Here is your information to one of the best Kakadu National Park walks, together with scenic lookouts, historical Aboriginal rock artwork websites, and extra.
Located within the Northern Territory, about three hours from Darwin, Kakadu National Park is Australia’s largest nationwide park.
With beautiful waterfalls tumbling into pure swimming holes, historical rock artwork older than the pyramids, and luxurious landscapes that change with the seasons, Kakadu can be one of many nation’s most spectacular parks.
Kakadu National Park can be a UNESCO World Heritage web site, celebrated for its cultural significance and breathtaking pure magnificence. One of one of the best methods to really recognize it’s on foot.
During your walks, look forward to finding bird-filled wetlands, dramatic escarpments, tranquil billabongs, and luxurious patches of monsoon forest.
In addition, Kakadu is dwelling to the world’s oldest residing tradition. The park is collectively managed by conventional Aboriginal homeowners and Parks Australia, which makes a go to right here much more significant.
If you’re into climbing, you’re positively in for a deal with. The walks right here vary from brief and simple to lengthy and rewarding.
Find extra self-drive adventures with these epic Northern Territory street journeys!
13 Amazing Kakadu National Park Walks
There’s no higher solution to expertise the magic of Kakadu than by hitting its trails. The park has quite a lot of strolling tracks that showcase its most iconic landscapes and cultural websites.
From breathtaking escarpment views to wildlife-rich wetlands and interesting rock artwork, these walks take you deep into the guts of Australia’s Top End, the place you may watch the great thing about Kakadu unfold earlier than your eyes.
We’ve put collectively this checklist that can assist you select one of the best walks to your go to, whether or not you’re up for a brief scenic stroll or a more difficult journey.
Please be aware that some trailheads are solely accessible by 4-wheel drive, particularly throughout sure instances of the 12 months. Check the nationwide parks web site for alerts and different data!
The greatest solution to get round is to lease a automotive and discover by yourself! We suggest Rental Cars, which has the most important vary of automobiles for one of the best worth available on the market.
1. Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock Art Walk
- Distance – 1.5 km loop
- Duration – 45 minutes
- Difficulty – simple
- Start / Finish Points – Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) automotive park
If you’re within the space’s tradition and historical past, the Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock Art Walk is a superb path to discover. This simple 1.5 km loop takes you thru historical rock shelters and escarpments the place you may view among the park’s most spectacular rock artwork.
One of the highlights alongside this path is the Anbangbang Gallery, a widely known rock artwork web site that includes vibrant depictions of ancestral beings, together with Namarrgon, the Lightning Man, and conventional looking scenes.
The galleries, created by Aboriginal individuals over hundreds of years, provide a robust glimpse into their tales, spirituality, and lifestyle.
Interpretive indicators alongside the path assist carry the art work to life and clarify the deep connection between the Traditional Owners and the encircling panorama.
The Burrungkuy Rock Art Walk is accessible year-round, together with in the course of the moist season, when the escarpment nation bursts into colour. It is appropriate for a fairly match individual and might be accomplished in below an hour.
2. Gubara Pools Walk
- Distance – 6 km return
- Duration – 2 to three hours
- Difficulty – average
- Start / Finish Points – Gubara automotive park (accessed by way of Nourlangie Road)
The Gubara Pools Walk is a rewarding 6 km return path that takes you thru savanna woodland and stone nation to a collection of shady rock swimming pools fed by beautiful waterfalls in the course of the moist season.
This comparatively light stroll takes you to sun-exposed stretches and sheltered sections of rainforest, making it an important alternative for these seeking to escape the crowds and soak in Kakadu’s extra tranquil facet.
At the tip of your journey, you’ll attain the plunge pool space. Stop by for a refreshing dip when water ranges permit.
While the waterfalls listed here are most energetic throughout or after the moist season, there’s water on the plunge pool year-round. It’s one among Kakadu’s quieter gems, splendid for these in search of nature, solitude, and a little bit of swimming alongside the way in which.
3. Bowali Track
- Distance – 4 km return
- Duration – 1 to 1.5 hours
- Difficulty – simple
- Start / Finish Points – begin on the reverse of the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru and finish within the customer centre
The Bowali Track hyperlinks the Bowali Visitor Centre with the township of Jabiru. It’s excellent for stretching your legs whereas taking in a few of Kakadu’s pure magnificence at a relaxed tempo.
The climbing path winds via open woodland and clusters of paperbarks, the place you may spot fascinating hen life, particularly within the late afternoon when the realm comes alive with motion and birdsong.
As you set out in your walks, take a second to understand the deep connection the normal homeowners, the Bininj/Mungguy individuals, have with this land.
The customer centre itself is a unbelievable place to be taught extra about their tradition, in addition to the vegetation, animals, and landscapes that make Kakadu so wonderful.
