Bushwalks & Nature Trails in Kakadu National Park

Most folks have heard of Kakadu National Park — that sprawling Top End wilderness in the Northern Territory renowned for its Aboriginal rock art, saltwater crocodiles, and sprawling stone country. But ask about its bushwalks and nature trails, and you might get a shrug. That’s a shame, because Kakadu’s walking tracks reveal a whole different side of this vast park — panoramic views, monsoon forests, remote gorges, and cultural heritage sites that’ll stick with you long after you’ve packed up your boots.
If you’re keen for an active experience with a mix of stunning waterfalls, plunge pools, and ancient rock art galleries, Kakadu’s tracks deliver in spades. From the dramatic cliffs of Nourlangie Rock and Ubirr Rocks to the peaceful waters of Yellow Water Billabong and Jim Jim Falls plunge pool, there’s a trail and a tale for every kind of traveller.

Walkabout Begins

When you lace up your boots in Kakadu, you’re stepping into more than just a national park — you’re stepping into Country. Every trail here tells a story older than time itself. From ochre-stained Aboriginal rock art to monsoon-fed waterfalls and plunge pools, the tracks here offer something rare: a walkabout that speaks. Kakadu NP isn’t the place for glammed-up selfies and avo toast. It’s the place for red dust underfoot, green ants on the gums, black cockatoos in the treetops, and the kind of quiet that gets inside your bones. It’s a place that rewards those who go the long way — sometimes uphill through stone country, sometimes barefoot in a natural pool — but always with something real. So if you’re ready for a proper walkabout, one that humbles and inspires in equal measure, here’s where to go and what to expect.

The Lay of the Land

Walking in Kakadu is like flipping through the oldest book in Australia. The terrain changes from floodplain to escarpment, monsoon rainforest to savannah and sandstone country all in one walk. You’ll cross creeks, climb stone stairways and duck under monsoon vine forest.
Tracks range from short, sealed paths to full-day scrambles, with steep climbs and challenging walks through many different landscapes. You’ll be on cultural heritage and ancestral land, surrounded by stunning rock formations and wildlife including emerald doves, magpie geese, spangled drongos and black-necked storks. Expect:
High humidity in the tropical summer and build-up (Oct–Dec)
Flooded or closed tracks in the wet season (Jan–Apr)
Cooler months with the best walking conditions in the dry (May–Sep)
Remote gorges and ancient rock art sites only open at certain times

Top Bushwalks & Nature Trails

Here are the tracks I keep coming back to — not because they’re easy, but because they’re unforgettable. Many are featured in Trail Hiking Australia and are known for their amazing views and active experiences.

Nawurlandja Lookout Walk

Distance: 600 m return
Time: 30 mins
Grade: Moderate
Region: Burrungkuy (Nourlangie Region)
Highlight: Sunset views over Anbangbang Billabong and the Arnhem escarpment

This is your front-row seat to Stone Country. The path up is short but steep, and the reward is a breeze-whipped perch overlooking Kakadu’s big sky country. Late afternoon light paints the landscape golden.

Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock Art Walks

Distance: 1.5 km loop
Time: 45 mins
Grade: Easy
Region: Burrungkuy
Highlight: Ancient Aboriginal rock art and Anbangbang Shelter

Here, stories are painted not on pages, but on stone. The rock art dates back thousands of years and is a window into Bininj culture. Nourlangie Rock is a celebrated example of indigenous rock art galleries. Interpretive signs help you understand what you’re seeing.

Mirray Lookout Walk

Distance: 3.6 km return
Time: 1.5 hrs
Grade: Moderate
Region: Central Kakadu
Highlight: Views without the crowds

A marked trail through sandstone and monsoon forest. A steady climb rewards you with a stunning lookout and panoramic views. Often quiet, even in the dry.

Gubara Pools Walk

Distance: 6 km return
Time: 2 hrs
Grade: Moderate
Region: Burrungkuy
Highlight: Shady monsoon forest and seasonal pools

Start early. It gets hot fast. This walk takes you through stone country and into a lush monsoon vine forest. In the dry season, natural pools appear like a mirage. Great for birdwatching — you might even spot emerald doves.

Barrk Sandstone Bushwalk (Burrungkuy)

Distance: 12 km loop
Time: 5–6 hrs
Grade: Difficult
Region: Burrungkuy
Highlight: Big country views and fewer tourists

You’ll need to be fairly fit for this one. The trail goes up into the escarpment and offers views and solitude. Challenging. Take plenty of water, a map and let someone know your plans.

Twin Falls Plateau Walk (dry season only)

Distance: 6 km return
Time: 2.5 hrs
Grade: Moderate to difficult
Region: South East Alligator
Highlight: Escarpment-top views and seasonal falls

4WD and creek crossing required (check croc safety updates). The trail goes to the plateau above Twin Falls Gorge. One of the only places you’ll get an overhead view of this landscape.

Jim Jim Falls Plunge Pool Walk

Distance: 2 km return
Time: 1–2 hrs
Grade: Moderate
Region: South Kakadu
Highlight: Towering cliffs and a cold plunge pool

Scramble over boulders to the plunge pool at the base of Jim Jim Falls (aka Jim Falls). A real adventure. Bring your litre of water and take care — signage and emergency contact details are at the car park.

Yurmikmik Walks (southern Kakadu)

Distance: Varies (1 km to 14 km options)
Time: 30 mins to 6 hrs
Grade: Easy to difficult
Region: Mary River region
Highlight: Waterfalls, creeks and escarpment views

Yurmikmik isn’t one walk, it’s a network. Boulder Creek Falls, Waterfall Creek Falls and Motorcar Falls offer different walking routes depending on the season. Best early in the wet season. Swimming holes galore.

A Few Tracks Off the Tourist Trail

Graveside Gorge (permit required): Remote and rugged with proper escarpment drama.
Ikoymarrwa (Moline Rockhole): Less visited and good for a quiet splash.
Motorcar Falls: Only open early wet season — when all other tracks are closed.

What to Pack: The Bushwalker’s Checklist

3L of water per person (min)
Hat and sunblock (it’s brutal out there)
Insect repellent (the mozzies here are crazy)
Decent boots with ankle support
Topo map and compass (or a GPS that won’t fail you)
Long sleeves for sun and scratch protection
PLB or sat phone if you’re going remote
Permit if you’re walking in restricted areas
Emergency call devices and emergency contact details
Lightweight gear if staying in safari-style tents or stretcher beds under a canvas roof

Cultural Protocols and Croc-Wise Walking

Respecting the Country means walking with more than just your feet. Follow signs. If a track is closed, there’s a reason — whether it’s cultural business or flood season. Don’t enter sacred sites uninvited.

Be croc-wise:

Don’t swim where it’s not signed safe
Keep five metres from the water’s edge
Don’t dangle your feet or clean fish near the banks
Obey all signs and rangers
Be especially careful around Cahills Crossing and Yellow Water

Best Time to Bushwalk

Dry Season (May to Sep): Best for walking. Wildlife cruise on Yellow Water Billabong runs daily. Scenic flight options available.
Build-Up (Oct to Dec): Hot and humid. Some tracks closed. Good for short walks and cultural tours.
Wet Season (Jan to Apr): Tracks often flooded, but Motorcar Falls is open. Access and drive time varies.

Allow some time for driving between walks — Kakadu’s 20,000 square kilometres can be bigger than you think.

Travellers’ Stories

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