Kubara Road open and welcoming motorists

The first of 5 road upgrades being delivered as part of a $70 million Kakadu National Park road upgrade program is now complete.

Kubara Road, which leads to Kubara Pools and Nanguluwurr art site walks, is officially open for use.

The works transformed Kubara Road into a 6 metre wide gravel road, raised the road formation and included the installation of a new culvert and concrete floodway to improve flood resilience.

The broader program includes works on Maguk, Jim Jim Falls, Gimbat and Gunlom Roads.

• Maguk Road: A 6.6-kilometre section of Maguk Road is being upgraded and sealed, with the day-use track also being realigned to improve access to Maguk. Works began in May and are expected to be completed by December 2027.
• Jim Jim Falls Road: Around 20 kilometres of Jim Jim Falls Road will be upgraded in two sections to improve access to Jim Jim and Twin Falls. Works began in June and are expected to be completed by December 2026.
• Gimbat and Gunlom roads: Upgrades to 4.6 kilometres of Gimbat Road and 6.35 kilometres of Gunlom Road will improve flood immunity, with works expected to begin in September 2026 and to be completed by December 2027.

The upgrades will improve access to key park attractions and support growth in Kakadu’s annual visitation, which can reach up to 200,000 visitors each year.

The Australian Government is funding the upgrades through the $216 million Growing Tourism in Kakadu package and are being delivered by the Northern Territory Government Department of Logistics and Infrastructure.

The works are being delivered by the Northern Territory Government with support from Parks Australia and in consultation with Traditional Owners through the Northern Land Council.

Traditional Owners have been closely involved in the project as cultural monitors, helping ensure cultural heritage is respectfully protected and preserved for future generations.