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.

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 1 May 2026, 2:20 pm (Darwin local time).

Latest news

Road status - Drive with care

There is road damage including large potholes along sections of the Arnhem Highway and Kakadu Highways. In particular, there is a large pothole near the northern information bay on the Arnhem Highway. Road users are advised to exercise caution and monitor conditions closely.

Maintenance crews are on site repairing large potholes. Speed reductions are in place.

Road damage on the Kakadu Highway at Nourlangie Creek, Jim Jim Creek Bridge and Mary River Bridge.

Please monitor the Road Report NT and the Kakadu Access Report for the latest updates.

Seasonal updates:

The Yurmikmik walks including Motor Car Falls and Boulder Creek are now open. 

Please note that Gimbat Road is currently only suitable for 4WD high-clearance vehicles and some temporary arrangements are in place following damage from flooding: 

  1. Carpark two (Motor Car Falls) is open and is a shared space for tour operators and general visitors 
  2. Access to Motor Car Falls and Boulder Creek is via carpark two only 
  3. Carpark one (Boulder Creek) remains closed 
  4. Toilet facilities at carpark one are closed – there are currently no toilet facilities available on site 

Kambolgie campground is open. Access to this site is only suitable for 4WD high-clearance vehicles.

Gunlom is targeted to open in mid-June pending further site assessments and infrastructure repairs.

Magela Creek has been assessed by the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure (DLI), as being impassable. Water levels are receding quickly in this area and we are hopeful that the East Alligator region including Ubirr will be accessible in the next week. 

Cahills Crossing is currently closed. DLI has closed the road for community and visitor safety.

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

Bowali Visitor Centre Operating Hours

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

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

Parks Pass

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

Facilities

There is a supermarket in Jabiru and an additional store at Cooinda. There is no shop or fuel at Mary River Roadhouse. Fuel is available at Pine Creek, Cooinda or Jabiru.

