Day 1
Darwin to Jabiru
Distance 254km - Driving Time 3 hours
Collect your Britz 4WD in Darwin and point the bonnet east along the Arnhem Highway. The drive eases you from city bustle into the floodplains, paperbark forests and pandanus fringes that announce Kakadu’s vast, living landscape. Keep your camera handy for raptors circling above and the first glimpses of red escarpment as you roll into Jabiru, the park’s main township and a perfect base to get your bearings.
Where to stop between Darwin and Jabiru
Mamukala Wetlands boardwalk for a leg stretch and superb birdwatching, especially in the late dry season when thousands of magpie geese congregate. Look for comb-crested jacanas, egrets and other waterbirds working the lilies.
Things to do in Jabiru
Start at the Bowali Visitor Centre to learn about Bininj/Mungguy culture, seasonal changes and current track conditions. The interpretive displays offer an excellent overview of Kakadu’s six seasons and wildlife. With time in hand, wander the short walks around town, refuel and stock up on supplies so you are ready to head deeper into the park tomorrow.
Where to stay in Jabiru
Settle in at Aurora Kakadu Lodge & Caravan Park for shady powered sites and a resort-style pool that is very welcome after a warm Top End afternoon. Alternatively, Lakeview Park Kakadu offers convenient access to town facilities and makes an easy base for an early start.
Day 2
Jabiru to Yellow Water (Cooinda)
Distance 55km - Driving Time 1 hour
Today is a short and scenic hop south to Yellow Water at Cooinda, one of Kakadu’s most photogenic floodplains. This gentle day keeps driving time low so you can immerse yourself in wildlife viewing and Indigenous culture.
Where to stop between Jabiru and Yellow Water
Take a quick detour back to Bowali if you want to double-check tour times or grab a coffee before heading down the Kakadu Highway.
Things to do in Yellow Water
Book a Yellow Water Billabong cruise for close encounters with saltwater crocodiles, jabirus and sea eagles. Morning and late afternoon departures are especially beautiful for soft light and abundant wildlife. On land, visit the Warradjan Cultural Centre to hear the voices of Traditional Owners explaining kinship, bush foods and the deep connection between people, country and seasons. If time allows, enjoy a sunset stroll near the billabong boardwalks to watch the floodplain glow.
Where to stay in Yellow Water
Cooinda Campground & Caravan Park places you right by the billabong with powered and unpowered sites, swimming pools, a bistro and easy access to cruises and the cultural centre. It is a comfortable stay that keeps you close to tomorrow’s 4WD destination.
Day 3
Yellow Water to Maguk (Barramundi Gorge)
Distance 50km - Driving Time 1 hour
Leave the sealed highway behind and engage 4WD for the short, unsealed track into Maguk. The drive itself is part of the adventure, with corrugations and sandy patches reminding you that Kakadu’s best waterholes reward those willing to go beyond the bitumen. Check road reports and drive to conditions.
Where to stop between Yellow Water and Maguk
Pause at scenic pull-ins along the Kakadu Highway for savanna views and to spot agile wallabies grazing in the shade.
Things to do in Maguk
A gentle 2 km return walk through monsoon forest brings you to a tiered cascade and a deep, glassy plunge pool framed by ochre cliffs. In the dry, this is a superb place for a refreshing swim with crystal water and plenty of space to relax on rock ledges. You will cross shallow sections of Barramundi Creek on the walk, so wear sturdy footwear. If you have energy to spare, explore upstream rock pools for quieter spots and sweeping views back down the gorge.
Where to stay in Maguk
Maguk Campground is a simple bush camp requiring 4WD for access. Expect basic facilities with toilets and fire pits, a star-filled sky and the calls of night birds as your soundtrack. This site suits tents and camper trailers. It is the quintessential Kakadu 4WD overnight stop.
Day 4
Maguk to Gunlom Falls
Distance 85km - Driving Time 2 hours
Continue south through open woodland toward one of Kakadu’s most photographed waterfalls. The track to Gunlom suits high-clearance 4WDs and rewards you with a classic Top End scene: an 85 metre cascade dropping to a sandy beach below and natural infinity pools perched high above the escarpment.
Where to stop between Maguk and Gunlom
Lookouts along the Kakadu Highway for vistas across the stone country and a chance to spot wedge-tailed eagles riding thermals.
Things to do in Gunlom
Walk the steep but well-marked track to the top of the falls for a series of rock pools with sweeping views across the woodlands. On a still day the escarpment reflects on the water, making it a sublime place for a swim and a picnic. Back at the base, the shaded picnic areas and sandy shallows are ideal for relaxing. Time your visit for late afternoon light on the cliffs, then settle in for a brilliant Southern Hemisphere night sky.
