Darwin and Kakadu, Australia: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Top End, as the far north of the Northern Territory is called, is tropical Australia: savannas, floodplains that fill during the wet season, sandstone escarpments, waterfalls and rivers with saltwater crocodiles. Darwin, the territory capital, is the gateway, facing the Timor Sea.

About 170 km to the east is Kakadu National Park, nearly 20,000 km², a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981 for both nature and culture. It is the land of the Bininj and the Mungguy, who co-manage the park with the government. At Ubirr and Burrungkuy, rock shelters preserve paintings made over thousands of years, and Yellow Water cruises travel floodplains full of birds and crocodiles.

South of Darwin, Litchfield National Park, near Batchelor, brings together waterfalls with natural plunge pools and magnetic termite mounds aligned north–south. Further on, Katherine is the base for Nitmiluk National Park, a sequence of thirteen gorges on the Katherine River, land of the Jawoyn.

The year is divided between the dry season, from May to October, more reliable for travel, and the wet season, from November to April, when roads and park areas can close.

This destination brings together 4 cities: Darwin, Jabiru, Batchelor, Katherine.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Darwin and Kakadu is

Boundaries: Australian Bureau of Statistics / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Darwin and Kakadu

✈ Aeroporto de Darwin (DRW), in Darwin · 13 km to Darwin

Darwin Airport (DRW), about 13 km from the city centre, receives flights from all Australian state capitals and some international flights from Southeast Asia. The Ghan train links Adelaide and Alice Springs to Darwin, stopping at Katherine. Jabiru, Batchelor and Katherine are reachable by sealed roads.

Suggested arrival point: Darwin

Território do Norte · Darwin and Kakadu Capital Suggested arrival point

Darwin

Capital of the Northern Territory, Darwin is a tropical city facing the Timor Sea, rebuilt after Cyclone Tracy in 1974. In the dry season, the Mindil Beach market brings together food and crafts at sunset. The Territory museum, in Fannie Bay, tells the story of the cyclone and displays Aboriginal art. In the city center, the Waterfront foreshore has lagoons for swimming and Crocosaurus Cove features saltwater crocodiles.

Território do Norte · Darwin and Kakadu

Jabiru

Small town inside Kakadu National Park, about 250 km from Darwin, Jabiru is the base for the north and central park areas. Nearby are the Bowali visitor center, the Ubirr and Burrungkuy rock art shelters, and, farther south, the Yellow Water floodplains, explored by boat from Cooinda. There is a market, a service station, and a few accommodations.

Território do Norte · Darwin and Kakadu

Batchelor

Small town about 100 km south of Darwin, at the entrance to Litchfield National Park. The park, a few kilometres away, brings together waterfalls that drop from the Tabletop plateau, like Florence and Wangi, tiered natural pools at Buley Rockhole and magnetic termite mounds aligned north–south. It is a common day trip from Darwin.

Território do Norte · Darwin and Kakadu

Katherine

Town on the banks of the Katherine River, about 320 km south of Darwin, at the junction of roads to Darwin, Kakadu and the Kimberley. Thirty km away is Nitmiluk National Park, Jawoyn country, with thirteen gorges navigated by boat and canoe. To the north, Edith Falls has swimming pools. In town, the Katherine hot springs form pools on the riverbank.

The local experience

Things to do in Darwin and Kakadu

Batchelor · Northern Territory · Waterfall

Florence Falls

A double waterfall that drops from the Tabletop plateau into a natural pool surrounded by monsoon forest in Litchfield National Park, with a lookout and steps down to the swim area.

Darwin · Northern Territory · Market

Mindil Beach Sunset Market

Open‑air fair on Mindil Beach in Darwin on dry‑season Thursday and Sunday nights, with food stalls from around the world, crafts and the sunset over the Timor Sea.

Katherine · Northern Territory · National park

Nitmiluk National Park

A sequence of thirteen sandstone gorges on the Katherine River, Jawoyn country, about 30 km from town, navigated by boat and canoe tours.

Jabiru · Northern Territory · Archaeological site

Ubirr

Group of rocks in northeast Kakadu with rock art shelters from different periods, from X-ray style animal paintings to spirit figures, and a lookout over the Nadab floodplain at sunset.

