Kakadu Access Report
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
- Access and maintenance information
- Maintenance occurring on the Jim Jim Falls road. Please drive slowly and adhere to all signage in place.
- No fuel available at Mary River Roadhouse. Shop, bar and motel rooms are closed until further notice, however camping and budget rooms are available. Nearest fuel stops Cooinda and Pine Creek.
- Freshwater crocodiles inhabit the Gunlom plunge pool. Enter water at own risk. Walking trail to the top remains closed.
- Maguk plunge pool and campground open. Walking trail to the top remains closed.
- Road works continue on Gimbat Road at Kambolgie Creek with road trains and heavy machinery in use. A detour is currently in place. Please slow down, drive with your headlights on and keep a safe distance to vehicles travelling in front.
- Visitor Centre staff are providing information in the foyer of the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, weekdays from 9:00 am – 11:00 am and from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm while the Bowali Visitor Centre is closed for maintenance. The Bowali team is also available on (08) 8938 1120 – 7 days a week, between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm.
- Access to Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head) is strictly by 4WD only. No potable water onsite, so carry plenty of drinking water. Satellite phone or personal locator beacon (PLB ), first aid kit and recovery gear are essential.
- Grading underway on the road to Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head). Please drive carefully and observe directional signage.
| Visitor site | Status | Comments | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main roads | |||
| Arnhem Highway | Open | Open since 19 June 2020 | |
| Kakadu Highway | Open | Open since 19 June 2020 | |
| Old Jim Jim Road | Open (!) | Currently 4WD access only | Open since 19 June 2020 |
| South Alligator region | |||
| South Alligator Boat Ramp and Picnic Area | Open | ||
| Mamukala wetlands | Open | ||
| Kungarre Walk | Closed | Site temporarily closed, more details coming soon | |
| Red Lily Billabong (Djunda) | Open | 4WD essential | Open since 26 June 2020 |
| Bucket Billabong (Ngarrababa) | Open (!) | Currently 4WD access only | |
| Alligator Billabong (Gurdurunguranjdju) | Open (!) | Currently 4WD access only | |
| Two Mile Hole Billabong | Open | 4WD essential | Open since 26 June 2020 |
| Four Mile Hole Billabong | Closed | Site maintenance works | |
| Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head) | Open | 4WD essential | Open since 10 August 2020 |
| Jabiru region | |||
| Bowali Visitor Centre | Closed | Site maintenance works | Forecast to open mid August |
| Bowali track | Open | ||
| Yilikadjarr walk | Closed | Preliminary site assessment | |
| Malabanjbanjdju Campground (tent area) | Open | Camping fees apply | Open since 26 June 2020 |
| Malabanjbanjdju Campground (caravan area) | Open | Camping fees apply | Open since 26 June 2020 |
| Burdulba Campground | Open | Camping fees apply | Open since 26 June 2020 |
| East Alligator region | |||
| Ubirr rock art site | Open | Open since 26 June 2020 | |
| Oenpelli Road (at Magela Creek) | Open | ||
| Cahills Crossing | Open (!) | Currently high clearance 4WD only, 0.3 m water over road | |
| Manngarre Rainforest Walk | Open (!) | Follow walking track markers | |
| Bardedjilidji Walk | Open (!) | Follow walking track markers | |
| Sandstone and River Bush Walk (Badbong Wodjmeng) | Open (!) | Follow walking track markers | |
| Merl Campground | Open | Camping fees apply | Open since 26 June 2020 |
| Nourlangie region | |||
| Nourlangie (Burrungkuy) rock art site | Open | ||
| Nawurlandja Lookout Walk | Open | ||
| Anbangbang Billabong Walk | Open | ||
| Kubara Pools Walk (Gubara Pools Walk) | Open | 4WD recommended | |
| Nanguluwurr Art Site Walk | Open | 4WD recommended | |
| Barrk Bush Walk | Open | ||
| Djarradjin (Muirella Park) Campground | Open | ||
| Sandy Billabong (Djirrilba) Campground | Open | ||
| Bubba Walk | Open | ||
| Mirray (Mirrai) Lookout Walk | Open | ||
| Yellow Water region | |||
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boardwalk | Open | Open since 31 July 2020 | |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boat Cruise | Open | Open since 19 June 2020 | |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boat Ramp | Open | ||
| Home Billabong Walk | Closed | ||
| Home Billabong Boat Ramp | Open | ||
| Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre | Closed | Site maintenance works | Forecast to open late August |
| Mardukal (Mardugal) campground one (caravans) | Open | Camping fees apply | Open since 26 June 2020 |
| Mardukal (Mardugal) campground two (tents) | Open | Camping fees apply | |
| Mardukal (Mardugal) Billabong Walk | Open | Open since 29 June 2020 | |
| Kungardun (Gungardun) Walk | Open | ||
| Jim Jim Billabong (Djim Djim Anlabbarl) Campground | Closed | ||
| Jim Jim and Twin Falls region | |||
| Jim Jim Falls (Barrkmalam) | Open | 4WD essential | |
| Twin Falls | Closed | Road impassable | |
| Twin Falls Boat Cruise | Closed | ||
| Karnamarr (Garnamarr) Campground | Open | 4WD essential | |
| Budjmi Lookout Walk | Closed | Site temporarily closed, more details coming soon | |
| Barrk Marlam walk (Bark Marlam bushwalk) | Open | 4WD essential | Open since 4 July 2020 |
| Twin Falls Plateau (Escarpment) Walk | Closed | ||
| Bilkbilkmi (Graveside) gorge | Open | Permit required | |
| Mary River region | |||
| Gunlom | Open | ||
| Maguk | Open (!) | Follow walking track markers | |
| Yurmikmik Walks | Open | 4WD recommended | |
| Kambolgie Campground | Open | Camping fees apply | |
| Bukbukluk Lookout | Open | ||
| Gungurul Campground | Open | Camping fees apply | |
| Gungurul Lookout and River Walk | Open | ||
| Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin) gorge | Open | Permit required | Open since 3 July 2020 |
| Guratba/Gimbat Day Use Area | Open | 4WD essential | Open since 3 July 2020 |
| Igoymarrwa (Ikoymarrawa) Rock Holes | Open | 4WD essential | |
| Giyamungkurr (Black Jungle Springs) | Closed | ||
Steps to opening a site
At the end of the wet season, there are typically four 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 | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site temporarily closed | Closed | Site closed due to events beyond Kakadu's control. For example: flooding, bushfires, roadworks or extreme weather. | 0% complete |
| Preliminary site assessment | Closed | Inspect the site and plan upcoming works. Takes one day to complete. | 5% complete |
| Site maintenance works | Closed | Initial cleanup, road repairs, early dry season burning, feral animal and weed control. Takes one to three weeks. | 30% complete |
| Site cleanup | Closed | Cleaning and maintenance of visitor facilities, walking tracks and signage. Takes two weeks. | 60% complete |
| Crocodile trapping and surveys | Closed | Crocodile trap installation and monitoring. Takes two weeks. | 75% complete |
| Infrastructure installation | Closed | Followed by Park Manager approval and site opening. | 90% complete |
| Open, but beware of risks | Open (!) | Possible risks include: road conditions, fire management and ongoing maintenance work. | 100% complete |
| Site open | Open | Conditions are good. Any site specific advice will be noted. | 100% complete |
More information
For more information about Kakadu National Park, contact the Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 8938 1120.
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