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You need a paid 7-day pass to enter Kakadu, though the park itself stays open year-round. Adult tickets cost $40 during the dry season and drop to $25 from November to May.
Kakadu National Park is open year-round, but access depends entirely on the weather. The main park boundaries never close. When monsoon rains hit from November to April, they flood roughly a third of the landscape and shut down many visitor sites. Walk gates like Anbangbang Billabong operate daily from 7 am to 7 pm.
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| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 09:00–17:00 | Bowali Visitor Centre dry season hours (April–October). Wet season hours (November–March) are reduced to 10:00–16:00. |
The Bowali Visitor Centre closes completely on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Monsoon rains dictate access during the Tropical Summer from November to April. Flooding shuts down about a third of the park, blocking 4WD tracks to Jim Jim and Twin Falls.
All non-NT residents need a 7-day park pass to enter Kakadu. An adult pass costs $40 during the dry season and drops to $25 in the tropical summer. You can buy them online in advance or at visitor centres inside the park.
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| Category | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (16+) - Dry Season | $40 | Valid 15 May to 31 October |
| Adult (16+) - Tropical Summer | $25 | Valid 1 November to 14 May |
| Child (5-15) - Dry Season | $20 | Valid 15 May to 31 October |
| Child (5-15) - Tropical Summer | $12.50 | Valid 1 November to 14 May |
| Family - Dry Season | $100 | Covers 2 adults and 2 or more children |
| Family - Tropical Summer | $65 | Covers 2 adults and 2 or more children |
| Concession - Dry Season | $30 | Valid 15 May to 31 October |
| Concession - Tropical Summer | $19 | Valid 1 November to 14 May |
Northern Territory residents enter for free with proof of residency, and Australian school groups are exempt from all park fees.
Planning your visit to Kakadu National Park? Find tours with free cancellation and skip-the-line options.
View All ToursThe Dry Season from May to October is the best time to visit Kakadu National Park. Cooler, drier weather opens up the 4WD tracks to Jim Jim and Twin Falls, and wildlife gathers tightly around shrinking waterholes. This window draws the heaviest crowds of domestic and international tourists, so book your accommodation months in advance.
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| Period | Crowd Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Early morning (07:00–09:00) | Moderate | Book a sunrise Yellow Water wetlands cruise to photograph crocodiles and waterbirds before the heat sets in. |
| Mid-morning (09:00–11:00) | High | Stop at the Bowali Visitor Centre when it opens at 9 am to check the daily access report before tackling short, flat trails like the Mamukala Wetlands. |
| Midday (11:00–14:30) | Moderate | Retreat to shaded or indoor spots like the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre to escape the intense tropical sun. |
| Late afternoon (14:30–18:30) | High | Avoid strenuous hikes during peak heat and head straight for the Ubirr lookout for 360-degree views over the Nadab floodplain at sunset. |
| Evening (18:30–19:00) | Low | Finish your walks and head back to camp, as specific access gates including Anbangbang Billabong lock promptly at 7 pm. |
Plan for two to three days to cover core sites like Ubirr, Nourlangie, and the Yellow Water wetlands. A thorough trip hitting the remote waterfalls—Jim Jim, Twin Falls, Maguk, and Gunlom—requires four to five days.
Your timeline also depends on transport. Guided tours from Darwin run anywhere from a single full day to multi-day camping safaris.
Get your 7-day park pass at book.parksaustralia.gov.au before driving in. Adults pay $40 during the dry season, dropping to $25 between November and mid-May. Having it sorted early lets you bypass the visitor centre and head straight for the trails.
Finish strenuous walks early. You'll want to be off the trails by 11 am during the summer, or avoid the 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm window in the dry season. Pack a broad-brimmed hat and at least one litre of water per person for every hour of hiking.
Check the Kakadu Access Report on kakadu.gov.au every morning. Flooding, cultural protocols, and crocodile activity frequently close roads and campgrounds, particularly between November and April. A quick check prevents a long drive to a locked gate.
Book a sunrise Yellow Water Billabong cruise from Cooinda to see saltwater crocodiles and jabirus when they are most active. Alternatively, head to Cahills Crossing during a tidal surge. You can sometimes watch up to seven crocodiles feeding on barramundi in a single stretch of water.
Top up your tank at every chance. The park spans nearly 20,000 square kilometres, but petrol and diesel are only sold at Jabiru and Cooinda. If you want to drive the rugged tracks to Jim Jim or Twin Falls during the dry season, you'll need a high-clearance 4WD.
A 7-day park pass costs $40 for adults and $20 for children aged 5 to 15 during the Dry Season from May 15 to October 31. Prices drop to $25 for adults and $12.50 for children during the Tropical Summer. Northern Territory residents get in free with proof of address.
You can buy your pass online at book.parksaustralia.gov.au before you arrive. Visitor centres and a few select outlets also sell them in person. Buy it ahead of time so you don't waste daylight sorting out tickets.
The park itself stays open year-round, but specific walk gates like Anbangbang Billabong lock overnight and run from 7 am to 7 pm. The Bowali Visitor Centre opens from 9 am to 5 pm between April and October, shifting to 10 am to 4 pm from November through March. Always check the daily Kakadu Access Report, as heavy rain closes roads and sites without warning.
Plan for two to three days to see major sites like Ubirr, Nourlangie, and the Yellow Water wetlands. If you want to tackle the 4WD tracks to Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls, set aside four to five days. Trying to cram it into a day trip from Darwin means spending six hours just driving.
Go between May and October during the Dry Season. The weather cools down, the 4WD tracks to the waterfalls open, and shrinking waterholes make wildlife easier to spot. The Tropical Summer from November to April dumps up to 1.5 metres of rain, flooding a third of the park and closing many campgrounds.
Your standard pass covers normal day visits and designated campgrounds. You'll need to apply for extra permits through Parks Australia if you plan to bushwalk off the marked trails, camp in the wild, or visit restricted sites like Jarrangbarnmi. Drones are strictly banned for recreational use.
A family pass covers two adults and two or more children, costing $100 in the Dry Season and $65 in the Wet Season. Concession cardholders pay $30 during the peak months and $19 the rest of the year. Australian school groups enter for free.
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