Kakadu closes Gunlom for the season on 11 November

Kakadu will seasonally close Gunlom on 11 November 2026, giving visitors to the park near Jabiru a specific access change to check before travelling. The closure concerns one of the park's named visitor sites in the Mary River region and is subject to weather conditions.

Gunlom seasonal closure starts on 11 November

Parks Australia listed Gunlom as open with risks in its access report updated on 9 November 2026, while scheduling the seasonal closure from Wednesday 11 November 2026. The same notice says the change may be adjusted because of weather conditions. The Kakadu access report is the park authority's daily reference for visitor sites, roads and seasonal restrictions.

The notice does not describe a replacement opening date for Gunlom. It instead places the site among the access decisions that can change as conditions develop in the tropical summer. Travellers therefore need to treat 11 November 2026 as the start of the listed closure, rather than assume that a dry-season visit remains available.

Gunlom links a waterfall site to seasonal park access

Gunlom is identified by Parks Australia as a visitor site in the Mary River region. The park authority's site information says Gunlom Road is currently limited to high-clearance 4WD vehicles and that there is no access to, or swimming in, the bottom Gunlom plunge pool. Those restrictions are separate from the scheduled seasonal closure, but they are relevant to the same visit.

The wider setting explains why access information matters here. Kakadu extends from coastal areas and estuaries through floodplains and billabongs to rocky country in the south. The Northern Territory tourism board's Kakadu destination guide describes the park as a place where visitors combine wetland, wildlife and Aboriginal cultural experiences. Gunlom's seasonal notice turns that broad landscape into a practical decision about one named site.

Jabiru is the main township and a central point for visitor information. The Bowali Visitor Centre presents the park's landscapes and wildlife, while the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre in the Yellow Water region focuses on the culture of the Traditional Owners. These facilities give travellers places to check conditions and plan alternatives when a southern or remote site is unavailable.

Other visitor areas remain listed separately

The 9 November access report does not announce a park-wide shutdown. It lists several other areas as open, including Burrungkuy, Ubirr, Bowali and Yellow Water, although individual locations can carry their own risks or restrictions. Maguk remains closed, while the Jim Jim and Twin Falls area is closed for 2026.

This distinction matters for a visit planned around the closure. A trip to Kakadu can still involve open visitor centres, rock-art sites, billabongs and walks, but the status of each location needs to be checked separately. Conditions may affect roads and waterways, so the access report should be consulted again before departure.

Visiting Kakadu: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Gunlom's seasonal closure is scheduled to begin on 11 November 2026 in the Mary River region.
• Gunlom Road requires a high-clearance 4WD, and the lower Gunlom plunge pool is closed to access and swimming.
• Jabiru is Kakadu's main township and the location of the Bowali Visitor Centre, which helps visitors plan around changing site conditions.
• Other listed areas include Burrungkuy, Ubirr and Yellow Water, while Maguk and the Jim Jim and Twin Falls area have separate restrictions.

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Frequently asked questions about Kakadu

When does the Gunlom seasonal closure start at Kakadu?

The closure is scheduled to start on 11 November 2026 and may change with weather conditions.

What does the Gunlom closure mean for visitors?

Gunlom is not available under the listed seasonal closure, and access already requires a high-clearance 4WD while the lower plunge pool is off limits.

Where is Kakadu and how do you get there?

Kakadu is in Australia's tropical north, with Jabiru as its main township and visitor-information hub. Travellers need their own vehicle or a bus or 4WD tour to move between sites.