Kakadu Access Report
This Access Report was last updated on 18 May 2026, 9:55 am (Darwin local time).
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.
On this page:
For the most up-to-date information, contact the Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 8938 1120 during operating hours.
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.
Please monitor the Road Report NT and the Kakadu Access Report for the latest updates.
Visitor site updates
Ubirr and sites in East Alligator region now open
We’re pleased to advise that the following sites in the East Alligator region are open:
- Ubirr
- Cahills Crossing viewing platforms
- Merl Campground One
- Upstream and Downstream boat ramps
The Northern Territory Department of Logistics and Infrastructure has advised that Magela Creek is now passable however there is water over the road and motorists are advised to take care and drive to conditions.
The Yurmikmik walks including Motor Car Falls and Boulder Creek are 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:
- Carpark two (Motor Car Falls) is open and is a shared space for tour operators and general visitors
- Access to Motor Car Falls and Boulder Creek is via carpark two only
- Carpark one (Boulder Creek) remains closed
- 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-late June pending further site assessments and infrastructure repairs.
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
Open
Open with risks
Closed
All open and closed visitor sites
| Visitor site | Status | Target opening date (weather permitting) and comments |
|---|---|---|
| Main Roads | ||
| Arnhem Highway | Open with risks | Road 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 Highway | Open with risks | Road 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 Road | Closed | Seasonal closure |
| Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) | ||
| Anbangbang Billabong walk | Closed | Water levels remain high limiting safe access. Targeted opening date is late May. |
| Barrk sandstone walk | Closed | Closed at the request of Traditional Owners |
| Bubba wetlands walk | Closed | Seasonal closure |
| Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site | Open | Gates open at 7am and close at 7pm daily. |
| Djarradjin (Muirella Park) Billabong | Closed | Expected to open in dry season. Typically open mid-April to end of November |
| Djarradjin (Muirella Park) campground | Closed | Seasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
| Kubara pools walk (Gubara pools walk) | Open | |
| Mirray (Mirrai) lookout walk | Open | |
| Nanguluwurr art site walk | Open | |
| Nawurlandja lookout walk | Open | Gates open at 7am and close at 7pm 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 | Cahills Crossing is currently listed as impassable. Please monitor the Road Report NT for the latest updates. |
| Cahills Crossing viewing platform | Open | |
| Downstream boat ramp | Open | |
| Manngarre rainforest walk | Closed | |
| Merl campground | Open | There is water over the road at Magela Creek and motorists are advised to take care and drive to conditions. |
| Oenpelli Road (at Magela Creek) | Open with risks | There is water over the road at Magela Creek and motorists are advised to take care and drive to conditions. |
| Ubirr rock art site | Open | There is water over the road at Magela Creek and motorists are advised to take care and drive to conditions. |
| Upstream boat ramp | Open | |
| Jabiru | ||
| Bowali Visitor Centre | Open | Open 9 am - 5 pm |
| Bowali track | Open | All year access |
| Burdulba campground | Closed | Closed due to high water levels |
| Malabanjbanjdju caravan camping | Closed | |
| Malabanjbanjdju tent camping | Closed | Closed to due high water levels |
| 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. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
| Jim Jim Falls (Barrkmallam) | Closed | Seasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
| Karnamarr (Garnamarr) campground | Closed | Seasonal closure. Site assessments are continuing. |
| 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. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
| Mary River | ||
| Bukbukluk lookout | Open | |
| Giyamungkurr (Black Jungle Springs) | Closed | |
| Gungurul campground | Open | |
| Gungurul lookout and river walk | Open | |
| Gunlom | Closed | Targeted opening date is mid-late June pending further site assessments and infrastructure repairs. |
| 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 | Targeted opening mid-June pending further site assessments. |
| Kambolgie campground | Open with risks | 4WD high-clearance vehicle access only. |
| Maguk | Closed | Seasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
| Yurmikmik walks | Open with risks | 4WD 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) | 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 | Open | |
| 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. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
| Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head) | Closed | Closed until further notice due to road inaccessibility |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) | ||
| Home Billabong | Open | Typically open all year. Crocodiles may be present. Exercise caution |
| Home Billabong boat ramp | Open | Typically open all year. Crocodiles may be present. Exercise caution |
| Jim Jim Billabong | Closed | Seasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
| Jim Jim Billabong (Djim Djim Anlabbarl) campground | Closed | Seasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
| Jim Jim Billabong boat ramp | Closed | Seasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
| Kungardun (Gungardun) walk | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Mardukal Billabong | Open | Typically open all year |
| Mardukal Billabong boat ramp | Open | |
| Mardukal Billabong walk | Closed | Seasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
| Mardukal campground one (caravans) | Closed | Seasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
| Mardukal campground two (tents) | Open | |
| Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre | Open | |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Billabong | Open | Typically open all year |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boat Cruise | Open | Boat cruise typically operates all year-round. Please contact reservations@yellowwater.com.au for tour bookings and departure times |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boardwalk | Closed | Seasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boat ramp | Closed | Seasonal closure. Water levels remain high and assessments are continuing. |
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.
| 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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