Gunlom Falls: popular Kakadu site reopens after 6-year closure

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
hero media
One of Kakadu’s most renowned landmarks has reopened after being closed for nearly six years due to a legal battle.

Gunlom Falls is the crown jewel of Kakadu National Park. This culturally significant and visually exquisite site has drawn in locals and visitors for its cascading 85-metre-tall waterfall and breathtaking pools. The top natural infinity pool offers spectacular views across Kakadu National Park while the bottom pool allows you to swim in the pristine water beneath the cascading waterfall, surrounded by a tranquil sandy beach.

In 2019, the site closed and visitors haven’t been able to take a dip in the pristine pools or take photos at the site featured in the 1986 cult classic Crocodile Dundee since. Until now. The magnificent falls reopened to the public on 4 July 2025. 

Kakadu-born and owner of Lord Safaris, Sab Lord, has over 30 years of experience running private tours across Australia’s Top End. He collaborates with local Aboriginal guides and emphasises the importance of visiting the area for both locals and overseas visitors who want to explore its rich culture and natural beauty. “Normally, Gunlom Falls is always on my private itineraries because it’s such a beautiful location. It’s one of the most unique and exciting places to visit in Kakadu," he said.

It’s also an important cultural site for the local Jawoyn people. Ryan Barrowei, Senior Traditional Owner and Chair of Kakadu National Park Board of Management, highlighted the importance of the area, stating:

“Gunlom is an important place for Jawoyn. This land holds stories about our culture, law, and our history. It is just as important for Jawoyn today as it was in Buwurr times (the Dreamtime). Our most powerful Ancestors, Bulajang, still reside on Jawoyn Country today. According to the Traditional Owners, Bulla – a spirit so powerful, they compare it to Armageddon – rests at Gunlom Falls, at the base of sickness country."

According to the Traditional Owners, Bulla – a spirit so powerful, they compare it to Armageddon – rests at Gunlom Falls.

Gunlom Falls Kakadu National Park
Gunlom Falls is a place of spiritual significance and natural beauty. (Image: Lords Safaris)

Why was Gunlom Falls closed?

In 2019, construction was undertaken for a realignment of a walking track by Parks Australia. The track was designed to improve access and safety for visitors to the iconic top pools of Gunlom Falls, but in doing so, it exposed a sacred Jawoyn men’s site to the public and damaged the area. The area was closed at the request of the Traditional Owners.

Plans for the walkway’s design deviated from what was approved by the Traditional Owners and were conducted without obtaining an authority certificate under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act 1989 (NT). The Act is integral for the protection of Aboriginal culture and heritage in the Northern Territory, which prohibits a “person" from carrying out work on or using a “sacred site" without authority.  The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) charged the Director of National Parks (DNP) with an offence under the Act, which resulted in the matter going to court. 

Gunlom Falls Kakadu National Park
The sunset reflected in the water of the top pool. (Image: Tourism Australia)

In September 2022, the Full Court of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory rejected the case, ruling at the time that the DNP was immune from liability over sacred site damage. In 2023, the AAPA successfully appealed the decision in the High Court, and the current DNP pleaded guilty. The current DNP, Djungan man Ricky Archer, is the first Indigenous person to hold this position, and while the damage occurred before his tenure, he apologised to the Traditional Owners. In 2024, a unanimous decision by the Full Court of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory resulted in a $200,000 fine for the damage. 

This case highlights the importance of acknowledging Aboriginal land rights and serves as a reminder to travellers to be respectful when visiting sacred sites. Matthew Ryan, NLC Chair, said in a powerful statement at last year’s hearing, “AAPA and the Traditional Owners have worked really hard over the last five years to recognise Gunlom as a sacred place. Now we can all look to the future of caring for this incredible place."

Gunlom Falls Kakadu National Park
Enjoy refreshing dips and breathtaking views. (Image: Lords Safaris)

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

When is the best time to visit Gunlom Falls?

