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
- Ubirr and Merl campgrounds are open, but the road remains impassable for two-wheel drive vehicles and 4WD vehicles that do not have high clearance. Experienced drivers in high-clearance vehicles should note that the Oenpelli Road still has 0.6 m of water over it at Magela Creek and S-Bends. Extreme caution must be exercised if attempting the Magela Creek crossing.
- Gunlom is open but a 4WD is recommended.
- Yellow Water Cruises are operating – call (08) 8979 1500 for bookings. The boardwalk and boat ramp remain closed due to high water levels.
- Malabanjbanjdju tent area is open.
- Mardukal and Djarradin (Muirella Park) campgrounds are now open.
- Marrawuddi Gallery and Bowali Cafe are open on Easter Sunday only, closed Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Monday. Regular business hours resume on Tuesday, 23 April.
Seasonal conditions information
- Malabanjbanjdju caravan area and Burdulba campground remain closed due to surrounding high water levels.
- Cahills Crossing is closed due to flooding.
| Visitor site | Status | Comments | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main roads | |||
| Arnhem Highway | Open | ||
| Kakadu Highway | Open | ||
| Old Jim Jim Road | Closed | Road impassable | Forecast to open late May |
| South Alligator region | |||
| South Alligator Boat Ramp and Picnic Area | Open | ||
| Mamukala Wetlands | Open | ||
| Gungarre Walk | Open | ||
| Red Lily Billabong (Djunda) | Closed | Forecast to open early May | |
| Bucket Billabong (Ngarrababa) | Closed | Forecast to open early May | |
| Alligator Billabong (Gurdurunguranjdju) | Closed | Forecast to open early May | |
| Two Mile Hole Billabong | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Four Mile Hole Billabong | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head) | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Jabiru region | |||
| Bowali Visitor Centre | Open | ||
| Bowali Bike and Walking Track | Open (!) | Day use only | Open since 15 April 2019 |
| Illigadjarr Walk | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Malabanjbanjdju Campground (tent area) | Open | Camping fees apply | Open since 5 April 2019 |
| Malabanjbanjdju Campground (caravan area) | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | Forecast to open late April |
| Burdulba Campground | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | Forecast to open late April |
| East Alligator region | |||
| Ubirr rock art site | Open (!) | Currently 4WD access only | Open since 19 April 2019 |
| Oenpelli Road (at Magela Creek) | Closed | Road impassable | Forecast to open late April |
| Cahills Crossing | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | Forecast to open late May |
| Manngarre Rainforest Walk | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Bardedjilidji Walk | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | Forecast to open early May |
| Sandstone and River Bush Walk (Badbong Wodjmeng) | Closed | Extreme temperatures | Forecast to open mid May |
| Merl Campground | Open (!) | Currently 4WD access only | Open since 19 April 2019 |
| Nourlangie region | |||
| Nourlangie (Burrungkuy) rock art site | Open | ||
| Nawurlandja Lookout Walk | Open | ||
| Anbangbang Billabong Walk | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Kubara Walk (Gubara Pools Walk) | Open | ||
| Nanguluwurr Art Site Walk | Open | ||
| Barrk Bush Walk | Open (!) | Day use only | |
| Djarradjin (Muirella Park) Campground | Open | Camping fees apply | Open since 19 April 2019 |
| Sandy Billabong (Djirrilba) Campground | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | Forecast to open late April |
| Bubba Walk | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Mirray (Mirrai) Lookout Walk | Open | ||
| Yellow Water region | |||
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boardwalk | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | Forecast to open late May |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boat Cruise | Open | ||
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boat Ramp | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | Forecast to open early May |
| Home Billabong Walk | Closed | ||
| Home Billabong Boat Ramp | Open | ||
| Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre | Open | ||
| Mardukal (Mardugal) Campground 1 (caravans) | Open | Camping fees apply | Open since 19 April 2019 |
| Mardukal (Mardugal) Campground 2 (tents) | Open | ||
| Mardukal (Mardugal) Billabong Walk | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Kungardun (Gungardun) Walk | Open | ||
| Jim Jim Billabong (Djim Djim Anlabbarl) Campground | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Jim Jim and Twin Falls region | |||
| Jim Jim Falls (Barrkmalam) | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Twin Falls | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Twin Falls Boat Cruise | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Karnamarr (Garnamarr) Campground | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Budjmi Lookout Walk | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Barrkmalam (Barrk Marlam) Bush Walk | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Twin Falls Plateau (Escarpment) Walk | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge) | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Mary River region | |||
| Gunlom | Open | 4WD recommended | |
| Maguk | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Yurmikmik Walks | Open | 4WD recommended | |
| Kambolgie Campground | Open | 4WD recommended | |
| Bukbukluk Lookout | Open | 4WD recommended | |
| Gungurul Campground | Open | ||
| Gungurul Lookout and River Walk | Open | ||
| Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Guratba/Gimbat Day Use Area | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
| Igoymarrwa (Ikoymarrawa) Rock Holes | Open | 4WD essential | |
| Giyamungkurr (Black Jungle Springs) | Closed | Flooded due to wet season | |
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.
Get daily access report updates
Be the first to know about changes. Enter your email address and click "subscribe".
Subscribe to the Kakadu Access Report
Don't get caught out! Subscribe for daily updates below.
When things change, we'll send an updated report straight to your inbox.
