Kakadu in Gudjewg | December to March
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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.
Some of our favourite places to visit during Gudjewg are listed below.
To plan your trip:
- Consider the list of seasonal highlights below. Click through for maps and more information
- Check our daily access report at kakadu.com.au/access to make sure your favourite areas are accessible (it's a good idea to check it on the day you travel too)
- For more detailed advice call our helpful staff at Bowali Visitor Centre on 08 8938 1120 or email kakadunationalpark@environment.gov.au
- Have a great trip! Jump on our Facebook page (facebook.com/parksaustralia) or catch us on Twitter (twitter.com/#!/Parks_Australia) to tell us how you went
Tour options
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.
Board a scenic flight to view Jim Jim and Twin Falls in full flow; take an exclusive Guluyambi boat tour to Ubirr with an Indigenous guide via 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.
South Alligator region
Gungarre Rainforest Walk - 2WD accessible. A 3.6 km walk leads you through monsoon rainforest and open woodland to a small year round pontoon that takes you out onto Anggardabal Billabong. Here you can enjoy an iconic Kakadu wetland up close at this fabulous time of the year.
Jabiru region
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 4 km 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
The attractions in this region are often inaccessible by road during the monsoon season (December to March) due to high water levels over the road at the 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. Contact Bowali Visitor Centre for advice on 08 8938 1120 or by emailing kakadunationalpark@environment.gov.au.
Boat cruise - If water levels are high enough, you can board a Guluyambi boat cruise along the flooded Magela Creek. Float through the flooded paperbark forest with an Aboriginal guide, and see Ubirr and its ancient rock art galleries with barely any other visitors once flooding cuts off access by road.
Ubirr - Road access depends on the depth of Magela Creek. Check the daily road report for the latest conditions. A 1 km circuit winds past several fascinating Aboriginal rock art sites. A moderately steep, 250 m 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
Mirrai Lookout Walk - 2WD accessible. A moderately steep 1.8 km return walk to a lookout offers a 360 degree view of the park's centre.
Nangaluwurr Art Site - 2WD with care. A 3.4 km return walk takes you to another stunning rock art gallery.
Burrungui (Nourlangie Rock) Art Site - 2WD accessible. A 1.5 km 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 600 m return climb up a moderately steep, rock face slope leads to a very special point to view the sunset.
Gubara Pools Walk - 2WD high clearance with care. An easy to moderate 6 km 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.
Barrk Sandstone Walk - 2WD accessible. A challenging 12 km circuit walk taking you over the top of 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
Yellow Water Wetlands - 2WD accessible. See birds, water lilies and crocodiles in a pristine wetland environment.
Boat cruise - The Yellow Water boat cruise operates throughout the year and provides a marvellous opportunity to see the varied birdlife of Kakadu's World Heritage wetlands.
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.
Gungardun Walk - 2WD accessible. An easy 2 km circuit walk passes through eucalypt woodlands.
Boulder Creek on the Yurmikmik Walks | Michael Whitehead
Mary river region
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 2 km to 11 km in length. The Boulder Creek walk is especially lovely, with a quick 2 km 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 4 km 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 400 m return walk to a lookout with views over the old Goodpala Station.
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.
