5 of the most breathtaking Kakadu National Park waterfalls

A road trip highlight in the Northern Territory? Visiting the incredible Kakadu National Park waterfalls in all their glory.

The Kakadu National Park waterfalls are the drawcard for many visitors to the Top End. During the wet season, these cascades reach overflow levels, thundering down from colourful rock ledges into deep pools below. By the time the dry season comes around, their flow reduces and access is finally granted thanks to blue skies and the efforts of park rangers to repair damaged access roads after flooding.

Before visiting these natural wonders, it’s important to know how to road trip Kakadu. Some are easily accessible via 2WD-friendly tracks. Others, you’ll need a high clearance 4WD or to join a Kakadu tour. Even with the right vehicle, you’ll need to determine if the walks to the waterfalls are appropriate for your skill level.

Below, find our exhaustive guide to Kakadu National Park waterfalls and everything you need to know before a visit.

1. Maguk

Maguk Falls in Kakadu National Park — Maguk Falls features a plunge pool at the foot of a steep gorge. (Image: Tourism NT)

Access: 4WD only, dry season only

Walk difficulty: Moderate

Once one of the lesser-known Kakadu National Park waterfalls, Maguk has gained popularity among travellers since the closure of Gunlom Falls. They have discovered its crystal waters and arresting gorge cliffs.

This is an easy waterfall to access if you’re staying at Cooinda Lodge, as it’s only an hour’s drive south with a 14km 4WD track off the Kakadu highway. Alternatively, set up camp at Maguk campground.

A moderate 2km return walk will get you to the falls, winding through monsoon rainforests and along the sandy creek edge. Birdwatching enthusiasts will enjoy watching out for rainbow pittas, which inhabit the area.

Follow the marked trailer across the bouldered river to reach the main plunge pool, then while away the hours in its deep waters.

2. Jim Jim Falls

a scenic view of Jim Jim Falls from a Kakadu Scenic Flight — Jim Jim Falls flows from 150-metre-high cliffs. (Image: Tourism NT)

Access: 4WD only, dry season only

Walk Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

Jim Jim Falls is one of the most spectacular Kakadu National Park waterfalls, often seen in films and television thanks to its towering cliff faces surrounding a deep plunge pool with a sandy shore. But it’s also one of the hardest to access.

A 50km 4WD track leads to the falls and is definitely only accessible with a high-clearance vehicle. Expect deep corrugations, single-lane areas and water crossings depending on the time of year you visit.

From the Jim Jim Falls carpark, follow the Jim Jim Plunge Pool Walk. This moderate to difficult walk is only one kilometre but involves boulder climbing and treacherous paths in sections, so even if you are a skilled hiker, allow three hours.

Swimming is allowed during the dry season and is the perfect way to cool off after a strenuous hike.

Alternatively, you can view Jim Jim Falls via the Viewing Pool walk, a moderately strenuous hike that is 800m return and takes around an hour.

3. Twin Falls Gorge

a scenic flight over Twin Falls Gorge, Kakadu National Park — Fly past the magnificent Twin Falls Gorge on a scenic flight. (Image: Tourism NT)

Access: 4WD only with snorkel, dry season only

Walk Difficulty: Moderate to difficult

The drive to Jim Jim Falls is the same road to access Twin Falls Gorge, so make a day of it and visit both of these incredible Kakadu National Park waterfalls. Camping is available at Karnamarr Campground, which is partway along the access road, near the turnoffs for the falls.

Twin Falls Gorge offers two enjoyable options: a walk to the base of the gorge and the Twin Falls plateau walk. At the time of writing, the base walk is closed for an infrastructure upgrade. However, as with all closures in Kakadu National Park, circumstances can change quickly, so be sure to check the Kakadu access report before visiting. When open, the gorge walk is accessible via a shuttle boat, and tickets can be purchased at Bowali Visitor Centre.

For an intensive hike experience, get up early and follow the Twin Falls plateau walk. This 6-kilometre return hike is difficult and for experienced hikers only, winding through monsoon forest and ancient sandstone formations.

Alternatively, follow the easy-to-moderate Budjmi lookout walk. At 1km return, it’s a quick 45 minutes and means you can enjoy the afternoon light playing across the sandstone formations of Twin Falls Gorge.

Note: The Twin Falls Gorge will reopen in 2026. Helicopter tours to see the falls can be booked through Kakadu Air .

