Kakadu in the wet season (Gudjewg)
A visit to Kakadu during Gudjewg (monsoon season) offers plenty of sights and sounds rarely experienced during the drier months of the year. The floodplains are full, waterfalls are flowing, native vegetation is vibrant, and dramatic storms and sunsets are common at this time of year.
Plan your itinerary by combining this list of sites that are currently open with the information and maps in your Kakadu National Park Visitor Guide. Print this guide (PDF 86 KB)
South Alligator region
See page 34 of your Kakadu National Park Visitor Guide
Gungarre Rainforest Walk - 2WD accessible. A 3.6km walk leads you through monsoon rainforest and open woodland to a small year round pontoon that takes you out onto Angurrapal Billabong. Here you can enjoy an iconic Kakadu wetland up close at this fabulous time of the year.
Jabiru region
See page 36 of your Kakadu National Park Visitor Guide
Jabiru Township - 2WD accessible. This regional centre is a vital stop for fuel, food and other essential services.
Bowali Visitor Centre (open 8am-5pm daily) - 2WD accessible. This centre contains a wealth of information about Kakadu's natural heritage including plants, animals, history and park management practices. It is also a vital stop for the latest updates on road conditions, wet season access and information about things to see and do.
Jabiru to Bowali Walking Track - 2WD accessible. From Jabiru, enjoy a leisurely 4km return walk on a rammed earth walking track through scenic open woodland on your way to the Bowali Visitor Centre. Here, view a display and films about Kakadu, grab a great coffee and a bite to eat and talk to our helpful staff about what's best to do.
East Alligator region
See page 38 of your Kakadu National Park Visitor Guide
Ubirr Art Site and Cahills Crossing are often inaccessible by road at this time of year due to water levels over the road at Magela Creek. However, during extended periods of low rainfall the road may reopen if water levels drop sufficiently. Check the daily access report for the latest road conditions. If water levels are high enough, boat tours are available which provide access to Ubirr. Contact Bowali Visitor Centre for advice on 08 8938 1120 or by emailing kakadunationalpark@environment.gov.au.
Boat cruises -Take a Guluyambi boat cruise along the flooded Magela Creek, with the option of a rare boat trip to Ubirr and its ancient rock art galleries, or cruise Yellow Water by boat.
Ubirr - road access depends on the depth of Magela Creek. Check the daily road report for the latest conditions. A 1km circuit winds past several fascinating Aboriginal rock art sites. A moderately steep, 250m climb takes you to the top of a rocky lookout offering superb views over the Nadab floodplain. This is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset or to watch tropical thunderheads roll across the sky. When Magela Creek becomes impassable by road due to flooding, Ubirr is only accessible via the Guluyambi boat tour.
Cahills Crossing Viewing Platform - access depends on the depth of Magela Creek. Check the daily road report for the latest conditions. Enjoy views of the East Alligator River in fast flow from the safety of a viewing platform and nearby picnic tables.
Nourlangie region
See page 40 of your Kakadu National Park Visitor Guide
Mirrai Lookout Walk - 2WD accessible. A moderately steep 1.8km return walk to a lookout offers a 360 degree view of the park's centre.
Nangaluwurr Art Site - 2WD with care. A 3.4km return walk takes you to another stunning rock art gallery.
Burrungui (Nourlangie Rock) Art Site - 2WD accessible. A 1.5km return walking track features a series of rock shelters and outstanding art sites with unbeatable views of the surrounding cultural landscape.
Nawurlandja Lookout - 2WD accessible. A 600m return climb up a moderately steep, rock face slope leads to a very special point to view the sunset.
Gubara Rock Pools walk - 2WD high clearance with care. An easy to moderate 6km return walk passes through several habitats in a relatively short distance, all in the presence of Burrungui (Nourlangie Rock). The pools make a great place to refresh, and you may be lucky to see the colourful Leichhardt grasshopper on your way. Ask at Bowali for the best place to stop to see these special creatures.
Sandstone Barrk Walk - 2WD accessible. A challenging 12km circuit walk taking you over the top of Burrungui (Nourlangie Rock) to enjoy a range of habitats and stunning views. An early start is recommended to avoid the heat of the day, and plenty of water is a must.
Yellow water region
See page 42 of your Kakadu National Park Visitor Guide
Yellow Water Wetlands - 2WD accessible. See birds, water lilies and crocodiles in a pristine wetland environment.
Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre - 2WD accessible. Learn about Kakadu's local Indigenous culture including family, food, history, hunting, art and stories through a great cultural display and films.
Gun-gardun Walk - 2WD accessible. An easy 2km circuit walk passes through eucalypt woodlands.
Mary river region
See page 46 of your Kakadu National Park Visitor Guide
Yurmikmik Walks - 4WD only. This series of easy to moderate day walks through open woodlands are the best way to see waterfalls in full flow. Return distances vary from 2km to 11km in length. The boulder creek walk is especially lovely, with a quick 2km 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.
Gungurul Lookout Walk - 2WD accessible. A 4km return walk leads you to a branch of the South Alligator River and up a moderate climb to a lookout with views over the South Alligator Valley.
Bukbukluk Lookout - 2WD accessible. Picnic tables and a 400m return walk to a lookout with views over the old Goodpala Station.
Tour options
See page 29 of your Kakadu National Park Visitor Guide
The wet season is a great time to join a guided tour of the park. Boat tours, scenic flights and guided day trips operate throughout the year. You can enjoy many Kakadu icons at their best.
View Jim Jim and Twin Falls in full flow; take an exclusive tour to Ubirr with an Indigenous guide via a boat tour of the flooded Magela Creek; visit Yellow Water to see wildlife up close and personal and if you're lucky, witness some amazing weather displays, all from the comfort of the cruise boat.
IMPORTANT NOTE Heavy rain and flooding can make parts of Kakadu inaccessible. Before you depart be sure to check the very latest conditions online at kakadu.com.au/access. For more detailed advice call our helpful staff at Bowali Visitor Centre on 08 8938 1120. You can also see our suggested wet season itineraries.
Page information up to date as of 10 February 2012.