See 12 more places in Darwin and Kakadu

Jabiru · Northern Territory · Archaeological site

Burrungkuy (Nourlangie)

Outcrop of the Arnhem Land escarpment in Kakadu, formerly called Nourlangie Rock, with the Anbangbang shelter, paintings such as Namarrkon the Lightning Man, and a lookout.

Katherine · Northern Territory · Waterfall

Edith Falls (Leliyn)

Waterfall on the west side of Nitmiluk National Park, called Leliyn by the Jawoyn, with a large pool near the car park and a trail to the upper pool.

Darwin · Northern Territory · Museum

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Museum in Fannie Bay, Darwin, with Aboriginal art, natural history collections, the Cyclone Tracy exhibition from 1974 and the crocodile Sweetheart.

Batchelor · Northern Territory · Waterfall

Wangi Falls

A waterfall with two drops into a large natural pool in Litchfield National Park, with easy access, picnic facilities and a forest trail to a high lookout.

Batchelor · Northern Territory · Waterfall

Buley Rockhole

A series of terraced natural pools on the Florence Creek in Litchfield National Park, with small drops between the rocks and short access from the car park.

Darwin · Northern Territory · Park

Darwin Waterfront

Renovated foreshore in central Darwin, with a net‑protected lagoon for swimming without crocodiles or jellyfish, a wave pool, lawns, restaurants and the pier.

Katherine · Northern Territory · Park

Katherine Hot Springs

Warm natural pools on the banks of the Katherine River, a few minutes from town, with boardwalks, steps and a picnic area.

Jabiru · Northern Territory · Stroll

Yellow Water

Floodplains and lagoons of the South Alligator River at Cooinda, Kakadu, explored by boat to see saltwater crocodiles, waterbirds and wetland plants.

Katherine · Northern Territory · Cave

Cutta Cutta Caves

Limestone caves about 27 km south of Katherine, in a territorial nature park, visited with a guide, featuring limestone formations and bats.

Jabiru · Northern Territory · Cultural center

Bowali Visitor Centre

Kakadu information centre near Jabiru, designed by architect Glenn Murcutt, with displays about the seasons, the natural environment and the culture of the Bininj and the Mungguy.

Darwin · Northern Territory · Theme park

Crocosaurus Cove

A downtown Darwin attraction with large saltwater crocodiles, fish and northern reptile aquariums, and a dive in an acrylic cage inside the crocodile tank.

Batchelor · Northern Territory · National park

Magnetic Termite Mounds

Field of flattened, north–south aligned termite mounds in Litchfield National Park, with a viewing boardwalk and, nearby, a cathedral termite mound several metres high.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From May to October, the dry season, days are usually hot and sunny with cooler nights, and parks are more accessible. From November to April heavy rains fall, humidity is high and some roads, trails and natural pools close; waterfalls are often fuller.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Five or six days: one or two in Darwin, two or three in Kakadu, one in Litchfield and one in Nitmiluk. With less time, Litchfield and a day in Kakadu can be done from Darwin.

Which city to stay in

Darwin has accommodation of all types in the city centre and along the waterfront. In Kakadu, bases are Jabiru and Cooinda, with few options and some campgrounds. Batchelor is at the entrance to Litchfield. Katherine has accommodation in town and near the Nitmiluk entrance.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Darwin and Kakadu

What is the best time to visit Kakadu?

From May to October, the dry season, when roads and trails are more open. In the wet season, from November to April, parts of the park close, but waterfalls are fuller and scenic flights show the flooded floodplains.

Do you need a car in Darwin and Kakadu?

In Darwin, no. For Kakadu, Litchfield and Katherine, a car or an organised tour is needed: public transport is limited. Some dirt roads require a 4x4. In Australia you drive on the left.

Can you see Kakadu on a day trip from Darwin?

It’s possible but tiring: Jabiru is about 250 km away. Ideally, spend two or three nights in the park.

Can you swim in the rivers and waterfalls of northern Australia?

Only in places marked as open for swimming by the park rangers. Rivers and floodplains have saltwater crocodiles; always follow the signs.

Do you have to pay to enter Kakadu?

Yes, you must purchase the park pass; check the current fee schedule.

What time zone is Darwin in?

Northern Territory time, UTC+9:30, with no daylight saving time.

Darwin and Kakadu

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.