Suggested wet season itineraries

Adventure

Day one (Jabiru, East Alligator and South Alligator regions)

Bowali - Drop in to Bowali for the advice on which parts of the park are accessible (wet season flooding closes a number of areas at this time of year).
Gulyambi River Cruise - Explore the waterways of the East Alligator region with an Aboriginal guide.
This cruise operates on the East Alligator River until the road to Ubirr becomes impassable (generally in December).
In February and March the Guluyambi boat cruise operates on the flooded Magela Creek floodplain, giving people the rare chance to drift through the flooded paperbark forest with an Aboriginal guide. This Magela Creek cruise is the only way to visit Ubirr at this time of year.
Gungarre Walk - Make your way south to the Gungarre Walk, which starts at the big banyan fig tree near the Aurora Kakadu Resort (South Alligator). Check access towards the end of the wet season as flooding eventually closes this walk.
Overnight - You can stay at the Aurora Kakadu Resort (South Alligator) or at one of the caravan parks or hotels in nearby Jabiru.

Day two (Nourlangie and Yellow Water regions)

Scenic flight from Jabiru - see Kakadu's waterfalls in full flow from the air.
Gubara Pools Walk - This six km return walk takes you past sandstone cliffs to shady monsoon forest pools. Allow four hours.
Drop into Cooinda for a swim at the resort pool.
Overnight - The Gagadju Lodge Cooinda is your best bet.

Day three (Yellow Water and Mary River regions)

Yellow Water Wetlands - Time to see some crocodiles! Board a sunrise Yellow Water cruise and get up close to Kakadu's wildlife.
Yurmikmik Walks (4WD only) - In the south of the park, this series of woodland walks are a great way to see waterfalls in full flow. The Boulder Creek Walk is especially lovely, with a quick 2 km circuit leading through a beautiful landscape. On a longer walk to Motorcar falls, enjoy the stunning landscape on the way to the falls and plunge pool.
Visit Bukbukluk Lookout to watch the afternoon storms roll in.
Overnight - Book a room at the Goymarr Tourist Park at the southern entrance to Kakadu.

Kakadu with kids

Day one (South Alligator and Jabiru regions)

Drive from Darwin (Less than three hours)
Gungarre Walk - Stop at the Aurora Kakadu Resort (South Alligator) for a cool drink. You can stretch your legs on the Gungarre Walk which starts from the big banyan fig tree nearby.
Drive on to Jabiru and check in at your accommodation (various caravan park and hotel options).
Swim - Time for a swim! There is a public pool in Jabiru and most of the places to stay in Jabiru have pools. The public can swim at the Aurora Kakadu Resort (South Alligator) for a fee.
Bowali Visitor Centre - At Bowali, sit back with a cool drink at the cafe and watch partridge pigeons wander the surrounding lawns. The kids can explore the visitor centre displays, including a giant crocodile skeleton.
Overnight in Jabiru or the South Alligator region.

Day two (Yellow Water region)

Yellow Water Wetlands - Time to see some crocodiles! Drive south to Yellow Water for a morning boat cruise and get up close to Kakadu's wildlife.
Warradjan Cultural Centre - Escape the heat of the day at the nearby Warradjan Cultural Centre - it has interesting displays for the kids.
Cooinda - Drop into the resort for lunch - the kids will love the playground (and there's a swimming pool!).
Gungardun Walk - Burn off some energy on the nearby Gungardun Walk. It starts near the entrance of the Mardugal Camping Area and features a 2 km circular walk through woodlands. Allow one hour.
Overnight in Jabiru or Cooinda.

Day three (Nourlangie region)

Nourlangie - Explore the Nourlangie Rock area. It has some amazing views, shady walking paths and fascinating rock art galleries (the kids will love the story of Namarrgon, the Lightning Man).
Mirrai Lookout - A moderately steep 1.8 km return walk to a lookout offers a 360 degree view of the park's centre. Allow an hour and a half.
Drop into Cooinda for a meal and a swim at the resort pool. They even have a playground for the kids.

 

Discover Kakadu

Day one (Jabiru, East Alligator and South Alligator regions)

Bowali - Drop in to Bowali for an update on which parts of Kakadu are at their best while you're there.
Gulyambi River Cruise - Explore the waterways of the East Alligator region with an Aboriginal guide.
The cruise operates on the East Alligator River until the road to Ubirr becomes impassable (generally in December).
In February and March the Guluyambi boat cruise operates on the flooded Magela Creek floodplain, giving people the rare chance to drift through the flooded paperbark forest with an Aboriginal guide. This Magela Creek cruise is the only way to visit Ubirr once flooding closes the road.
Gungarre Walk - Make your way south to the Gungarre Walk, which starts at the big banyan fig tree near the Aurora Kakadu Resort (South Alligator). Check access towards the end of the wet season as flooding eventually closes this walk.
Swim - Enjoy a dip at the resort pool, available to the public for a cost.
Overnight - You can stay at the Aurora Kakadu Resort (South Alligator) or at one of the caravan parks or hotels in nearby Jabiru.

Day two (Nourlangie and Yellow Water regions)

Scenic flight from Jabiru - see Kakadu's waterfalls in full flow from the air.
Mirrai Lookout - A moderately steep 1.8 km return walk to a lookout offers a 360 degree view of the park's centre. Allow an hour and a half.
Nourlangie - Discover impressive views, shady walking paths and fascinating rock art galleries.
Warradjan - Explore the displays at the Warradjan Cultural Centre.
Drop into Cooinda for a meal and a swim at the resort pool.
Overnight - The Gagadju Lodge Cooinda is your best bet.

Day three (Yellow Water and Mary River regions)

Yellow Water Wetlands - Take a sunrise cruise on the wetlands to see Kakadu's wildlife at its best.
Yurmikmik Walks (4WD only) - Drive south to explore this series of woodland walks - the best way to see waterfalls up close. Return distances vary from 2 km to 11 km. The Boulder Creek Walk is especially lovely, with a quick 2 km circuit leading through a beautiful landscape. On a longer walk to Motorcar falls, enjoy the stunning landscape on the way to the falls and plunge pool.
Visit Bukbukluk Lookout to watch the afternoon storms roll in.
Overnight - Book a room at the Goymarr Tourist Park at the southern entrance to Kakadu.