4. Gunlom Falls

guy splashing at Gunlom Falls, Kakadu National Park — Swim in one of the pristine pools at Gunlom Falls. (Image: Tourism Australia/Nicholas Kavo)

Access: 2WD (4WD ideal), dry season only

Walk Difficulty: Moderate

Gunlom Falls has been closed to the public since 2019. However, it is set to open in 2025 for the dry season. Made famous thanks to the film Crocodile Dundee, it was one of the most popular Kakadu National Park waterfalls and will likely be busy after its lengthy closure.

Access is via an unsealed 40km road that can technically accommodate 2WD vehicles. However, it can involve deep corrugations and should be considered with care. Check the Kakadu road access report, and if in doubt, don’t attempt this road with a 2WD.

The Gunlom Falls campground, situated right next to the falls, offers hot showers and flushing toilets, making for an idyllic stay.

You can swim in both the gorge and in the pools at the top of Gunlom Falls.

5. Motor Car Falls

Motor Car Falls in Kakadu National Park — The picture-perfect Motor Car Falls is a stunning gem in Kakadu National Park. (Image: Tourism NT/Jarrad Seng)

Access: 2WD, year-round

Walk Difficulty: Moderate

One of the only Kakadu National Park waterfalls you can access during the wet season, Motor Car Falls is definitely a more off-the-beaten-track option if you’re looking for a Kakadu swimming spot that’s less populated.

The road to the falls is 2WD-friendly although unsealed, and open year-round depending on weather conditions. As with all roads in Kakadu National Park, check the access report before venturing out.

To get to Motor Car Falls, you’ll be in for a day trip walk, so pack a picnic lunch and head out early. The walk is part of the Yurmikmik walks, a series of interconnected walking tracks that start from the Yurmikmik car park.

The Motor Car Falls track follows a historic vehicle trail from 1946 when a tin miner explored Kakadu. The moderate track is a 7.5km return, and you should allow for four hours plus any swimming and leisure time at the falls.

A small waterfall, Motor Car Falls is surrounded by monsoon rainforest and is a beautiful, shady spot for a Kakadu adventure.

Looking for more things to do in Kakadu National Park? Photography enthusiasts will love our guide to snapping the sights, and if taking it easy and enjoying the park with a professional guide is more your style, check out the best tours of the area here. The park is full of incredible walks and hikes, so it’s worth reading up on which ones suit your capabilities, too.

Summer transforms the Northern Territory into a lush paradise of colour and life, as a visit during the ‘low-season’ reveals secrets the locals willingly share.

Waterlilies bloom, floodplains are alive with birdlife, waterfalls are gushing, and everywhere the green is dazzling. Summer in the Top End and the Red Centre is a kaleidoscope of unexpected wonders that delight and surprise visitors. Of course, the locals know only too well that the Northern Territory low season is often the best time to see and experience this amazing part of Australia.

Here are some of the reasons why savvy travellers – avoiding the crowds – are discovering a new dimension to the Territory. Remember that you’ll need a Parks Pass to visit national parks.

1. Take a dip in the Florence Falls waterhole

Wander through savanna woodland and monsoon forest to discover the perfect place to cool off – the waterhole at the base of spectacular Florence Falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park , just 90 minutes’ drive from Darwin. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during the summer. Camping is available nearby but bookings are essential and must be made online before you visit.

Surrounded by lush forest, a woman cools off in Florence Falls, just one of many incredible things to do in the Northern Territory. — Cool off beneath the cascading waters of Florence Falls. (Image: Joshua Griffin)

2. Wind down at Buley Rock Hole

Another popular local swimming spot in Litchfield National Park is Buley Rock Hole , open year-round. This is a great place to wind down after exploring everything the park has to offer, including towering termite mounds. Wade through the rock pools, soak up the scenic bush or just lie back and relax as the cool water rolls over you.

Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park — Let the cool water wash over you. (Image: Tourism Australia)

3. Tour the Tiwi Islands

The Tiwi Islands , a scenic 80km flight from Darwin across the narrow Clarence and Dundas Straits, reveal a different side to the Territory, with their own distinctive culture. Take a day tour with Tiwi by Design to visit Bathurst Island and learn about creation stories, the Mission days, World War II history and the islanders’ obsession with AFL!

Take a ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of Tiwi Design’s screen-printing workshop and pick up a great souvenir in the form of art. Choose from contemporary or traditional Tiwi designs and a wide range of work including carvings, paintings, pottery, printmaking, bark paintings and tunga (bark baskets).