4. Nawurlandja Lookout Walk
- Distance – 600 m return
- Duration – half-hour
- Difficulty – simple
- Start / Finish Points – Nawurlandja automotive park (close to Burrungkuy/Nourlangie)
The Nawurlandja Lookout Walk could also be a brief hike, however it’s a rewarding one. It’s a delicate climb up a sandstone slope that results in one of the vital breathtaking views in Kakadu National Park.
From the highest, take pleasure in sweeping vistas over the Arnhem Land escarpment, Anbangbang Billabong, and the encircling stone nation.
The Nawurlandja Lookout could require a climb, nevertheless it’s a type of spots that offers you an actual sense of Kakadu’s scale and historical magnificence, one thing you may also glimpse on a Kakadu scenic flight.
But climbing means that you can expertise it up shut, with the stillness and birdsong within the background. The lookout is particularly magical round sundown, when the escarpment glows gold and purple.
Although the path is brief, it’s necessary to return ready, as situations might be unpredictable.
5. Ubirr Walk
- Distance – 1 km loop + 250 m non-obligatory lookout
- Duration – 1 hour
- Difficulty – simple to average
- Start / Finish Points – Ubirr automotive park
The Ubirr Walk is among the most iconic climbing trails in Kakadu National Park, and for good purpose. This simple/average loop takes you thru Ubirr rock, a web site identified for its beautiful Aboriginal rock artwork, a few of which is believed to be over 20,000 years outdated.
As you stroll among the many historical galleries, you may achieve perception into the tales and traditions of the normal homeowners, the Bininj/Mungguy individuals, who’ve cared for this land for numerous generations.
The climbing path finishes with a brief climb to the highest of Ubirr rock, the place you’ll be met with unbelievable sundown views over the Nadab floodplain and the distant Arnhem Land escarpment. This climbing journey completely captures the sheer scale and great thing about this World Heritage space.
6. Jim Jim Falls Walk
- Distance – 2 km return
- Duration – 1 to 2 hours
- Difficulty – average to tough
- Start / Finish Points – Jim Jim Falls automotive park (dry season entry solely; 4WD required)
The Jim Jim Falls Walk takes you deep into Kakadu’s dramatic stone nation, the place towering cliffs and luxurious forest encompass one of many park’s most beautiful waterfalls.
The 2 km return path is a little bit of a rocky scramble in components, however the reward on the finish is nicely price it, particularly within the dry season, when you may attain the plunge pool and gaze up on the sheer cliffs the place the water drops from 200 meters above!
During the moist season, climbing journeys to the plunge pool is just not permitted. However, you may nonetheless take of their full glory on a scenic flight, an thrilling solution to see this iconic spot and recognize the dimensions of Kakadu’s wild terrain.
Visit Jim Jim Falls on a guided multiday 4WD journey of Kakadu from Darwin!
7. Twin Falls Gorge Walk (by way of boat shuttle and boardwalk)
- Distance – 1.8 km return
- Duration – 1 hour
- Difficulty – average
- Start / Finish Points – After the boat shuttle, by way of Twin Falls automotive park (4WD + seasonal entry)
The Twin Falls Gorge Walk is a real Kakadu spotlight, main you into one of the vital spectacular corners of the nationwide park.
After a brief boat shuttle via the gorge (operates within the dry season), observe a scenic climbing path that winds over rocks and alongside the crystal-clear creek. At the tip, you’re rewarded with views of the beautiful waterfalls that give the path its title – twin streams plunging over towering cliffs right into a shady gorge.
While swimming could not all the time be attainable on the base of the falls, the views of those beautiful waterfalls are epic! Plus, there are designated spots close by the place you may calm down and dip your ft.
A park go is required to go to this space. And should you’re coming right here in the course of the dry season, a 4WD automobile could also be essential to entry the location.
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8. Gunlom Lookout Walk
- Distance – 1 km return
- Duration – half-hour
- Difficulty – average to tough
- Start / Finish Points – Gunlom automotive park
The Gunlom Lookout Walk is among the most iconic trails in Kakadu National Park, that includes unbelievable views over the southern hills and stone nation. The brief however steep stroll rewards you with panoramic surroundings and entry to the well-known Gunlom plunge pool on the high.
As you go climbing alongside the Gunlom Lookout Walk, you’ll go via traditional outback terrain earlier than reaching the pure infinity-edge plunge pool, which has turn out to be a favourite for a lot of guests to the nationwide park.
Please be aware that the Gunlom plunge pool could also be closed for cultural causes on the request of Traditional Owners.
When planning your go to, verify the official Kakadu National Park web site for present entry standing and different data that can assist you plan a secure and respectful journey.
The Gunlom Lookout Walk can be thought of one of many trickiest trails within the park as a consequence of its steep incline and rugged floor. For a safer and extra fulfilling journey, contemplate reserving excursions via operators like Willis’s Walkabouts. They have in-depth information of the realm and provide guided excursions.
