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 9 Jan 2026, 15:49 pm (Darwin local time).
Latest news
Bowali Visitor Centre Operating Hours
Wet season (November–March): 10 am – 4 pm.
Dry season (April–October): 9 am – 5 pm.
Ubirr Wet Season Operations
From 1 December to 31 March, Ubirr operates as a restricted area to help protect this significant site during the wet season. Independent travellers can access Ubirr from 2 pm to sunset each day.
Please note: Ubirr is currently closed due to road closure at Magela Creek.
Seasonal closures
Magela Creek is currently CLOSED.
Water levels at Magela Creek may rise rapidly during the wet season, and fast-moving water makes crossing extremely dangerous. Please exercise caution and do not attempt to cross.
Cahills Crossing is currently closed and is IMPASSABLE. The NT Department of Logistics and Infrastructure (DLI) has closed the road for community and visitor safety.
The Cahills Crossing viewing platform is CLOSED.
For latest advice about Magela Creek and Cahills Crossing, please monitor the Road Report NT.
Motor Car Falls and Boulder Creek are currently Closed.
Bushwalking and managed site access permits 2026
Applications for 2026 bushwalking and managed site access permits opened on 1 December 2025 at 8 am (ACST).
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.
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 | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) | ||
| Anbangbang Billabong walk | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Barrk sandstone walk | Closed | Closed at the request of Traditional Owners |
| Bubba wetlands walk | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| 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 | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| East Alligator (Erre) | ||
| Badbong Wodjmeng sandstone river walk | Closed | |
| Bardedjilidji walk | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Cahills Crossing | Closed | Seasonal closure - water levels exceeding 2 metres. |
| Downstream boat ramp | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Manngarre rainforest walk | Closed | |
| Merl campground | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Oenpelli Road (at Magela Creek) | Closed | Magela Creek is currently CLOSED. Caution: Water levels may rise quickly due to increased severe weather conditions. |
| Ubirr rock art site | Closed | Ubirr is closed due to road closure at Magela Creek. |
| Upstream boat ramp | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Jabiru | ||
| Bowali Visitor Centre | Open | Closed Christmas Day (25 December 2025) and New Year’s Day (1 January 2026). Open 10 am - 4 pm from 2 January 2026. |
| 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. Target reopening: early July 2026 (weather permitting). |
| Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge) | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Budjmi lookout walk | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Jim Jim Falls (Barrkmallam) | Closed | Seasonal closure. Target reopening: early July 2026 (weather permitting). |
| Karnamarr (Garnamarr) campground | Closed | Seasonal closure. Target reopening: early July 2026 (weather permitting). |
| Twin Falls gorge | Closed | Closed in 2025 due to infrastructure upgrades. Reopening in dry season 2026 |
| Twin Falls plateau (escarpment) walk | Closed | Seasonal closure. Target reopening: early July 2026 (weather permitting). |
| 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) | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Kambolgie campground | Open, but beware of risks | High Clearance 4WD vehicles ONLY. Camping fees apply. |
| Maguk | Closed | Seasonal closure from 4.30 pm Monday 17 November |
| Yurmikmik walks | Closed | Yurmikmik walks is currently Closed due to Flash flooding. until further Notice.Severe weather conditions. |
| 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 | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| 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 | Crocodiles may be present. Exercise caution. |
| Jim Jim Billabong (Djim Djim Anlabbarl) campground | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Jim Jim Billabong boat ramp | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Kungardun (Gungardun) walk | Open | |
| Mardukal Billabong boat ramp | Open | |
| Mardukal Billabong walk | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Mardukal campground one (caravans) | Closed | Seasonal closure. |
| Mardukal campground two (tents) | Open | |
| Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre | Open | Open 10 am – 4 pm daily |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boat Cruise | Open | Yellow Waters Boat Ramp CLOSED Due to water Level Rising Seasonal Closure. Boat tours are still in operation please contact cooinda with details below.Please contact reservations@yellowwater.com.au for all tour bookings and departure times. Boat cruise operates all year-round. |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boardwalk | Closed | Currently closed due to rising water levels. |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boat ramp | Closed | Currenlty closed due to rising water levels. |
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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