Is Cahills Crossing safe?

Cahills Crossing from Kakadu National Park to the Arnhem Land is one of the most dangerous river crossings in Australia. Check Cahills Crossing tides and water depths before attempting it, and watch out for crocodiles.

Cahills Crossing in the Northern Territory‘s Top End is possibly the most notorious river crossing in Australia.

Crossing the East Alligator River from Kakadu National Park into Arnhem Land is an experience few forget in a hurry. Cahill’s Crossing is not a bridge, and it’s not a tunnel. It’s just a road that goes through the river. If you’re lucky, the water level and Cahills Crossing tides are low enough to make it across safely in a 4WD vehicle. If not, then you’re taking one hell of a risk.

As you approach Cahills Crossing, chances are you’ll see two or three abandoned cars downstream. They act as a reminder of what happens when you attempt to cross with the water too high.

Crocodiles at Cahills Crossing

More to the point, you’ll probably also see some big saltwater crocodiles. The East Alligator River is not one you want to wade across after bailing out of a stricken Rav 4.

The crocodiles congregate at Cahill’s Crossing, as the effect the raised road has on fish flows makes it a good feeding spot.

These crocodiles will kill, too. The most recent recorded fatality at Cahills Crossing was in January 2017.

Where is Cahills Crossing?

Before asking “Is Cahills Crossing safe?” you need to work out where it is. Cahills Crossing is at the end of the Arnhem Highway at the eastern end of Kakadu National Park. It’s 286km east of Darwin – a three hour drive in good conditions. From Jabiru, the main settlement in World Heritage-listed Kakadu and home to the crocodile-shaped Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, it’s a half hour drive. That goes near Ubirr, the rock art-filled outcrop that looks over the East Alligator River, on the way. Climbing to the top is one of the best things to do in the Northern Territory.

Once over the other side of Cahills Crossing, you’re in the Arnhem Land and on the Oenpilli Road. It’s a 16.5km drive to Gunbalanya, the main settlement in the western Arnhem Land. Permits from the Northern Land Council are required to enter Arnhem Land and pass through to the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on the Cobourg Peninsula.

Is Cahills Crossing safe?

Water levels, water flow and crocodiles all make Cahills Crossing phenomenally dangerous. It should only be attempted in a high clearance 4WD vehicle.

The crossing may be 50km from the sea, but water levels are very tidal. Check the Cahills Crossing tides and aim for low tide for the safest passage.

Cahills Crossing tides

Cahills Crossing tide times can be found at the Willy Weather site.

Experienced Cobourg Peninsula tour company Venture North has a helpful blog on when to attempt Cahills Crossing. They advise not to attempt it if the water depth is above 0.5m high, although some drivers attempt it when it’s deeper.

For much of the year, the water levels are much higher than that. Indeed, during the wet season, Cahills Crossing is closed completely. It will usually close in November or early December, reopening in April or early May. The Parks Australia website has detailed information on road closures.

What else to do in Kakadu?

Kakadu is the largest national park in Australia. Highlights include crocodile-spotting amid the paperbark trees on the Yellow Water cruise near Cooinda and birdwatching at the Mamukala Wetlands.

You can see Cahills Crossing on a four day Kakadu tour from Darwin.

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