Kakadu in four days
From Darwin through the Arnhem Highway wetlands to Ubirr, Nourlangie, Yellow Water and the waterfalls of southern Kakadu, ending at Pine Creek on the Stuart Highway.
- Distance
- 633 km (393 mi)
- Driving
- 6 h 54 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 11
- States
- Northern Territory
- Updated
- April 28, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 633 km (393 mi) with 11 stops, from Darwin to Pine Creek. About 6 h 54 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Northern Territory · More road trips from Darwin
Route description
Leave Darwin early, heading east on the Arnhem Highway, and stop at Fogg Dam, about 70 km along (one hour), for birdlife on the floodplain. Continue to the Kakadu entrance and on to Jabiru, around 250 km from Darwin (about three hours). Buy the park pass, which is required, and check kakadu.gov.au for road and site closures. The best time is the dry season, from May to October.
On day two, drive 40 km north from Jabiru on a sealed road to Ubirr for its rock art and sunset lookout. Nearby, view Cahill's Crossing from a safe distance, as saltwater crocodiles hunt there at high tide. Beyond the crossing lies Arnhem Land, which needs a Northern Land Council permit. Return to Jabiru or camp nearby, and watch for wallabies at dusk.
On day three, visit Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) for its rock art, then continue about 60 km south on the Kakadu Highway to Cooinda. Take a dawn or late-afternoon Yellow Water cruise to see crocodiles, buffalo and birds safely from the boat, and spend time at the Warradjan Cultural Centre. Jim Jim Falls is reached by a high-clearance 4WD track, open in the dry season only.
On the final day, drive south on the Kakadu Highway and turn onto the unsealed Gunlom Road, about 37 km, open only in the dry season. Climb to the infinity pools at the top of Gunlom Falls and swim. Then continue to Pine Creek, just under two hours, to join the Stuart Highway for Katherine or return to Darwin, about 230 km north.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Darwin
Northern Territory - 261 km
Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve
NatureHumpty Doo, Northern TerritoryA wall across the Adelaide River floodplain where magpie geese, jacanas, egrets and sea eagles gather in huge numbers, especially late in the dry season. Saltwater crocodiles and pythons live here too; stay on the paths and off the water's edge.
- 3208 km
Jabiru
Northern Territory - 442 km
Ubirr
HistoryJabiru, Northern TerritoryRock shelters with Aboriginal paintings, some of them thousands of years old, and a short climb to a lookout over the Nadab floodplain, popular at sunset. Part of Kakadu National Park; a short walk, but go early or late in the heat.
- 58 km
Cahill's Crossing
OdditiesJabiru, Northern TerritoryA tidal causeway over the East Alligator River marking the border with Arnhem Land, notorious for saltwater crocodiles feeding at high tide. Watch from a safe distance; going beyond the crossing needs a permit from the Northern Land Council.
- 662 km
Burrungkuy (Nourlangie)
HistoryJabiru, Northern TerritorySandstone outliers of the Arnhem escarpment with finely painted rock shelters, including the Anbangbang gallery, and a lookout across the floodplains. A well-signed circuit; the paintings are fragile, so stay on the walkways.
- 737 km
Cooinda
Northern Territory - 81 km
Yellow Water Billabong
NatureCooinda, Northern TerritoryA wetland on the South Alligator floodplain teeming with birds, buffalo and saltwater crocodiles. Dawn and late-afternoon boat cruises are the safest, best way to see it; they run all year but conditions change between wet and dry.
- 964 km
Jim Jim Falls
NatureJabiru, Northern TerritoryA 150 m cascade at the head of a sheer gorge, flowing best early in the dry season and often reduced to a trickle later. The road needs a high-clearance 4WD and is open only in the dry season, so check Kakadu access updates.
- 1059 km
Gunlom Falls
NaturePine Creek, Northern TerritoryStepped infinity pools on top of a rock wall with views over the southern Kakadu plains, reached by a steep walk, plus a pool at the base. Open in the dry season only; the gravel access road is closed when wet.
- 1192 km
Pine Creek
Northern Territory
Suggested stages and overnight stops
4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Darwin → Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve · 61 km · 0 h 40 min
- Day 2: Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve → Cahill's Crossing · 258 km · 2 h 49 minOn the way: Jabiru, Ubirr.
- Day 3: Cahill's Crossing → Jim Jim Falls · 164 km · 1 h 47 minOn the way: Burrungkuy (Nourlangie), Cooinda, Yellow Water Billabong.
- Day 4: Jim Jim Falls → Pine Creek · 151 km · 1 h 39 minOn the way: Gunlom Falls.
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually July–August. Hot in August–June. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Kakadu in four days?
4-day road trip of about 633 km (393 mi) with 11 stops, from Darwin to Pine Creek. About 6 h 54 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Kakadu in four days?
We suggest 4 days: about 6 h 54 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Kakadu in four days start and end?
It starts in Darwin and ends in Pine Creek.
Which states does Kakadu in four days pass through?
Northern Territory.
When is the best time for Kakadu in four days?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually July–August. Hot in August–June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