Map of visitor sites

All open and closed visitor sites

Visitor siteStatusTarget opening date (weather permitting) and comments
Main Roads
Arnhem HighwayOpen, but beware of risksRoad damage along sections of the Arnhem Highway, including a large pothole near the northern information bay. Road users are advised to exercise caution and monitor conditions closely. For current conditions, check the official NT Road Report
Kakadu HighwayOpen, but beware of risksRoad damage at Nourlangie Creek, Jim Jim Creek Bridge and Mary River Bridge. Speed reductions are in place. For current Kakadu Highway conditions, check the official NT Road Report
Old Jim Jim RoadClosedSeasonal closure
Burrungkuy (Nourlangie)
Anbangbang Billabong walkClosedWater levels remain high limiting safe access. Targeted opening date is late May.
Barrk sandstone walkClosedClosed at the request of Traditional Owners
Bubba wetlands walkClosedSeasonal closure 
Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art siteOpenGates open at 7 am and close at 7 pm daily
Djarradjin (Muirella Park) BillabongClosedExpected to open in dry season. Typically open mid-April to end of November
Djarradjin (Muirella Park) campgroundClosedWater levels rising. Severe weather conditions 
Kubara pools walk (Gubara pools walk)Open
Mirray (Mirrai) lookout walkOpen
Nanguluwurr art site walkOpen
Nawurlandja lookout walkOpenGates open at 7 am and close at 7 pm daily
Sandy Billabong (Djirrilba) campgroundClosedSeasonal closure 
East Alligator (Erre)
Badbong Wodjmeng sandstone river walkClosed
Bardedjilidji walkClosedSeasonal closure
Cahills CrossingClosedSeasonal closure - water levels exceeding 2 metres 
Downstream boat rampClosedSeasonal closure
Manngarre rainforest walkClosed
Merl campgroundClosedSeasonal closure. Merl campground remains closed due to impassable road conditions at Magela Creek. Please refer to the Road Report NT for the latest updates. 
Oenpelli Road (at Magela Creek)ClosedMagela Creek has been assessed by the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure, as being impassable. 
Ubirr rock art siteClosedUbirr remains closed due to impassable road conditions at Magela Creek. Please refer to the Road Report NT for the latest updates. 
Upstream boat rampClosedSeasonal closure
Jabiru
Bowali Visitor CentreOpenOpen 9 am - 5 pm 
Bowali trackOpenAll year access
Burdulba campgroundClosedClosed due to high water levels
Malabanjbanjdju caravan campingClosed
Malabanjbanjdju tent campingClosedClosed to due high water levels
Yilikadjarr walkClosed
Jim Jim & Twin Falls
Barrk Marlam walkClosedSeasonal closure. Target reopening: early July 2026 (weather permitting)
Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge)ClosedSeasonal closure 
Budjmi lookout walkClosedSeasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing.
Jim Jim Falls (Barrkmallam)ClosedSeasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing.
Karnamarr (Garnamarr) campgroundClosedSeasonal closure. Site assessments are continuing.
Twin Falls gorgeClosedClosed for infrastructure upgrades. Reopening date TBD. Updates will be issued as works progress
Twin Falls plateau (escarpment) walkClosedSeasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing.
Mary River
Bukbukluk lookoutOpen
Giyamungkurr (Black Jungle Springs)Closed
Gungurul campgroundOpen
Gungurul lookout and river walkOpen
GunlomClosedTargeted opening date is mid-June pending further site assessments and infrastructure repairs.
Guratba/Gimbat day use areaClosedSeasonal closure 
Igoymarrwa (Ikoymarrwa) rock holesOpen4WD access only to lower Ikoymarrwa waterfall plunge pool
Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge)ClosedTargeted opening mid-June pending further site assessments.
Kambolgie campgroundOpen, but beware of risks4WD high-clearance vehicle access only.
MagukClosedSeasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. 
Yurmikmik walksOpen, but beware of risks4WD high-clearance vehicle access only. Carpark two (Motor Car Falls) is open. Access to Motor Car Falls and Boulder Creek is via carpark two (Motor Car Falls) only. Carpark one (Boulder Creek) including the toilet facilities remain closed.
South Alligator
Alligator Billabong (Gurdurunguranjdju)ClosedSeasonal closure. Expected to open in dry season. Typically open late June to end of November
Bucket Billabong (Ngarrababa)ClosedSeasonal closure. Expected to open in dry season. Typically open late June to end of November
Four Mile Hole BillabongClosedSeasonal closure. Expected to open in dry season. Typically open late June to end of November
Kungarre walkClosedSeasonal closure 
Mamukala wetlandsClosedClosed until further notice due to high water levels. Please remain on pathway leading to the birdhide. Seasonal closure
Red Lily Billabong (Djunda)ClosedSeasonal closure. Expected to open in dry season. Typically open late June to end of November
South Alligator boat ramp and picnic areaOpen
Two Mile Hole BillabongClosedSeasonal closure. Expected to open in dry season. Typically open April to November
Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head)ClosedClosed until further notice due to road inaccessibility
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba)
Home BillabongOpenTypically open all year. Crocodiles may be present. Exercise caution
Home Billabong boat rampOpenTypically open all year. Crocodiles may be present. Exercise caution
Jim Jim BillabongClosedExpected to open in dry season. Typically open mid May to end of November
Jim Jim Billabong (Djim Djim Anlabbarl) campgroundClosedSeasonal closure
Jim Jim Billabong boat rampClosedSeasonal closure 
Kungardun (Gungardun) walkClosedClosed due to water levels rising 
Mardukal BillabongOpenTypically open all year
Mardukal Billabong boat rampOpen
Mardukal Billabong walkClosedSeasonal closure
Mardukal campground one (caravans)ClosedSeasonal closure 
Mardukal campground two (tents)Open
Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural CentreOpen
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) BillabongOpenTypically open all year
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boat CruiseOpenBoat cruise typically operates all year-round. Please contact reservations@yellowwater.com.au for tour bookings and departure times
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boardwalkClosedClosed due to high water levels 
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boat rampClosedClosed due to high 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.

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.

StepStatusDescription
Site temporarily closedClosedSite closed due to events beyond Kakadu's control. For example: flooding, bushfires, roadworks or extreme weather.
Preliminary site assessmentClosedInspect the site and plan upcoming works.
Site maintenance worksClosedInitial cleanup, road repairs, early dry season burning, feral animal and weed control.
Site cleanupClosedCleaning and maintenance of visitor facilities, walking tracks and signage.
Crocodile trapping and surveysClosedCrocodile trap installation and monitoring.
Infrastructure installationClosedFollowed by Park Manager approval and site opening.
Open, but beware of risksOpen*Possible risks include: road conditions, fire management and ongoing maintenance work.
Site openOpenConditions are good. Any site specific advice will be noted.

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