What to do and see in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory: The Best Things to do Good for Adrenaline Seekers

June 11, 2021 Janean Rudisill

Discover the best top things to do in Kakadu National Park, Australia including Maguk Gorge, Kakadu Air Scenic Flights, The Scenic Flight Company Kakadu, North Australian Helicopters, Sugarbag Safaris, Jim Jim Falls, Gunlom Waterfall Creek, Yellow Water Fishing, Cahills Crossing, Jumping Crocodile & Wildlife Tours.

1. Maguk Gorge

Barramundi Gorge, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory 0822 Australia +61 8 8938 1120 [email protected] https://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/do/waterfalls/maguk/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 225 reviews

Maguk Gorge

A short monsoon rainforest walk delivers you to this stunning location where lush vegetation and beautiful wildlife is found. A pristine waterfall that flows into a crystal clear plunge pool surrounded by steep gorge walls. Located only an hours' drive south of Cooinda and is accessed off of a 14 kilometre 4WD track off Kakadu Highway.

Reviewed By LozArthur - Darwin, Australia

Maguk is a great place for all sorts of travellers. The swimming hole is absolutely beautiful and great for all ages to have a dip. Highly recommend bringing a noodle or floating device as it's deep throughout the main swimming hole. Water temperature is perfect! There is a track that leads up to the top of the falls but has been closed this dry season. Camping is a simple bush camp with drop toilets. The road in is recommended 4WD but we went slow with our Subaru Outback (AWD) and were fine. Lots of corrugations as the road isn't regularly graded.

2. Kakadu Air Scenic Flights

Excellent
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5.0 based on 402 reviews

Kakadu Air Scenic Flights

Kakadu is spectacular to look at, but immensely more interesting when on a Kakadu Air flight you receive a running commentary about the things you see, and many that you can't. On fixed wing aircraft flights the commentary is researched, recorded and delivered by long term Kakadu experts, via headsets.

3. The Scenic Flight Company Kakadu

Excellent
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5.0 based on 289 reviews

The Scenic Flight Company Kakadu

You haven't truly experienced the vastness and beauty of Kakadu National Park until you've seen it from the air. Our experienced pilots will show you the wonder of this heritage listed area all year round. All passengers get a window seat and live commentary. We are a Territory owned and operated scenic flight company; we live in and love this area. Join us on an air adventure and let us show you the Kakadu you won't see from the ground.

4. North Australian Helicopters

Excellent
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5.0 based on 23 reviews

North Australian Helicopters

Your senses overload as you take in the majesty of Kakadu, taking in incredible views that can on be seen by helicopter. Breathtaking escarpments rush beside and below as you weave through wonderful world heritage listed landscape. Intricate river systems become a living artwork and barren floodplains breathe an explosion of colour as red earth lends with vast green desert grasses. The best way to see Kakadu is from above to really appreciate the size and wonders of this stunning world heritage national Park.Bookings for scenic adventures are made via Kakadu Air, please use the free call number listed at the top of the page.Flights offered are:20 minute Scenic - Magela TourFly east along the Magela River passing Ranger Uranium Mine, before entering the lush Magela Valley. See the most spectacular and inaccessible country Kakadu has to offer, including amazing stone formations and the breathtaking Magela Falls (Wet Season Only) and gorges clad in the monsoonal rainforest.30 minute Scenic - East Alligator and Floodplains TourTake in the wonders of the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park including Mikinj Valley, East Alligator River and Magela Wetlands. First views of the Rock Archway will bring to life the ancient beauty of this land. Journey back in time as you follow the East Alligator River’s gorge into the Mekinj valley of Arnhemland. Learn about Australia's oldest living culture as you hear stores of Indigenous traditions, history and dreamtime.45 minute Scenic - East Alligator SpectacularTake in the amazing views while following the East Alligator River Gorge to the Mekinj Valley. See the historic Ubirr Rock and hear about Aboriginal rockart, overfly billabongs and the Magela floodplains; abundant in wildlife. On return learn about this spectaculary scenic river as you take in a kaleidoscopte of rugged rock country.60 minute Scenic - Kakadu Highlights TourDry Season Option - This Tour is the ultimate snapshot of Kakadu from the air taking in all of the highlights including; Ranger Mine, Magela Gorge, Dinosaur valley, Upper East Alligator Gorge and River, Minkinj Valley, Jabiluka Mine and the scenically breathtaking Magela Wetlands.Wet Season Option - We head south, passing the Ranger Uranium Mine, across Mt Brockman and along the escarpment to "Lightning dreaming" hearing this fascinating Indigenous Dreamtime story. After crossing Deaf Adder Gorge, we take in the beautiful Double Galls, a spectacular introduction to the waterfalls of Kakadu. Continuing south, we fly across the Arnhem Plateau until it drops away revealing the Breathtaking Jim Jim Falls. Fly on to Twin Falls, with it’s to distinctive flows and narrow gorge entrance. This tour is a must do between the months of January to May!

5. Sugarbag Safaris

Excellent
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5.0 based on 94 reviews

Sugarbag Safaris

Sugarbag Safaris specialises in tailor-made ​private tours ​and can expertly guide you on a once-in-a-lifetime exploration through the tropical heart of the Northern Territory. From incredible wildlife to panoramic landscapes, mind-expanding Indigenous rock art to sleeping under a velvet, starlit sky. With over 20 years’ experience guiding travellers through Litchfield, Nitmiluk, and World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. Your guide can get you to the Top End must-sees, as well as the secret spots often overlooked by other tours. All this and more on your small group 4wd adventure, these tours allow you to explore and savour the best the Top End has to offer.