The best time to visit Gunlom Falls is in the dry season (May to October) which affords better hiking conditions, minimal flooding, and clear, calm waters. According to Sab, the area has very few mosquitoes and is slightly cooler due to its distance from the coastal region, with temperatures being a couple of degrees lower.

Gunlom Falls Kakadu National Park
Gunlom Falls is projected to reopen in the dry season. (Image: Tourism Australia)

How to get to Gunlom Falls

Visitors can drive from Darwin, which takes approximately three hours via the Stuart and Arnhem highways. If you prefer not to do a self-drive or would like a more in-depth experience, tours like those created by Sab are a great way to gain greater insight into the area and its history and cultural significance and hearing directly from First Nations people. The nearest accommodation is approximately a two-hour drive away at Cooinda Lodge, so the nearby public campground, which is equipped with hot showers and flushing toilets, is a popular choice.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
View profile and articles
sunset at Ubirr
Kakadu

A must-read guide to camping in Kakadu

Camping in Kakadu National Park is guaranteed to be a thousand-star experience.

Read more
cooinda lodge
Kakadu

The best Kakadu accommodation for all budgets

Going wild doesn’t have to mean roughing it. Here are all the best accommodation options in and around Kakadu.

Read more
twin falls northern territory
Kakadu

5 breathtaking waterfalls in Kakadu National Park

Visiting the incredible waterfalls in Kakadu National Park is a highlight of the Northern Territory. These are five of the best.

Read more
a road trip to Kakadu
Kakadu

How to road trip Kakadu and itineraries for visiting

There’s no shortage of great tours on offer, but to road trip Kakadu via a do-it-yourself driving adventure? That’s pretty hard to beat.

Read more
hero media

8 reasons why the low season is the best time to explore the Northern Territory

Credit: Tourism and Events NT

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
    Continue
    September to April in the Northern Territory rewards those who seek adventure.

    Sure, the Northern Territory shines during the high season, but did you know it transforms into lush magnificence in the summer low season? From September to April, hundreds of waterfalls roar into action, vegetation flourishes and natural pools swell, all thanks to spectacular storms. This is when some of the country’s best arts and cultural events hit the calendar, too.

    Travelling at this time of year means you’ll also be rewarded with off-peak travel pricing on accommodation, tours and experiences, and can even enjoy many of the top sites all to yourself.

    1. Kings Canyon is transformed

    A woman reaching out to touch a natural waterhole at Kings Canyon during the best time to explore the NT.
    See Kings Canyon at its most spectacular. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)

    Kings Canyon’s towering sandstone domes and crevasses are a sight to behold year-round, but during the low season you can witness a rare phenomenon. This ancient outback wonder’s arid landscape bursts to life when it rains, temporarily transforming it with waterfalls that thunder down the cliffs. At the base of the canyon is the verdant Garden of Eden and its permanent watering hole.

    2. John Hayes Rockhole is a natural wonder

    Two women hiking to John Hayes Rockhole, one of the unforgettable experiences during the best time to explore the NT.
    Hike to a desert oasis. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)

    Hidden in the Trephina Gorge Nature Park in the East MacDonnell Ranges, John Hayes Rockhole is an oasis waiting to be discovered. Visit the narrow canyon during the high season, and you may see only a sandy creekbed, but after rain in the low season the pool is full of cool water. It’s accessible via a 4WD-only track off the Ross Highway, or you can set out early and join the nine-kilometre Trephina Ridgetop Walk. The reward for undertaking the hike is worth every step, and there’s a dedicated, tent-only campground for those who’d like to soak up the serenity overnight.

    3. The Red Centre Light Trail shines bright

    A woman admiring The Light Towers, one of the must-see attractions during the best time to explore the NT.
    Watch the Outback light up after sunset. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)

    The Red Centre’s rich cultural heritage and lack of light pollution make it the ideal setting for immersive light shows, and you can experience the most iconic ones on an epic six-day road trip in April. Witness the Parrtjima cultural festival in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) before heading to Kings Canyon for Bruce Munro’s Light-Towers, where 69 glowing towers shine to a celestial soundscape. At Uluṟu, Munro’s Field of Light blankets the red soil with glowing frosted-glass stems, and the Wintijiri Wiru drone show lights up the sky in front of the sacred cultural site. Along the way you’ll witness the changing landscapes of the desert from the West MacDonnell Ranges to the Valley of the Winds.

