Kakadu National Park

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 100% complete 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 0% complete
Preliminary site assessment Closed Inspect the site and plan upcoming works. Takes one day to complete. 5% 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 30% complete
Site cleanup Closed Cleaning and maintenance of visitor facilities, walking tracks and signage. Takes two weeks. 60% complete 60% complete
Crocodile trapping and surveys Closed Crocodile trap installation and monitoring. Takes two weeks. 75% complete 75% complete
Infrastructure installation Closed Followed by Park Manager approval and site opening. 90% complete 90% complete
Open, but beware of risks Open (!) Possible risks include: road conditions, fire management and ongoing maintenance work. 100% complete 100% complete
Site open Open Conditions are good. Any site specific advice will be noted. 100% complete 100% complete

More information

For more information about Kakadu National Park, contact the Bowali Visitor Centre on (08) 8938 1120.