6. Jim Jim Falls

Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory Australia +61 8 8938 1120 [email protected] http://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/do/waterfalls/jim-jim-falls/
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4.5 based on 272 reviews

Jim Jim Falls

Spectacular all year - see this area from the ground in the dry season, and from the air in the wet season.The Jim Jim Area is only accessible by 4WD during the dry season. Visitors can explore the spectacular and challenging walks or take a boat shuttle ride to Twin Falls over crystal clear waters (charges apply). Scenic flights are also very popular, and allow visitors to see the spectacular Jim Jim Falls, which are in full flow only during the wet season

Reviewed By stevel179 - Darwin, Australia

This was worth the trek over large rocks and boulders. The kids in our group are 9 and 12, capable of climbing and jumping and had fun. When we reached the end it was spectacular and half our group entered the freezing water!! Water was clear and inviting after the trek and cooled our feet. We would love to see this in the wet season! There was only a small tickle of water coming down from the top.

7. Gunlom Waterfall Creek

Gunlom Lookout Walk Kakadu National Park, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory 0822 Australia +61 8 8938 1120 [email protected] https://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/do/waterfalls/gunlom-falls/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 348 reviews

Gunlom Waterfall Creek

One of the most picturesque waterfalls in Kakadu National Park. Climb the stairs to the pristine plunge pools at the top of the waterfall with an infinity view of the park, or swim under the cascading waterfall at the base with a sandy beach and clear waters. Spend the night at the nearby Gunlom campground.

Reviewed By ShellFisherS - Melbourne, Australia

Google got us worried and we almost didn’t visit when it was suggested a trip to Gunlom would take us 3 hours! Luckily, the rangers told us it’s 3 hours return. We drove in a 2WD to Gunlom from Cooinda lodge, leaving early so we could avoid the peak of the heat. Visiting at the end of May, the track was open to 2WD. The first hour of the drive is the highway so no issue. Once you reach the turnoff the unsealed road begins. We were very lucky as yesterday when we visited, the road was being ‘compressed’ and it made it a lot easier to drive. We took it slow on the way there so it took around 45-50 minutes. A 4WD could do it in 30 minutes. Once there, there is ample parking, toilets, a grassed shaded picnic area and tables. The main swimming area at the bottom of the falls is ideal for kids with a sandy bank, and areas that are shallow. Only 200m from the carpark, it’s very easy to access for everyone. Swimming all the way to the base of the fall the water gets deep. It’s a beautiful, postcard place to swim in Kakadu. If you can’t make it to the top, don’t feel too disappointed, the bottom is still wonderful. The infinity pools at the top of the falls are amazing and if you up for it, worth the hike. We had our 10 month old baby with us and my husband carried her in a MacPac to the top. He is fit and a confident walker so managed with no problem. The walk up has a few ‘bums and hands moments’ for some but if you take it slow you’ll be fine. I’m not overly confident, and managed without any issues. People did the climb in thongs when we were there and we saw other babies in carriers and children ranging in age from 6 to 12 who all managed. (I don’t think carrying a baby up would be possible if they couldn’t walk so a carrier of some kind seemed like a must). As a guide, allow 30 minutes to walk up. Taking drinks and food is a great idea so you can enjoy your swim and not feel rushed to make the trip back down. At the steepest parts of the walk, closest to the pools, there are rails and at other points trees or rocks you can grab to help give you some support. If you have visited Ubir and found that difficult, then the walk/climb is perhaps not for you. The infinity pools are beautiful to swim in and we are very glad we visited. Swimming at Kakadu was on our bucket list of experiences and without doubt a highlight of our trip up North. A couple of tips for those with small kids - the rocks are slippery, the water is deep in parts and the water is naturally quite cold. Taking float toys and float safety rings/vests makes it a lot easier for babies/toddlers! Unless you can confidently tread water and get in and out of the water holding them, on slippery rocks then it’s worth lugging few extra things up. There are some parts that small children can stand up in if helped there. The walk up is quite sunny but once at the top there are shaded parts to sit & swim.

8. Yellow Water Fishing

Excellent
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4.5 based on 35 reviews

Yellow Water Fishing

Yellow Water Fishing provides an opportunity to catch the famous barramundi on Kakadu's most famous billabong. Fishing experiences of 3 hours are perfect for novices and families to experience the thrill of fishing these waters with the guidance of an experienced fishing guide.Our guides provide all of the fishing gear and will coach how to cast, retrieve and how to make your lure the most attractive to the Yellow Water barramundi. Fishing is with lures only so there is no need for live or fresh bait. The boat has a casting deck, seating, partial shade, iced water, refresher towels and keen guides full of fishing stories. A great experience on one of the most beautiful waterways in the world.If you end up catching a fair sized fish, you've the option to have our chefs cook it up for you, or leave it to fight another day.Tour is only suitable for ages 8+ and groups up to 4 people only.

9. Cahills Crossing

Arnhem Highway / Oenpelli Road Kakadu National Park, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory 0822 Australia +61 8 8938 1120 [email protected] http://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/do/crocs/cahills-crossing/
Excellent
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 153 reviews

Cahills Crossing

Cahills Crossing is a notorious car river crossing into Arnhem Land, it is also a great place to watch crocodiles safely from the viewing platform. Usually accessible between April and October, depending on rainfall. The best time of the day to visit is at high tides, where you can see the most action among the crocodiles.

Reviewed By melissabell1970 - Tahmoor, Australia

Lots crocs at high tide both at crossing and nearby ramp On dusk take aero guard!! Short stroll from car park shaded viewing area Def worth a stopover Border store close by friendly and cold drinks available

10. Jumping Crocodile & Wildlife Tours

Excellent
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4.5 based on 63 reviews

Jumping Crocodile & Wildlife Tours

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