9. Mardukal Billabong Walk
- Distance – 1 km loop
- Duration – half-hour
- Difficulty – simple
- Start / Finish Points – Mardukal campground trackhead
If you’re searching for a peaceable climbing expertise with a excessive likelihood of recognizing wildlife, the Mardukal Billabong Walk is a superb path to sort out.
Due to its flat terrain, it’s thought of one of many best walks within the park, winding via thick woodlands and alongside tranquil billabongs.
Located close to the well-known Yellow Water Billabong, this stroll is right for birdwatchers. During your climbing journey, hold an eye fixed out for magpie geese, kingfishers, and even the occasional jabiru.
Many guests additionally select to take a Yellow Water cruise to discover the billabong by boat, which presents a novel and equally beautiful perspective of the wetlands and their wildlife.
Some travellers who ebook nature excursions or keep at a close-by camp would stroll this path for its calm, accessible setting.
If you’ve carried out comparable journeys in Yellow Water, this stroll makes an ideal addition. It’s a stunning solution to begin or finish your day at Kakadu Park and an important likelihood to identify native wildlife with no need to go far.
10. Nanguluwurr Rock Art Site Walk
- Distance – 3.4 km return
- Duration – 1.5 to 2 hours
- Difficulty – simple to average
- Start / Finish Points – simply off the Kakadu Highway, west of Burrungkuy (Nourlangie)
Nanguluwurr Rock Art Site Walk is a unbelievable path for these inquisitive about climbing via Kakadu’s historical landscapes whereas diving deep into its cultural historical past.
The 3.4 km return path leads you thru sparse bushland to a rock shelter that contains a beautiful assortment of Aboriginal rock artwork.
The Nanguluwurr Rock Art Site options hand stencils, animal figures, and even contact-era depictions, corresponding to crusing ships, which offer a robust glimpse into hundreds of years of storytelling and custom.
This is a type of trails which have turn out to be a favourite cease on cultural walks with Willis’s Walkabouts, which provide immersive journey experiences throughout Northern Australia.
Explore extra walks round Australia with our full Australia climbing information!
11. Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) Walk
- Distance – 2 km return
- Duration – 1 to 1.5 hours
- Difficulty – average
- Start / Finish Points – Maguk automotive park (4WD entry solely)
If you’re craving a little bit of journey in Kakadu National Park, the Maguk (Barramundi Gorge) Walk must be in your checklist.
This brief however rewarding climbing path leads you thru light-dappled woodlands and over light rock crossings earlier than arriving at a spectacular plunge pool.
At the tip of your journey, you’ll be greeted by one of the vital beautiful waterfalls within the park, cascading right into a crystal-clear plunge pool that’s excellent for a refreshing swim.
Maguk presents that quintessential Australian outback expertise. It’s uncooked, rugged, and extremely spectacular!
This is a type of Kakadu strolling journeys that enchantment to nature lovers, photographers, and anybody seeking to escape the crowds and benefit from the peaceable facet of the nationwide park. If you need to discover with a information, be part of a 3-day tenting tour from Darwin!
12. Mamukala Wetlands Walk
- Distance – 3 km loop
- Duration – 1.5 hours
- Difficulty – simple
- Start / Finish Points – Mamukala Wetlands automotive park, off the South Alligator Road
The Mamukala Wetlands Walk is among the greatest methods to expertise the wonderful wildlife and birdlife of Kakadu National Park. Located only a brief drive from Jabiru, this simple stroll takes you thru totally different areas of wetland and woodland, with unbelievable views and a peaceable ambiance that’s excellent for nature lovers.
Expect to see hundreds of birds and different fascinating wildlife species throughout your walks, particularly on the finish of the dry season. You will often discover them gathering across the water’s edge.
There are interpretive indicators alongside the path that enable you to perceive the realm’s delicate ecosystems, making this a great cease for academic journeys, self-guided walks, or guided excursions.
13. Bardedjilidji Walk
- Distance – 3.4 km return
- Duration – 1.5 to 2 hours
- Difficulty – simple to average
- Start / Finish Points – small automotive park situated 500 m from the upstream boat ramp on the East Alligator River
If you’re in search of an actual journey within the coronary heart of Australia, hike alongside the Bardedjilidji Walk.
This loop path winds via sandstone formations, lush forested pockets, and paperbark groves close to the East Alligator River, making a panorama that feels otherworldly and deeply linked to the land.
Along the way in which, you’ll have the possibility to discover caves and crevices, a lot of which have been utilized by Aboriginal individuals for hundreds of years. The space is wealthy in wildlife, so hold an eye fixed out for birds, reptiles, and different creatures that thrive on this distinctive habitat.
Ideal for brief journeys or daytime climbing excursions, the Bardedjilidji Walk is a real journey for these wanting to attach with Kakadu’s rugged magnificence and vibrant wildlife.
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