Where to stay in Gunlom
Gunlom Campground is a well-equipped site in southern Kakadu. A 4WD is recommended for access, and the campground’s proximity to both the plunge pool and escarpment walk makes it an easy and memorable overnight stay.
Day 5
Gunlom to Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls
Distance 115km - Driving Time 3 hours
Aim north toward Kakadu’s most famous twin attractions. You will rejoin the Kakadu Highway before turning onto the Jim Jim Falls access road. From here, the driving becomes rougher with corrugations and a notable creek crossing. Conditions vary each season, and some sections may be closed or too deep to drive through. Always check road and shuttle updates with rangers and confirm vehicle suitability with your rental provider before setting off.
Where to stop between Gunlom and Jim Jim Falls
Cooinda for fuel, supplies and a quick coffee before the 4WD track. Bowali Visitor Centre to confirm current access, boat shuttle times for Twin Falls and any safety notices.
Things to do in Jim Jim and Twin Falls
At Jim Jim, a rocky 2 km return walk leads to a colossal 200 metre high amphitheatre. In the late dry, the falls thin to a trickle but the plunge pool and beach remain dramatic, with towering walls of orange sandstone. Nearby Twin Falls is accessed by a seasonal boat shuttle along the gorge followed by a short boardwalk. The twin cascades curtain into a vast pool beneath overhanging cliffs, a cooling, cathedral-like space that showcases the power of Kakadu’s wet season flows. Bring sturdy footwear for boulder hopping and allow plenty of time to linger at both sites.
Where to stay near Jim Jim
Karnamarr Campground sits close to the escarpment and is the best base for tackling Jim Jim and Twin in one or two days. Facilities are basic but the setting is unforgettable, with glowing cliff lines at dusk and clear, dark skies at night. A high-clearance 4WD is essential to reach this campground.
Day 6
Jim Jim to Ubirr (Merl Campground)
Distance 140km - Driving Time 2.5 hours
After a slow breakfast, loop back toward Jabiru, then follow the East Alligator River to the park’s far northeast. The country changes as you approach the Nadab floodplain, with tall forests giving way to wide-open wetlands and the serrated edge of the Arnhem Land escarpment leading your eye to the horizon.
Where to stop between Jim Jim and Ubirr
Bowali Visitor Centre for a final update on walking track times and advice for sunset at Ubirr.
Things to do in Ubirr
Ubirr is a renowned rock art site, with galleries that depict creation stories, x-ray paintings of fish and turtle, and contact period scenes. Follow the circular trail between shelters, then continue to the lookout for a 360 degree panorama over the Nadab floodplain. Sunset here is one of Australia’s great viewpoints as the sky softens and the wetlands turn gold. Before or after, wander to the viewing platform at Cahills Crossing to watch the tidal push and perhaps see saltwater crocodiles riding the current.
Where to stay in Ubirr
Merl Campground is just a few kilometres from Ubirr, making it ideal for a sunset return under torchlight. Expect shady, well-managed sites, toilets and showers, and easy access to walking trails. It is a peaceful base for your final night in the park.
Day 7
Ubirr to Darwin
Distance 285km - Driving Time 3 hours
Roll away from the escarpment and back along the Arnhem Highway, watching wetlands give way to eucalypt woodland as Darwin approaches. With a comfortable half-day drive, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and one last walk before hitting the road.
Where to stop between Ubirr and Darwin
Mamukala Wetlands for a final birdwatching stop if you missed it on the way in or want a different time of day for photography.
Things to do in Darwin
Back in the Territory’s tropical capital, celebrate your 4WD adventure with a waterfront stroll or a refreshing swim at a public lagoon. If your schedule allows, stay one more night to enjoy Darwin’s food markets, museums and balmy evening air before returning your Britz camper.
Where to stay in Darwin
Discovery Parks Darwin offers powered sites, a pool and easy city access, making it an effortless final stop before drop-off. It is convenient for repacking, laundry and a relaxed wind-down after a week on the tracks.
Kakadu rewards those who find its rhythm. In seven days you will have cruised through bird-filled billabongs, swum in clear rock pools, stood among towering escarpments and traced stories painted across stone. Plan for the dry season, keep daily distances comfortable and check conditions with rangers as you go. When you are ready, you can easily book your Britz camper online and pick it up from your closest Britz branch before hitting the road.