Can you do Kakadu in a day?

You can absolutely explore Kakadu National Park in just one day!

Kakadu National Park is a legendary dreamscape full of unique wildlife, cascading waterfalls, picturesque swimming holes and surreal rock formations. A journey through Kakadu National Park is unlike any other trip in the world. The sheer majesty of the landscape is enough to inspire awe and wonder in any traveller.

You’ll love visiting the mystical Nourlangie Indigenous shelters and spotting crocs from the safety of a river cruise. You’ll also enjoy taking a refreshing dip in the Gunlom plunge pool and learning about local Indigenous history. Kakadu National Park is an action-packed adventure that you will surely never forget!

One thing to know about Kakadu is that it is absolutely gigantic, and this means a lot of its incredible sites are in far flung parts of the park. But you can still easily experience some of its top wonders in one action-packed, unforgettable day!

Highlights to explore in one day

Let’s take a look at some of the awesome adventures you can have in one day at Kakadu National Park.

• View Indigenous art at the amazing Nourlangie shelters

   

  
  The Nourlangie region of Kakadu is as much a stunning rock formation as it is an incredible Indigenous rock art site. Take in the breathtaking views before heading into the shelters, where the local Bininj people painted thousands of years ago. Here, you can learn about the art and take your time to meander around the impressive landscape.

• Jump aboard a croc-spotting river cruise

  
  No visit to Kakadu is complete without spotting its most fearsome resident, the formidable saltwater crocodile! But you might not want to get too close to these creatures on foot. This is why there are awesome river cruises that allow you to spot the prehistoric beasts from the comfort of the deck!

  While the crocs are the cruise’s main attraction, you will also get the opportunity to learn more about the beautiful landscape and the other unique wildlife that inhabit it. When joining a crocodile cruise, you’re in for an unforgettable experience!

• Learn about Indigenous history

  Kakadu National Park is a sacred place to the Warradjan people. They are the native custodians of the land, and proudly educate visitors about their connection to the land and their customs.

  At the Warradjan Cultural Centre, you can learn more abo  ut their artwork and how they lived off the land for thousands of years. You’ll hear some truly fascinating stories and have the chance to view incredible works of art.

Join a one-day Kakadu National Park tour

This one day Kakadu tour ensures a great time exploring the highlights of the national park. Throughout an entire day, you will come to understand why so many people love this national park. The first stop is at the Fogg Dam Conservation Centre, where you can enjoy a boardwalk stroll and look out over the wetlands. Then we’ll learn a bit about the area at the Bowali Visitor Centre before continuing our journey.

In the afternoon, we will check out Cahills Crossing, though we won’t actually partake in it as it’s quite dangerous. The final stop of the tour will be at Ubirr Rock, where you can view some incredible, historic Rock art. After a full day of exploring, your epic tour will come to an end.

Alternatively, if one of the highlights of the national park is the crocodiles, join this deluxe Kakadu day tour! Your journey will begin as we follow the Stuart Highway from Darwin. We will visit the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre to learn more about the national park before carrying on. The next stop is the Yellow Water Billabong where you’ll embark on a thrilling crocodile cruise!

After the cruise, you can indulge in a delicious buffet lunch before visiting the Nourlangie Rock Art site. Here we will embark on a short walk and view the historic rock art. This is sadly when your day of exploring comes to an end and we head back to Darwin.

One day in Kakadu National Park is more than enough to experience some of its top attractions. With croc-spotting, Indigenous heritage and unbelievable scenery, this national park makes for a memorable day for all!

Related article: When is the best time to visit Kakadu National Park

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.