Discover The Secret Cascades Of Kakadu National Park

Kakadu is a World Heritage Listed national park filled with tremendous cascades.

Located in the Northern Territory, Kakadu is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. While visiting the national park, you can explore various natural attractions, including its lesser known waterfalls. Though these cascades are not exactly secret, they are often overshadowed by the more famous Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls.

Motor Car Falls

Credit: Tourism NT/@betsybiglap

One of Kakadu’s hidden gems, Motor Car Falls is a beautiful spot surrounded by monsoon forest. It’s an Instagram worthy location and well worth a visit. However, its relative obscurity is partly due to the 7.5 kilometre return walk required to reach it. During your walk, keep an eye out for various bird species and wallaroos.

Swimming is possible at Motor Car Falls but it may be closed during the peak of tropical summer.

Gunlom Falls

Gunlom Falls is one of the most stunning waterfalls in Kakadu, known for its clear water and pristine plunge pool. A 20 minute steep walk leads you to the top of this picturesque cascade. However, the walking track is currently closed at the request of the Traditional Owners. It is respectful to avoid accessing these areas until they are officially reopened by the Traditional Owners.

Maguk

Credit: Tourism NT/@aswewander

To reach Maguk, take a walk through a monsoon forest to find a rocky creek with a waterfall. Nestled within lush vegetation, Maguk features a crystal clear main plunge pool. Don’t forget to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy by the creek while listening to the gentle trickle of water and the bids chirping.

How to see Kakadu’s cascades

– Driving

Credit: Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught

Kakadu is a vast national park, and one of the best ways to explore it is by driving, especially in a 4WD vehicle. A 4WD is necessary to access many of Kakadu’s attractions, including several waterfalls. If you don’t have access to one, you can still access most of Kakadu in a 2WD.

– Tour

Booking a guided tour is an excellent way to experience Kakadu’s natural environment. Tours range from day trips to multi day adventures, providing opportunities to see at least one of the waterfalls and much more of the park.

While Kakadu is a beautiful national park, it is a wild place where safety around waterways is paramount due to the presence of crocodiles. It’s essential to be aware of the water and surrounding areas before you freely swim in the plunge pools.

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.