Weather in Kakadu National Park

About Kakadu National Park

Kakadu explodes with Aboriginal rock art spanning 65,000 years, where ochre-stained galleries shelter under sandstone cliffs dripping with waterfalls. Saltwater crocodiles rule tidal rivers and billabongs in this living archive of Dreamtime creation stories.

Country

Australia

Best months to visit

May, June, July, August

Currency

AUD

Language

English

Things to do in Kakadu National Park

Tour rock art galleries Spot saltwater crocodiles Hike to pristine waterfalls Canoe the billabongs Learn from Aboriginal guides Camp under Kakadu stars

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

33C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

February

33C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

March

34C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

April

34C

Hot and humid, with occasional showers.

Recommended

May

34C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

June

33C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

July

33C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

August

34C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

September

37C

Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.

October

38C

Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.

November

37C

Very hot, with some rainy days.

December

35C

Very hot, with frequent heavy rain.

Kakadu National Park is a vast wilderness of wetlands, sandstone escarpments and ancient Aboriginal rock art sites stretching across the Top End, home to one of the highest concentrations of Indigenous rock art in the world at sites like Ubirr and Nourlangie. Crocodile-spotting cruises on the Yellow Water billabong and waterfalls like Jim Jim and Twin Falls (wet-season access permitting) showcase Australia's tropical north at its rawest.

Best areas to stay in Kakadu National Park

Jabiru

The park's main service town, with accommodation, fuel and the Bowali Visitor Centre.

Ubirr

A rock art site with an escarpment lookout famous for sunset views over the Nadab floodplain.

Nourlangie (Burrungkuy)

Another major rock art site with galleries depicting ancestral beings and a circuit walk.

Yellow Water (Cooinda)

The billabong area known for wildlife cruises, with nearby accommodation at Cooinda.

Getting to Kakadu National Park

✈

Flights

Fly into Darwin International Airport, then travel by road (around 2.5-3 hours) or join an organised tour to Kakadu.

⏱

From London

~20-22 hours from London to Darwin, plus the road transfer to Kakadu.

🚕

Getting around

A 4WD vehicle extends access to more remote sites and falls (especially in the wet season); organised tours cover the main sights without a car.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Kakadu?

The dry season (May-October) provides the best access to roads and waterfalls; the wet season (November-April) floods many roads but brings dramatic landscapes and fewer crowds.

How far is Kakadu from Darwin?

About 2.5-3 hours by road; most visitors do at least an overnight stay, with 2-3 nights recommended to see the park's highlights properly.

What is the rock art at Ubirr and Nourlangie?

Both sites feature galleries of Aboriginal rock art, some thousands of years old, depicting ancestral figures, animals and contact history, accessible via short walking trails.

Is the Yellow Water cruise worth it?

Yes — early morning cruises on the Yellow Water billabong offer excellent chances to see saltwater crocodiles, abundant birdlife and classic Top End wetland scenery.

Can you swim anywhere in Kakadu?

Some designated waterholes are considered safe seasonally (check current advice, as crocodile presence varies), while many other water bodies are off-limits due to crocodiles.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

The rock art at Ubirr, combined with the escarpment sunset view, was one of the most memorable evenings of our whole Australia trip.

Ruby A. · June 2024

★★★★★

Yellow Water cruise at dawn was incredible — saw multiple large crocodiles, sea eagles and brolgas all within an hour. Highly recommend the early time slot.

Felix N. · July 2023

★★★★☆

Spent 3 nights and still felt like we only scratched the surface — the park is enormous. A 4WD let us reach Jim Jim Falls, which was worth the rough road.

Priya K. · August 2024