Open
Gungurul lookout and river walk	Open
Gunlom	Closed	Seasonal closure. Target reopening: Mid-May 2026 (weather permitting)
Guratba/Gimbat day use area	Closed	Seasonal closure
Igoymarrwa (Ikoymarrwa) rock holes	Open	4WD access only to lower Ikoymarrwa waterfall plunge pool
Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge)	Closed	Seasonal closure. Target reopening: June 2026 (weather permitting)
Kambolgie campground	Closed	Closed until further notice due to heavy rain making road inaccessible
Maguk	Closed	Seasonal closure. Target reopening: June 2026 (weather permitting)
Yurmikmik walks	Open, but beware of risks	Access is restricted to 4WD high clearance vehicles only.
South Alligator
Alligator Billabong (Gurdurunguranjdju)	Closed	Seasonal closure. Expected to open in dry season. Typically open late June to end of November
Bucket Billabong (Ngarrababa)	Closed	Seasonal closure. Expected to open in dry season. Typically open late June to end of November
Four Mile Hole Billabong	Closed	Seasonal closure. Expected to open in dry season. Typically open late June to end of November
Kungarre walk	Closed	Seasonal closure
Mamukala wetlands	Closed	Closed until further notice due to rising water levels. Please remain on pathway leading to the birdhide
Red Lily Billabong (Djunda)	Closed	Seasonal closure. Expected to open in dry season. Typically open late June to end of November
South Alligator boat ramp and picnic area	Open
Two Mile Hole Billabong	Closed	Seasonal closure. Expected to open in dry season. Typically open April to November
Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head)	Closed	Closed until further notice due to road inaccessibility
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba)
Home Billabong	Closed	Home Billabong is closed due to rising water levels. Please avoid the area, follow all signage and stay safe. Crocodiles may be present. Exercise caution. Typically open all year
Home Billabong boat ramp	Closed	Temporarily closed due to flood water levels rising. Crocodiles may be present. Exercise caution
Jim Jim Billabong	Closed	Expected to open in dry season. Typically open mid May to end of November
Jim Jim Billabong (Djim Djim Anlabbarl) campground	Closed	Seasonal closure
Jim Jim Billabong boat ramp	Closed	Seasonal closure
Kungardun (Gungardun) walk	Closed	Closed due to water levels rising
Mardukal Billabong	Closed	Mardukal Billabong is closed due to rising water levels. Please avoid the area, follow all signage, and stay safe. Typically open all year
Mardukal Billabong boat ramp	Closed	Temporarily closed due to flood water levels rising
Mardukal Billabong walk	Closed	Seasonal closure
Mardukal campground one (caravans)	Closed	Seasonal closure
Mardukal campground two (tents)	Closed	Temporarily closed due to heavy rain and localised flooding.
Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre	Open	Opening hours (Nov - Mar): 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM daily.
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Billabong	Closed	Closed due to rising water levels. Typically open all year
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boat Cruise	Open	All bookings via Kakadu Tourism or by email to reservations@yellowwater.com.au
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boardwalk	Closed	Currently closed due to rising water levels
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boat ramp	Closed	Currently closed due to rising water levels

Sites open all year

These sites are usually open all year round. They can still be impacted by weather and other events, so please see the list of all open and closed visitor sites for up-to-date status and details:

Park Opening Plan

Throughout the year, Kakadu’s landscapes undergo dramatic seasonal changes. The Park Opening Plan outlines what we do to open visitor sites after the wet season, how we communicate and why we may need to close sites.

Park Opening Plan (PDF, 5 MB)

Steps to opening a site

At the end of the wet season, there are steps to opening a visitor site, ranging from preliminary site assessment to crocodile trapping and surveys.

Some sites also require infrastructure installation before they can be opened to the public.

Please refer to the table below for details of the work involved at each stage.

Step	Status	Description
Site temporarily closed	Closed	Site closed due to events beyond Kakadu's control. For example: flooding, bushfires, roadworks or extreme weather.
Preliminary site assessment	Closed	Inspect the site and plan upcoming works.
Site maintenance works	Closed	Initial cleanup, road repairs, early dry season burning, feral animal and weed control.
Site cleanup	Closed	Cleaning and maintenance of visitor facilities, walking tracks and signage.
Crocodile trapping and surveys	Closed	Crocodile trap installation and monitoring.
Infrastructure installation	Closed	Followed by Park Manager approval and site opening.
Open, but beware of risks	Open*	Possible risks include: road conditions, fire management and ongoing maintenance work.
Site open	Open	Conditions are good. Any site specific advice will be noted.