Day trips from Darwin to Kakadu

There are plenty of day trips you can do from Darwin. A day trip from Darwin to Kakadu is a must to see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Kakadu is three hours from Darwin on Nature’s Way tourism drive.

Walkthrough Ancient Shelters

Take the 1.5 km circular walk through what was the wet season home for generations of Aboriginal people. Wander past the large rock shelter and lookouts. Visit Australia’s most outstanding Aboriginal rock art sites that show ancient connections between the people and their land. 

Aboriginal Rock Art at Ubirr

Wander around Ubirr the other of Kakadu’s stunning Aboriginal rock art sites. Experience the different art styles Kakadu is famous for. See x-ray paintings that show the abundant bush food in the area, such as fish, waterfowl, mussels, wallabies, goannas, echidnas, and yams. 

Cruise Yellow Water Billabong

Watch the sunrise or set on an award-winning Yellow Water Billabong cruise near Cooinda (operates year-round). Home to one-third of Australia’s bird species. Visiting Yellow Water with its bird song is a must-do in Kakadu. You’ll also see crocodiles, wallabies, wild horses and buffalo that live around the lily-covered billabongs. 

Swim at the Gunlom plunge pool

Plan a swim at Gunlom, a clear rock pool high on the Kakadu escarpment. Made famous in the 1986 movie ‘Crocodile Dundee’. Take the 2km return walk to the infinity-edge plunge pool at the top of the falls and feel as though you’re swimming on the edge of the earth.  

Four-wheel drive to Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge)

Join a tour or jump in a high-clearance four-wheel drive to explore one of Kakadu’s least-visited attractions. Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) in the south-east corner of the Park. 

Swim in plunge pools at Maguk

Walkthrough monsoon rainforest and slip into the crystal-clear rock pools at Maguk (also called Barramundi Gorge). This is a secluded natural swimming hole in Kakadu’s stone country in the southern end of the Park. 

Kakadu Walking trails

Select from more than 30 established walking trails throughout Kakadu. Choose from short, easy strolls to challenging multi-day treks. Roam the world-class rock art sites, climb to the top of waterfalls and plunge pools. Hike along escarpments or spot birds and wildlife on a stroll around a billabong. 

Watch birds at Mamukala wetlands

Take the easy walk to an observation platform hidden in the paperbarks at the Mamukala wetlands, one of Kakadu’s best bird-watching spots (30km from Jabiru).

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