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 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

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

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

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

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.