After six years, Gunlom Falls is back on the tourist trail.
The falls – one of the Northern Territory’s most iconic travel destinations – reopened earlier this year, marking the first time the tourism drawcard has been accessible to the public since 2019.
Located on Jawoyn Country in the southern region of the UNESCO World Heritage dual-listed Kakadu National Park and a much-loved location featured in classic Australian film Crocodile Dundee, Gunlom Falls offers iconic cascading falls, a breathtaking natural infinity pool with sweeping views across the escarpment, crystal-clear plunge pools and shaded picnic areas.
As the jewel in the crown of Kakadu National Park, Gunlom Falls’ reopening is being welcomed by visitors from around Australia and around the world.
Gunlom Falls’ campground is also operational again and works on a first-come, first-served basis. For many, camping is a highlight when visiting the area with relaxing walks in nature, incredible birdwatching, swimming in cooling plunge pools and opportunities to share stories around the campfire beneath endless starry skies.
The journey to Gunlom Falls is all part of the adventure. To get there, it’s about a four-hour drive from Darwin or two hours from Jabiru, with sealed roads leading to the turn-off and an unsealed stretch into the campground and falls. The drive itself sets the scene: wide skies, red earth, and the changing colours of the Territory landscape.
Visitors can also choose to witness the full magnitude of Kakadu National Park from above with a scenic helicopter flight during the wet season, when waterfalls cascade at full force against ancient landscapes below.
Gunlom Falls also sit within a landscape rich in Aboriginal culture, where stories stretch back tens of thousands of years. Visitors are reminded they are on Jawoyn Country, and taking time to understand this cultural context adds invaluable depth to the experience.
For those who remember Gunlom Falls from years gone by, the chance to return feels like reconnecting with an old friend. For first-time visitors, it’s an opportunity to discover one of the Northern Territory’s most magical places. Either way, a visit to Gunlom Falls is the kind of experience that stays with the visitor forever.