    4. The Parrtjima festival lights up the Red Centre

    Festival lights illuminating the Northern Territory, showing why the best time to explore the NT is during festival season.
    Witness the magic of Parrtjima. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)

    For 10 days every April, the Red Centre turns into a dazzling display of colour for the Parrtjima festival. Held at Alice Springs Desert Park, the unmissable celebration shines a spotlight on the world’s oldest living culture using modern technology. Artworks by local Aboriginal artists are transformed into large-scale illuminated installations with accompanying soundscapes, offering a unique opportunity to see the spectacular sunburnt landscapes, night skies and 300-million-year-old West MacDonnell Ranges in a new light. The jam-packed line-up of art and cultural events also includes workshops, markets, short films, talks and live music.

    5. Cruising along Nitmiluk Gorge is breathtaking

    Aerial view of Nitmiluk Gorge, showcasing its dramatic cliffs and waterways.
    Sail between towering sandstone cliffs. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Nic Morley)

    Drifting down the emerald waters of Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge between towering red sandstone cliffs carved over millions of years, all while waterfalls stream down around you, is an experience like none other. Nitmiluk Katherine’s two-hour NitNit Dreaming Two Gorge Tour sails through gorges past ancient rock art while a local guide imparts knowledge about the Jawoyn culture and significance of the landscape.

    6. You can explore local culture on the Tiwi Islands

    A quick boat ride from Darwin lies the peculiarly pink shores of Melville Island, Tiwi Islands. Populated by the hilariously cheeky Indigenous Tiwis, stepping onto the Islands is like stepping back in time. Sweeping rusty dirt roads meander through the eucalypt forest and are interspersed only by small communities and freshwater springs.
    Immerse yourself in Tiwi culture. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Elise Cook)

    Take an 80-kilometre ferry ride from Darwin to arrive at the Tiwi Islands, an archipelago of 11 picturesque islands and a haven for art lovers and anglers. On the Tiwi By Design walking tour you’ll be guided to the Tiwi Design Art Centre, one of Australia’s oldest art centres, to observe local artists in action and join a screen printing workshop.

    If you’re more partial to sinking a line, book a stay at Tiwi Island Retreat in April. It’s one of the best months to fish for barramundi, and their world-class fishing adventures are your best chance at reeling in a prized catch.

    7. Scenic flights over Kakadu’s waterfalls are jaw-dropping

    Jim Jim Falls from above during a wet season helicopter tour. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu National Park is teeming with wildlife, home to important Aboriginal rock art sites, and takes in diverse and exotic landscape.
    Soar above Jim Jim Falls. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Jarrad Seng)

    Seeing Kakadu National Park’s gushing waterfalls and dramatic escarpments from above offers a dose of unparalleled beauty – and it’s all best witnessed in the low season.

    Taking flight from Darwin, Kakadu Air Services offers an unforgettable experience, with doorless helicopters revealing unobstructed views of the 1.8-billion-year-old landscape. Soar above the untouched savannah that turns into a tropical green paradise, marvel at the thunderous Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls, and whiz through ancient sandstone canyons. If you’re lucky, the scenery will look all the more dramatic with rolling tropical storm clouds in the distance.

    8. Litchfield National Park is an amazing place to cool off

    Litchfield National Park
    Dive into natural swimming holes. (Image: Tourism NT/Joshua Griffen)

    Litchfield National Park is peppered with stunning natural swimming pools for you to beat the heat in. Take a refreshing dip in pristine, crocodile-free spots such as Buley Rockhole, a series of spring-fed cascading pools, and the nearby Florence Falls, which is enveloped by monsoon rainforest and features a crystal-clear plunge pool fed by a 15-metre-high waterfall. Be sure to check the Northern Territory Parks & Reserves website for closures before you go.

    Start planning your low season adventure of a lifetime at northernterritory.com.