On 28 March 2025 the government assumed a Caretaker role. Information on websites maintained by Parks Australia will be published in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions until after the conclusion of the caretaker period.

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

Take in the big picture on the map and scroll down for more information about sites which interest you.

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

To learn more about interpreting this report, take a look at the steps to opening a site below.

Latest news

Seasonal changes

Opening hours of Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre are 9 am to 5 pm daily.

The Yellow Water cruise operates from Home Billabong behind Cooinda Lodge. For all departures, please use Cooinda carpark as the designated parking location.

Please contact reservations@yellowwater.com.au for all tour bookings and departure times of Yellow Waters cruise. 

Oenpelli Road now impassable to all traffic. 

Water level at Magela Creek is over 1 metre. Road classified as impassable by NT Department of Logistics and Infrastructure (DLI).

Seasonal closures in the East Alligator region apply to:

  • Ubirr
  • Merl campground
  • Upstream boat ramp
  • Downstream boat ramp.

Permits

Overnight/off track bushwalking permits are limited each year, with various locations subjective 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.

For reception and permit queries, please contact Bowali Visitor Centre on 08 8938 1120 while phone line connections are restored.

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.

Visitor siteStatusComments
Main Roads
Arnhem HighwayOpenDrive with care
Kakadu HighwayOpen
Old Jim Jim RoadClosedClosed due to flooding
Burrungkuy (Nourlangie)
Anbangbang Billabong walkClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Barrk sandstone walkClosedClosed at the request of Traditional Owners
Bubba wetlands walkClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art siteOpenAll year access. Gates open at 7 am and close at 7 pm daily 
Djarradjin (Muirella Park) campgroundClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Kubara pools walk (Gubara pools walk)Open4WD recommended
Mirray (Mirrai) lookout walkOpenAll year access
Nanguluwurr art site walkOpenAll year access. 4WD recommended
Nawurlandja lookout walkOpenAll year access. Gates open at 7 am and close at 7 pm daily
Sandy Billabong (Djirrilba) campgroundClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
East Alligator (Erre)
Badbong Wodjmeng sandstone river walkClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Bardedjilidji walkClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Cahills CrossingClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Downstream boat rampClosedSeasonal closure
Manngarre rainforest walkClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Merl campgroundClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Oenpelli Road (at Magela Creek)ClosedWater level at Magela Creek is over 1 metre. Road classified as impassable by NT Department of Logistics and Infrastructure (DLI)
Ubirr rock art siteClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Upstream boat rampClosedSeasonal closure
Jabiru
Bowali Visitor CentreOpenOpen 8 am to 5 pm daily
Bowali trackOpenAll year access
Burdulba campgroundClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Malabanjbanjdju campgroundClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Yilikadjarr walkClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Jim Jim & Twin Falls
Barrk Marlam walkClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge)ClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Budjmi lookout walkClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Jim Jim Falls (Barrkmallam)ClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Karnamarr (Garnamarr) campgroundClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Twin Falls gorgeClosedClosed in 2025 due to infrastructure upgrades. Reopening in dry season 2026
Twin Falls plateau (escarpment) walkClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Mary River
Bukbukluk lookoutOpen
Giyamungkurr (Black Jungle Springs)ClosedClosed
Gungurul campgroundOpen
Gungurul lookout and river walkOpen
GunlomClosedOpening in early May 2025.
Guratba/Gimbat day use areaClosedOpening in 2025 dry season 
Igoymarrwa (Ikoymarrawa) rock holesOpen4WD access only to lower Ikoymarrwa waterfall plunge pool
Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge)ClosedOpening in 2025 dry season 
Kambolgie campgroundOpenCamping fees apply
MagukClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Yurmikmik walksOpen
South Alligator
Alligator Billabong (Gurdurunguranjdju)ClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Bucket Billabong (Ngarrababa)ClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Four Mile Hole BillabongClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Kungarre walkClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Mamukala wetlandsClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Red Lily Billabong (Djunda)ClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
South Alligator boat ramp and picnic areaOpen
Two Mile Hole BillabongClosedOpening in 2025 dry season
Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head)ClosedCurrently closed
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba)
Home Billabong boat rampOpen, but beware of risksWater levels in carpark still high. Please be aware of croc risk and take precautions.
Jim Jim Billabong (Djim Djim Anlabbarl) campgroundClosedOpening in 2025 dry season 
Jim Jim Billabong boat rampClosedDue to seasonal conditions
Kungardun (Gungardun) walkClosedOpening in 2025 dry season 
Mardukal (Mardugal) Billabong walkClosedClosed for safety reasons
Mardukal (Mardugal) campground one (caravans)ClosedOpening in 2025 dry season 
Mardukal (Mardugal) campground two (tents)Open
Mardukal Billabong boat rampClosedSeasonal closure
Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural CentreOpenOpen 9 am to 5 pm daily
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boat CruiseOpenPlease contact reservations@yellowwater.com.au for all tour bookings and departure times
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boardwalkClosedOpening in 2025 dry season 
Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boat rampClosedDue to seasonal conditions

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.

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.

More information

For more information about Kakadu National Park, contact the Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 8938 1120.