How To Get To Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park, situated in the Northern Territory of Australia, stands as a testament to the country's rich natural and cultural heritage. Spanning about 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Australia’s largest national parks! Full of diverse ecosystems like wetlands, rainforests, and rugged escarpments, there is so much flora, fauna, and natural beauty to discover here.
There is also a rich cultural significance in Kakadu National Park, as several Indigenous groups have inhabited the region for tens of thousands of years. Their deep connection to the land is visible in the ancient rock art galleries scattered throughout the park. Kakadu National Park is one of the most magical places to visit in Australia’s Top End, and here is everything you need to know about getting there!
How To Get To Kakadu National Park
Visitors can get to Kakadu National Park by flying into Darwin in the Northern Territory and then driving to the park or booking a guided tour. You can also include Kakadu National Park in an epic Outback Australia road trip itinerary if you can spare a few days to drive there! But the Outback is very remote, so the easiest option for getting to Kakadu National Park is flying into Darwin and driving from there.
This guide for how to get to Kakadu National Park will cover all the logistics of planning your journey to Australia’s Top End. Hopefully, this makes it easier for you to plan a trip to the gorgeous Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory!
Where do you fly into for Kakadu National Park?
Travellers will want to fly into Darwin for their journey to Kakadu National Park. The park is only a few hour's drive from Darwin International Airport, and there are plenty of places to rent a car in Darwin. If you’re booking a guided tour, most of them will include transport to and from Darwin to Kakadu.
Some may wonder if you can fly into Alice Springs for a visit to Kakadu National Park. You can, though Alice Springs located on the opposite end of the state and requires at least 13 hours of driving to get to Kakadu. So Darwin is an easier option, but you can also fly into Alice Springs and turn the journey north to Kakadu into a road trip through the Outback!
Flying into Darwin and car rental
Though Darwin International Airport hosts some flights from overseas, it’s not as big of a travel hub as other Australian cities like Sydney, Brisbane, or Perth. So if you’re travelling to the Outback from overseas, you may have to stop over in one of those cities before arriving in Darwin.
Once you arrive in Darwin, you can hang out in the city for a day or two before making the trek out to Kakadu National Park! Either rent a car in the city or book a guided tour that will pick you up at your Darwin accommodation.
Getting to Kakadu With A Car
Driving To Kakadu National Park From Darwin
Once you arrive in Darwin and secure your rental car, it’s just under 2 hours to reach Kakadu National Park. But keep in mind, Kakadu National Park measures in at just under 20,000 square kilometres! So from Darwin to the very western edge of the park, it’s about 150km and 1 hour and 45 minutes of driving. But you’ll need to drive further to explore the rest of the park.
For example, getting to the Ubirr cultural site in the northeast end of Kakadu National Park from Darwin is 290km, or 3 hours of driving. Or, to reach Barramundi Gorge Waterfall (Maguk) near the southern end of the park is about 280km from Darwin, or 3.5 hours of driving. So make sure you measure your distances ahead of time and have plenty of fuel in the tank!
Driving To Kakadu National Park From Alice Springs or Broome
It is also possible to drive to Kakadu National Park from other popular Outback destinations without flying to Darwin first. This is only a viable option if you have a capable car or campervan and you’re willing to complete a remote, adventurous Outback Australia road trip! Darwin is the closest city to Kakadu National Park by far, so it’s going to be a bit of a trek to get there from other locations.
For example, driving from Alice Springs to Kakadu National Park is about 1,300km, or 13.5 hours of driving without stops. From Broome, WA, it’s about 1,700km to Kakadu, or 18 hours of driving. So feel free to include Kakadu National Park in your lengthy Outback road trip itinerary! But the easiest way to get to Kakadu National Park is by flying to Darwin and driving from there.
Can You Drive To Kakadu In A Normal Car?
Yes, you can drive a normal, two-wheel drive car around Kakadu National Park! So you don’t need to rent a 4WD. However, the park encompasses a huge expanse of wilderness and some more remote areas are only accessible by 4WD. It’s up to you which type of vehicle you would prefer. 2WD rental is more affordable and still provides access to many highlights of the park. But 4WD allows you to reach the more rugged parts of the park and is ideal for off-roading, camping, and exploring in-depth.
Guided Tours To Kakadu National Park
Alternatively, you can book a guided tour of Kakadu National Park! Guided tours are ideal for solo travellers, first-time visitors, and those hoping to learn as much as they can about the local wildlife, history, and culture. Whether you book a day tour or a multiday tour of Kakadu, having the direction and knowledge of a local guide will make your experience that much more memorable. It is a massive park, so it can be overwhelming to explore on your own! If you are exploring solo, joining a guided tour can also be more affordable than hiring a vehicle by yourself.
How many days do you need for Kakadu?
3 days is the sweet spot for exploring Kakadu National Park in Australia’s Top End, though you could always spend longer than that. This vast expanse of wilderness is so huge that you could spend weeks here and never run out of things to do! But most travellers don’t have the luxury of unlimited time. So 3 days is a great time frame for touring Kakadu National Park. You’ll have plenty of time to see the best natural attractions and have 2 nights to enjoy a magical camping experience!
Can you see Kakadu in a day?
Though 3 days is ideal for exploring Kakadu National Park, you can get a great introduction to the park in one day. A day trip to this giant national park can seem daunting, as there is simply so much to see and do! But the tour guides on your day trip will do an amazing job of showcasing the highlights of the park in just one day. So don’t worry if you only have time for a day trip, you can still appreciate the beauty of Kakadu National Park on a whirlwind day trip.
When is the best time to visit Kakadu National Park?
The best time to visit Kakadu National Park is during the dry season, which typically runs from May to October. During these months, the weather is mild with lower humidity and minimal rainfall, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife spotting.
The dry season also coincides with the peak tourist season, offering visitors the opportunity to experience cultural events, ranger-guided tours, and boat cruises along the park's waterways.
While the wet season from November to April brings lush vegetation and impressive waterfalls, it also brings heavy rains and flooding, which can limit access to certain areas of the park and increase the risk of crocodile encounters. It’s also much hotter during these months, which is less comfortable for exploring.
So if possible, try to visit Kakadu National Park during the dry season between May and October!
