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
As visitor safety is our top priority, we are advising visitors and operators of anticipated site closure dates for 2023.
Please note extreme heat or other conditions may require visitor sites to be closed earlier. We will provide further updates as the season progresses and will aim to provide as much notice about site closures as possible.
Visitor site/area closures:
Cahills Crossing closed.
Merl campground closed.
Mardukal campground one closed.
Mardukal billabong walk closed.
Jim Jim billabong ,campground and boat ramp closed.
Sandy Billabong closed.
Anbangbang Billabong closed.
Camping and bushwalking permits
Camping and bushwalking permit applications for the 2024 dry season will open on 01 February 2024.
Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Please be advised that as of 1st November Warradjan will be transitioning to the wet season operating hours 10:00 – 16:00.
These times will be in place until 28th March 2024.
The N.T. Parks Pass is not valid in Kakadu National Park.
Please purchase your Kakadu Park Pass online here or visit the Bowali Visitor Centre.
There is no shop or fuel at Mary River Roadhouse. The nearest fuel is available at Pine Creek, Cooinda or Jabiru.
| Visitor site | Status | Comments | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main roads | |||
| Arnhem Highway | Open | ||
| Kakadu Highway | Open | ||
| Old Jim Jim Road | Closed | Seasonal closure 11/12/2023 | |
| South Alligator region | |||
| South Alligator boat ramp and picnic area | Open | ||
| Mamukala wetlands | Open | ||
| Kungarre walk | Closed | ||
| Red Lily Billabong (Djunda) | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Bucket Billabong (Ngarrababa) | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Alligator Billabong (Gurdurunguranjdju) | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Two Mile Hole Billabong | Closed | Seasonal Closure | |
| Four Mile Hole Billabong | Closed | Seasonal Closure | |
| Waldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head) | Closed | Closed for remediation works | |
| Jabiru region | |||
| Bowali Visitor Centre | Open | ||
| Bowali track | Open | ||
| Yilikadjarr walk | Closed | ||
| Malabanjbanjdju campground | Open | ||
| Burdulba campground | Open | ||
| East Alligator region | |||
| Ubirr rock art site | Open | ||
| Oenpelli Road (at Magela Creek) | Open | ||
| Cahills Crossing | Closed | ||
| Manngarre rainforest walk | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Bardedjilidji walk | Open | ||
| Badbong Wodjmeng sandstone river walk | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Merl campground | Closed | Seasonal closure 10/12/2023 | |
| Upstream boat ramp | Open | 4WD essential | |
| Downstream boat ramp | Open | 4WD essential | |
| Burrungkuy region | |||
| Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site | Open | ||
| Nawurlandja lookout walk | Open | ||
| Anbangbang Billabong walk | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Kubara pools walk (Gubara pools walk) | Open | ||
| Nanguluwurr art site walk | Open | ||
| Barrk sandstone walk | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Djarradjin (Muirella Park) campground | Open | Open since 21 November 2023 | |
| Sandy Billabong (Djirrilba) campground | Closed | Seasonal closure 9/12/2023 | |
| Bubba wetlands walk | Closed | Closed until further notice | |
| Mirray (Mirrai) lookout walk | Open | All year access | |
| Yellow Water region | |||
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boardwalk | Open | ||
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boat Cruise | Open | Contact reservations@yellowwater.com.au for departure details and to book | |
| Yellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) boat ramp | Open | ||
| Home Billabong boat ramp | Open | 4x4 access | |
| Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre | Open | Opening hours 10.00am to 4.00pm | |
| Mardukal (Mardugal) campground one (caravans) | Closed | seasonal closure 11/12/2023 | |
| Mardukal (Mardugal) campground two (tents) | Open | ||
| Mardukal (Mardugal) Billabong walk | Closed | seasonal closure 11/12/2023 | |
| Mardukal Billabong boat ramp | Closed | seasonal closure 11/12/2023 | |
| Kungardun (Gungardun) walk | Open | ||
| Jim Jim Billabong (Djim Djim Anlabbarl) campground | Closed | seasonal closure 11/12/2023 | |
| Jim Jim Billabong boat ramp | Closed | seasonal closure 11/12/2023 | |
| Jim Jim and Twin Falls region | |||
| Karnamarr (Garnamarr) campground | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Budjmi lookout walk | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Jim Jim Falls (Barrkmallam) | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Barrk Marlam walk | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Twin Falls gorge | Closed | Closed until further notice for infrastructure upgrades | |
| Twin Falls plateau (escarpment) walk | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge) | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Mary River region | |||
| Gunlom | Closed | Closed until further notice | |
| Maguk | Closed | Seasonal closure | Forecast to open early June |
| Yurmikmik walks | Open | ||
| Kambolgie campground | Open | ||
| Bukbukluk lookout | Open | ||
| Gungurul campground | Open | ||
| Gungurul lookout and river walk | Open | ||
| Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Guratba/Gimbat day use area | Closed | Seasonal closure | |
| Igoymarrwa (Ikoymarrawa) rock holes | Open | 4WD essential. Camping prohibited | |
| Giyamungkurr (Black Jungle Springs) | Open | ||
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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