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
Latest news
Kakadu Access Report
Park Opening Plan
Steps to opening a site

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:

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 18 Nov 2025, 8:46 am (Darwin local time).

Latest news

Bushwalking and managed site access permits 2026

Applications for 2026 bushwalking and managed site access permits will open on 1 December 2025.

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.

Seasonal closures

As rain and storm activity increases across Kakadu, please be aware of seasonal site closures across the park:

Maguk
Mardukal Campground One
Gimbat Day Use

Motor Car Falls is temporarily closed due to heavy rain and an increased risk of flooding. We will coninture to monitor condidtions closely and provide updates as soon as access can safely resume. Boulder Creek Walk currently remains open.

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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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	IMPASSABLE restriction means motorists can still cross at their own risk. However, road conditions are likely to change rapidly and may present an extreme hazard. Inexperienced motorists should not attempt to use or cross.Please be aware of crocodile 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	Open
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. Target reopening date weather permitting 4 July 2026.
Karnamarr (Garnamarr) campground	Closed	Seasonal closure. Target reopening date weather permitting 4 July 2026.
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
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)	Open	Permit Required
Kambolgie campground	Open	Camping fees apply
Maguk	Closed	Seasonal closure from 4.30 pm Monday 17 November
Yurmikmik walks	Open, but beware of risks	Motor Car Falls is currently closed due to heavy rainfall. Boulder Creek is open. On-site signage will let you know to park at Motor Car carpark or Boulder Creek carpark during carpark upgrade works.
South Alligator
Alligator Billabong (Gurdurunguranjdju)	Closed	Seasonal closure
Bucket Billabong (Ngarrababa)	Closed	Seasonal closure
Four Mile Hole Billabong	Closed	Seasonal closure
Kungarre walk	Open
Mamukala wetlands	Open	Please remain on pathway leading to the birdhide
Red Lily Billabong (Djunda)	Closed	Seasonal closure
South Alligator boat ramp and picnic area	Open
Two Mile Hole Billabong	Open	4WD only
Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head)	Closed	Closed until further notice due to road inaccessibility
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)	Closed
Mardukal campground two (tents)	Open
Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre	Open	Open 10 am – 4 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

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.