Gunlom

Falls,

Kakadu N.P.

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Gunlom Falls, Kakadu National Park, NT

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Open between May and October

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Stay as long or as little as you like!

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Free

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Family friendly but challenging to get to!

Details

The Top End is by far Australia’s best kept secret. Full of Australian aboriginal history and culture it really is an experience like no other in Australia. Gunlom Falls is located in Kakadu National Park, the falls can be viewed from an all access easy walk out to the bottom of the falls, known as the Gunlom Billabong. If you’re lucky and arrive early in the tourist season you may see the falls in full flow, the Gunlom Billabong was made famous in the movie Crocodile Dundee.

To really experience Gunlom Falls you must climb to the plunge pool. It’s not the easiest of hikes and parts are pretty intense, it is however more than worth the effort. You would need to be of a reasonable level of fitness to do it, as in parts the track fades requiring you to scramble over rocks.

You are best to make the climb either first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon when the sun starts to dip. The heat of the day is not the time to tackle it, make sure you carry plenty of water and stop frequently. There are pros to both experiences, early morning means you have all day to enjoy the amazing Gunlom plunge pool seen in many NT advertising campaigns, however the afternoon allows for a sunset viewing before heading back down. Best of all this experience wont cost you cent, other than getting there.

This area has limited accessibility, it is not open in the wet season from October to April and won’t open until the billabong has been cleared of saltwater crocodiles. There may still be some freshwater crocs, but if you stay out of their way they will be unlikely to attack.

Recommended by Sally Lucas from Ourkidsvtheworld

Best time for this activity

Best time of year to go: The falls are season and open between May and October.

Best time of day to go: In the early morning between 8am – 11am, or in the afternoon after 4pm.

Driving distances

Kakadu Lodge to Gunlom Falls – 2 h 6 min (176.4 km) via Kakadu Hwy/State Route 21

Darwin to Kakadu National Park – 1 h 42 min (150.9 km) via Arnhem Hwy/State Route 36

Alice Springs to Kakadu National Park – 13 h 29 min (1,331.0 km) via National Highway 87 and National Highway 1

Uluru to Kakadu National Park – 18 h 22 min (1,798.2 km) via National Highway 87

Parking facilities

Plenty of parking located at the base of the falls and around the camp grounds.

Official website

Parks Australia – Gunlom Falls

What you should bring/wear

Bring your swimmers, a floatie, food, sturdy footwear and an adventurous attitude.

Wheelchair friendly?

The Gunlom Billabong is wheelchair friendly but the hike to the falls is not suitable.

More Information

You can only visit Gunlom Falls if you have a 4WD.

Upgrade to the 4WD and make the trip, stay up at the Gunlom plunge pool for as long as you can. Take food and plenty to drink and make sure you take all your rubbish with you when you leave.

This area is fairly remote, it is unlikely you would be here unless planning a camping trip.

Kakadu Accommodation

Kakadu Budget Accommodation:

Gunlom Campground – just near Gunlom Falls

Kakadu Mid-range Accommodation:

Cooinda Lodge – 60 km from Gunlom Falls
Cicada Lodge – 129 km from Gunlom Falls
Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel – 177 km from Gunlom Falls

Kakadu Luxury Accommodation:

Wildman Wilderness Lodge – 120 km from Gunlom Falls

Things to do near Gunlom Falls :

There are plenty of walks around the falls, beware of snakes while out and about. There are plenty of other water holes close to Gunlom that you can explore however you will need a vehicle.