There’s something I need to settle right now: there’s nothing wrong with visiting Kakadu National Park during the wet. Something everyone said to me was that it everything would be closed, especially for a 2WD. But man, were those people wrong.
Kakadu National Park is luscious and bright green in the wet season. It’s known as one of the best national parks in Australia, and although there aren’t as many sights open during the wet, it still shouldn’t be missed.
I’m pleased to say, the park is easy to navigate and access during the wet season with a 2WD vehicle. Many people say not to go to north during the wet as it’s dangerous in a two wheel drive, but I’ve had no problems with this.
This guide to Kakadu National Park during the wet will include what to expect of the park, what may be open, what’s closed and other important information.
What I focus on in my national park guides is enjoying time in the outdoors and what makes each park special. I also write honest and realistic experiences in each place, that way readers can get the most out of each guide.
For other national park guides, check out Booderee National Park, Springbrook National Park and Ben Boyd National Park.
Table of Contents
Fast Facts on Visiting Kakadu National Park During the Wet
As a non-resident of the Northern Territory, I found it difficult to determine how safe it is it visiting Kakadu National Park during the wet season. To ease the concerns, these are fast facts on what to know about visiting during the wet.
- Check local road conditions: possible flooded roads are the only barrier from accessing the park. Or other road problems, which would be noted on the same site.
- Nearly all roads are sealed (paved) within the park: aside from flooded roads, those that are open are mainly sealed and well-maintained.
- Check the access report: Kakadu has a page that shares exactly what is open in the park, when it may open again, and how accessible it is. Use this to plan where to go.
- Be aware of local weather: check the weather, but keep in mind Kakadu is big. Even if the weather shows rain it may not rain everywhere or everyday.
- It’s hot and humid, plan accordingly: don’t underestimate Kakadu’s heat. During the wet season, the hot and humid weather is intense. Plan to do activities early morning or late afternoon and relax during the day.
- Drink loads of water: in this tropical climate it’s recommended to drink 6-8 litres of water a day.
- Be prepared: Think of a worst-case-scenarios and bring extra food and fuel, in case you’re stuck in Kakadu due to flooding, or if restaurants are closed.
The Best of Kakadu During the Wet Season
Those that know the Northern Territory well, know that the wet seasons is when the natural beauty comes alive. This means lush foliage, blossoming flowers and active wildlife. For wildlife, the park the most diverse bird population in all of Australia. There’s also crocodiles, wallabies, kangaroos, emus and feral animals.
Ideally, the waterfalls are bursting with water from the wet season, but it’s not as easy to see them due to flooding and road closures. In which case, it’s better to visit Kakadu just before the wet season if waterfalls are top on your list. Or just after to get the most out of the green landscape and flowing waterfalls.
Except for the closures, Kakadu National Park is an amazing place to visit during the wet season. Its natural beauty is over the top and it’s much more than just an iconic movie backdrop from Crocodile Dundee.
Visiting Kakadu National Park During the Wet: 2WD or 4WD?
There’s a lot of emphasis of 2WD’s vehicle not being suitable for the north end of Australia during the wet season, especially when it comes to a remote national park such as Kakadu. This section will cover the importance of 2WD and 4WD vehicles in Kakadu National Park during the wet season.
I visited the park in a 2WD in the middle of an intense wet season and had no problems. I never got bogged, stuck, lost or had a major breakdown. A general rule is to make sure you have a reliable vehicle, whether that’s 2WD or 4WD.
When a 2WD vehicle may become and issue is if an intense rain storm is going on while you’re in the park. By this I mean, you’re planning the trip, road conditions are good but then it deteriorates while in the park. Certain areas may flood and there’s a slim chance you could be stuck in the park until it gets better. In which case, it’s better to leave before this happens.
Most of the roads in Kakadu National Park that are accessible by 2WD, stay the same year-round. Flooding is the main pre-determining factor that would change this, and while flash floods do occur. Keeping up to date with road conditions is the best way to stay organized.
The reason 4WD vehicles may be better is for those few unsealed roads, and through minor flooding. My 2WD vehicle was able to get through all of the roads during the wet season that were open, and even those recommended for 4WD.
What’s Open During the Wet
The most up to date information on what’s open in Kakadu National Park year-round is the access report. For those unfamiliar with the park and how to navigate it, I’m sharing a more in-depth view over what’s open during the wet, why and other options to consider.
This is assuming the park’s main highways are open, which are the Arnhem and Kakadu Highways. This information is also available on the access report.
A few common places that may be open during the wet season are mainly in the Nourlangie region. This area is a great way to see Kakadu’s beauty despite other closures in the park.
Depending on road flooding this may be the Nourlangie rock art site, Nawurlandja Lookout Walk, Kubara Pools Walk and the Nanguluwurr Art Site Walk. The last two on this list are on a dirt road and may be the hardest to get to depending on the conditions. They’re also a few kilometres walk, which gets difficult during the hot times of the day.
The Nourlangie rock art site has walks to see the different art sites, and an easy to access lookout.
The Mamukala wetlands may also be open depending on the water levels, which are always changing. This is a nice board walk towards the wetlands with large and covered viewing areas.
Finally, the Yellow River Cruises are open all year and a make a unique opportunity to see something different. The boats can go much further during the wet season and it’s a completely different outlook on the nature. I did this tour and recommend it to enjoy another side of Kakadu that isn’t visible on walks during the wet season.
Often some areas may close and reopen throughout the wet season depending on the weather. Stay up to date with the access report before planning a trip.
What’s Closed During the Wet
The main pockets of what’s closed in Kakadu National Park during the wet season is the 4WD accessible tracks. Also the East Alligator region, which can be cut off due to major flooding over the road connecting this area to the rest of Kakadu.
Every wet season is different though and there may be different rain intensities at different times of the season. Always check on the full access report to see what sites are open.
For specific regions that may be closed during the wet season, it includes: Jim Jim and Twin Falls Section and East Alligator Region. The other regions except for Jabiru and Nourlangie regions may have a few sites open, such as campsites, walks and billabongs. Most of these don’t have too much to see, and many campgrounds have limited facilities—by that I mean no showers.
Despite many walks being open, it gets exhausting to do most during the day with hot and humid weather. Plan on site seeing during the coolest times of the day, and spend the other portion of the day relaxing—perhaps somewhere in the shade.
Just remember that some of the spots that are closed may reopen throughout the season. The Ubirr rock art site may be accessible if the wet season isn’t as intense, or if it hasn’t rain much in the season.
Otherwise, on the access report for Kakadu, there’s information on when sites may open and the entire procedure for opening a site. Some sites may not fully open until June, depending on the wet season.
Not all accommodation options are open during the wet season, but I found most are. There’s different options for camping and hotels at both Jabiru and Cooinda. There are campgrounds in the national parks but these have limited facilities. Personally after a day of hiking, it’s better to take a shower, so choose what works with you lifestyle.
For more information on travelling Australia, check out these road trip guides on the east coast: Brisbane to Cairns, Sydney to Brisbane, Melbourne to Sydney inland and coastal and the Great Ocean Road.
