How to Get from Darwin to Kakadu National Park

Kakadu is a natural wonderland filled with abundant outdoor adventure opportunities.

Kakadu is one of Australia’s largest national parks, covering around 20,000 square kilometres. The national park is home to Aboriginal rock art, a variety of wildlife, and incredible waterfalls.

The best way to reach Kakadu from Darwin is either by taking a tour or driving yourself.

Tour

If you don’t have your own car or haven’t hired one, booking a tour is the next best option! A tour is typically the best way to experience Kakadu for first time visitors.

Your tour guide will take you around some of the main highlights of Kakadu. There is a range of tours to choose from, such as a one day tour to four days or even five days!

By car

If you’re looking to drive yourself, it will take around three hours to reach Kakadu from Darwin. Driving yourself allows you to go at your own pace and plan your trip. Along the way, you can make multiple stops to experience different parts of the Northern Territory before reaching Kakadu.

What to see in Kakadu

Given the vastness of Kakadu, there are numerous activities to enjoy in the national park.

• Rock art

Kakadu boasts two main rock art galleries, Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie). Some of these paintings are over 20,000 years old! When you explore the galleries, you’ll see the naturalistic paintings of animals, the early contact with European people, and traditional x-ray art.

• Yellow Water

Yellow Water is a river system and a haven for unique wildlife like saltwater crocodiles, water buffalos, and a variety of birds. The best way to see Yellow Water is on the cruise, where you can spot out the local wildlife and have the knowledgeable locals tell you about the billabong. These relaxing cruises typically last about 90 minutes to two hours.

• Waterfalls

Kakadu features incredible waterfalls, including the Territory’s tallest, Jim Jim Falls. Twin Falls and Maguk are other fabulous waterfalls and popular swimming spots. Be cautious if you plan to swim in any water in Kakadu as crocodiles may be present.

Keep in mind you can’t swim at the waterfalls during the wet season. If you want to see these waterfalls during this period, there are scenic flights available.

To fully experience Kakadu, aim to spend about a week here. This will allow you to learn more about the Aboriginal culture and history and explore the park’s diverse natural beauty.

However, we understand you can’t always set aside a week to explore Kakadu. Luckily, you can still have an incredible experience if you visit for a day or a couple of days.

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward began with a passion for travel and turned it into a thriving tourism business. He co-founded Sightseeing Tours Australia after starting out as a tour guide in Melbourne. Cameron delights in helping visitors get the most from their trip to Australia. Whether he's leading tours or writing about his favourite places, Cameron loves sharing his local insight with fellow travellers.