A creative moment shared inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing space. — Take a peek inside Tiwi Design’s screen-printing studio. (Image: Tourism NT)

4. Dine in Darwin

Foodies are spoilt for choice in multi-cultural Darwin. Try Sri Lankan flavours at Ella by Minoli, where Masterchef contestant Minoli De Silva creates delectable dishes, or head to Charlie’s of Darwin for gin-tasting, cocktails and more. Bowls of fragrant laksa, excellent coffee, fresh vegetables and authentic crafts are all part of a weekend visit to Darwin’s Parap Markets , Rapid Creek Markets and the Nightcliff Markets .

Prefer to catch your own dinner? Book a Top End fishing charter to bag a barramundi – and from October register for the annual Million Dollar Fish competition. Hooking one of the tagged barra released each year in waterways across the Territory could win you up to $1 million.

A bowl of Laksa. — Eat your way through multicultural Darwin. (Image: Tourism NT)

5. Up close with Uluṟu

The magnificent monolith Uluṟu is even more magical when the summer rains fall. When it rains on The Rock, the locals come out to watch – consider yourself lucky if that happens when you visit. Waterfalls cascading off the sides of Uluṟu is a sight that relatively few tourists see.

There’s so much to do at Uluṟu, from guided walks to learn the stories of the Aṉangu people and the ancient landscape they live in to scenic flights for a bird’s-eye view or a leisurely walk around the base of Uluṟu. Book ahead to spend the evening wandering through the Field of Light installation by Bruce Munro.

A closer look at Uluru and uncover its ancient stories, sacred sites, and striking natural beauty – one of the most iconic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Discover the details that make Uluṟu truly sacred. (Image: Tourism NT)

6. Drive the Red Centre Way

From Alice Springs, take an epic road trip along the Red Centre Way, taking in Uluru and Watarrka National Park, home to the magnificent Kings Canyon. Allow at least a week to drive through the red heart of Australia by 4WD, a little longer on the sealed road by 2WD vehicle, travelling through ochre deserts, palm-lined valleys and dramatic gorges. Stop off at waterholes for a refreshing dip along the way.

Kings Canyon offers hiking options for all levels of fitness, from the three-hour Rim Walk atop soaring sandstone walls to the gentler Kings Creek Walk. Either way, you’ll have breathtaking views.

SEIT Outback Australia is a small group touring specialist offering exciting, adventurous, exclusive and specialised iconic, pioneering and cultural touring in the Red Centre of Australia, giving you the time to learn, absorb and relax in the heart of Australia.<br /><br />This innovative tour company focuses on providing clients with the ultimate interpretive touring experiences with a range of products and customised touring itineraries for small groups and bespoke private charters.<br /><br />The company bases its philosophies from the key words of Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task (SEIT). — Drive through Australia’s heart. (Image: Outback Australia Tours)

7. Take a walk at Kata Tjuṯa

Head out early to tackle the Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuṯa . This natural wonder, also known as The Olgas, is a labyrinth of soaring ochre domes that glow golden at sunrise and sunset (the walk may be closed during the middle of the day as temperatures rise).

Walking trails range from easy to longer, more difficult tracks. At the Kata Tjuṯa dune viewing area, take in the panoramic view of the domes. The longest of the trails is the Valley of the Winds Walk, a 7.4km circuit that winds between the domes and through creek beds. It’s moderately difficult and steep in places, but offers stunning views – and occasional encounters with kangaroos.

The Valley of the Winds Walk at Kata Tjuta is one of the most awe-inspiring things to do in the Northern Territory, especially at sunrise when the domes glow golden. — Step into the golden light of Kata Tjuṯa. (Image: Tourism NT)

8. Explore Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges

Tjoritja/West MacDonnell National Park lies 135km west of Alice Springs, with many fascinating natural features to beguile visitors. The ‘West Macs’ formations include chasms, gorges and waterholes – take your swimsuit for a dip at Ormiston Gorge waterhole, open year-round. The Ormiston Pound Walk is a three to four-hour circuit that leaves from the visitor centre and loops back along the gorge via the main waterhole. Other places of interest in the park include Simpsons Gap , Standley Chasm , Ellery Creek Big Hole and Glen Helen .

Soaking in the serenity of Ormiston Gorge, these two travellers enjoy one of the most scenic things to do in the Northern Territory. — Take the plunge at Ormiston Gorge waterhole. (Image: Joshua Griffin Litchfield)

Start planning the NT road trip of a lifetime at northernterritory.com