Does Kakadu get cold at night?

Kakadu is known for its Aboriginal history, waterfalls, native wildlife and great weather all year

Kakadu National Park is under a three-hour drive from Darwin. As the national park is in the north of Australia, it doesn’t typically get too cold there. Though depending how good you are with the cold, and whether you’re a local or not, you may feel the cold!

Dry season

The coldest time of the year in Kakadu is during the dry season. It can get to about 17 degrees Celsius overnight, especially during the middle of the year. Even though 17 degrees Celsius doesn’t sound cold, it is. The low humidity makes it feel cooler. Dry season is seen as winter to the locals because of the cooler nights and mornings. But the rest of the day is still quite hot, often getting to around 30 degrees Celsius.

Wet season

During the wet season, the temperature overnight doesn’t drop as low as it does during dry season. It can reach between 21 to 24 degrees Celsius overnight. The days are about 35 degrees Celsius. The wet season is seen as the Northern Territory’s summer with a lot of rain and thunderstorms.

When is it the best time to visit?

As the weather is almost always warm, all year is a great time to visit Kakadu. Without the rain, the dry season has more attractions open. If you’re planning to visit during this time, be sure to reserve accommodation and tours early as they book out in advance.

With the wet season comes the rain and the floods so a lot of attractions are closed during this time. In saying that, there are a lot less visitors in the area during the wet season. So, you are more likely to be able to book a last-minute trip with no issues.

What attractions can I see in Kakadu?

You must see Kakadu’s famous waterfalls including Jim Jim and Twin Falls. The dry season is the only time you can do a walk through the monsoon forests that surround these towering falls. However, during the wet season, you can view the falls via a scenic flight. It is a great way to see them as the waterfalls are fuller due to the rain.

Another great thing to do in Kakadu is the Yellow Water Cruise. On this cruise there are 60 different types of birds in the wetlands you can spot. The most exciting to see is the eagle. This is also one of the best places in Australia to see crocodiles in the wild.

You should also see some of the world’s oldest rock art, the Burrungkuy (Nourlangie). These art document what life was like in the area of Kakadu 20,000 years ago!

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.