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.
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 full access report for up-to-date status and details:
- Burrungkuy (Nourlangie)
- Mirray (Mirrai) walk
- Nanguluwurr art site
- Nawurlandja lookout
- Bowali track
- Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) cruise
- Kubara pools walk
- Yurmikmik walks.
For the most up-to-date information, contact the Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 8938 1120 during operating hours.
The Access Report was last updated on 4 Nov 2025, 8:38 am (Darwin local time).
Latest news
Seasonal closures
Jim Jim Falls and Karnamarr Campground closed for the season on Sunday 2 November, due to continuing extreme heat conditions and forecast thunderstorms.
Permits
Overnight/off track bushwalking permits are limited each year, with various locations subject to monthly capacity. There are currently no permits available for the 2025 season.
Please contact the permits team on kakadu.permits@dcceew.gov.au to be added to the waitlist in the event of a cancellation, email enquiries and permit applications submissions are actioned on a first come first served basis.
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.
Open
Open, but beware of risks
Closed
| Visitor site | Status | Target opening date (weather permitting) and comments |
|---|---|---|
| Main Roads | ||
| Arnhem Highway | Open | Drive with care |
| Kakadu Highway | Open | |
| Old Jim Jim Road | Open | High clearance 4WD vehicles only |
| Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) | ||
| Anbangbang Billabong walk | Open | |
| Barrk sandstone walk | Closed | Closed at the request of Traditional Owners |
| Bubba wetlands walk | Open | |
| Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site | Open | All year access. Gates open at 7 am and close at 7 pm daily |
| Djarradjin (Muirella Park) campground | Open | |
| Kubara pools walk (Gubara pools walk) | Open | 4WD recommended |
| Mirray (Mirrai) lookout walk | Open | All year access |
| Nanguluwurr art site walk | Open | All year access. 4WD recommended |
| Nawurlandja lookout walk | Open | All year access. Gates open at 7 am and close at 7 pm daily |
| Sandy Billabong (Djirrilba) campground | Open | 4WD access only. |
| East Alligator (Erre) | ||
| Badbong Wodjmeng sandstone river walk | Closed | |
| Bardedjilidji walk | Open | |
| Cahills Crossing | Open, but beware of risks | Please be aware of croc risks and take precautions |
| Downstream boat ramp | Open | |
| Manngarre rainforest walk | Closed | |
| Merl campground | Open | |
| Oenpelli Road (at Magela Creek) | Open | |
| Ubirr rock art site | Open | |
| Upstream boat ramp | Open | |
| Jabiru | ||
| Bowali Visitor Centre | Open | Open 8 am to 5 pm daily |
| Bowali track | Open | All year access |
| Burdulba campground | Closed | Closed from Saturday 25 October to Saturday 8 November 2025 |
| Malabanjbanjdju caravan camping | Open | |
| Malabanjbanjdju tent camping | Open | |
| Yilikadjarr walk | Open | |
| Jim Jim & Twin Falls | ||
| Barrk Marlam walk | Closed | Seasonal closure from 1 October 2025 |
| Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge) | Open | 4WD vehicle access ONLY |
| Budjmi lookout walk | Closed | Seasonal closure |
| Jim Jim Falls (Barrkmallam) | Closed | Seasonal closure from 6 pm on 2 November 2025 |
| Karnamarr (Garnamarr) campground | Closed | Seasonal closure from 6 pm on 2 November 2025 |
| Twin Falls gorge | Closed | Closed in 2025 due to infrastructure upgrades. Reopening in dry season 2026 |
| Twin Falls plateau (escarpment) walk | Closed | Seasonal closure from 1 October 2025 |
| Mary River | ||
| Bukbukluk lookout | Open | |
| Giyamungkurr (Black Jungle Springs) | Closed | |
| Gungurul campground | Open | |
| Gungurul lookout and river walk | Open | |
| Gunlom | Closed | Seasonal closure from 3 pm Sunday 19 October. |
| Guratba/Gimbat day use area | Open | |
| Igoymarrwa (Ikoymarrwa) rock holes | Open | 4WD access only to lower Ikoymarrwa waterfall plunge pool |
| Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) | Open | Permit Required |
| Kambolgie campground | Open | Camping fees apply |
| Maguk | Open | |
| Yurmikmik walks | Open | Motor Car Falls and Boulder Creek are open. On-site signage will let you know to park at Motor Car carpark or Boulder Creek carpark during upgrades |
| South Alligator | ||
| Alligator Billabong (Gurdurunguranjdju) | Open | High clearance 4WD access only |
| Bucket Billabong (Ngarrababa) | Open | High clearance 4WD access only |
| Four Mile Hole Billabong | Open | 4WD vehicles only |
| Kungarre walk | Open | |
| Mamukala wetlands | Open | Please remain on pathway leading to the birdhide |
| Red Lily Billabong (Djunda) | Open | High clearance 4WD access only |
| South Alligator boat ramp and picnic area | Open | |
| Two Mile Hole Billabong | Open | 4WD only |
| Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head) | Closed | |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) | ||
| Home Billabong boat ramp | Open, but beware of risks | Please be aware of croc risks and take precautions |
| Jim Jim Billabong (Djim Djim Anlabbarl) campground | Open | |
| Jim Jim Billabong boat ramp | Open | |
| Kungardun (Gungardun) walk | Open | |
| Mardukal Billabong boat ramp | Open | |
| Mardukal Billabong walk | Open | |
| Mardukal campground one (caravans) | Open | |
| Mardukal campground two (tents) | Open | |
| Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre | Open | Open 9 am to 5 pm daily |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boat Cruise | Open | Please contact reservations@yellowwater.com.au for all tour bookings and departure times. Boat cruise operates all year-round. |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boardwalk | Open | |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boat ramp | Open | |
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.
Download resources
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. |
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