Bird in wetlands near the Yellow River.

©Chris Chen/Lonely Planet

Kakadu National Park

There is more than a national park at Kakadu; this place is also a vibrant, living acknowledgement of the elemental link between the Aboriginal custodians, the Bininj/Mungguy, and the country they have nurtured, endured and respected for thousands of generations. Encompassing almost 20,000 sq km (about 200km north–south and 100km east–west), it holds within its boundaries a spectacular ecosystem, periodically scorched and flooded, and mind-blowing ancient rock art.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Ubirr

    Ubirr

    Kakadu National Park

    It takes a lot more than the busloads of visitors to disturb Ubirr's inherent majesty and grace. Layers of rock-art paintings, in various styles and from…

  • Cahill's Crossing

    Cahill's Crossing

    Kakadu National Park

    It may be small, but there can be few more dramatic frontiers in Australia. This shallow causeway, which is impassable when the tide's in, crosses the…

  • Maguk

    Maguk

    Kakadu National Park

    Though it's unlikely you'll have dreamy Maguk to yourself, you might time it right to have the glorious natural pool and falls between just a few of you…

  • Gunlom

    Gunlom

    Kakadu National Park

    Gunlom is a superb escarpment waterfall 40-odd kilometres south of Maguk and 37km along an unsealed, though well-graded, gravel road. The reward is a…

  • Nardab Lookout

    Nardab Lookout

    Kakadu National Park

    The magnificent Nardab Lookout is a 250m scramble from the main Ubirr rock-art gallery. Surveying the billiard-table-green floodplain and watching the sun…

  • Nourlangie Area

    Nourlangie Area

    Kakadu National Park

    The sight of this looming outlier of the Arnhem Land escarpment makes it easy to understand its ancient importance to Aboriginal people. Its long, red…

  • Jim Jim Falls

    Jim Jim Falls

    Kakadu National Park

    A sheer 215m drop, Jim Jim is awesome after rain (when it can only be seen from the air), but its waters shrink to a trickle by about June.

  • Twin Falls

    Twin Falls

    Kakadu National Park

    Twin Falls flows year-round (no swimming), but half the fun is getting here, involving a little boat trip (adult/child $15/free, 7.30am-5pm, last boat 4pm…

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