Are there any Kakadu tours during the wet season?
Kakadu National Park tours from Darwin do operate during the wet season, but not quite as frequently. There are also some sights in Kakadu that are inaccessible during the wet season.
Kakadu National Park is generally regarded as the greatest attraction in the Northern Territory’s Top End. The local Aboriginal people work on a six season calendar, and part of the appeal is that Kakadu changes so dramatically from season to season.
When is the wet season in Kakadu National Park?
Most Australians simplify the Top End calendar to two seasons – the wet and the dry season. The boundaries of the wet season are a little hazy as it starts at different times every year. But as a rule of thumb, November to March is the wet season in Kakadu National Park, with October and April on the borderline.
But is it possible to visit Kakadu National Park during the wet season?
4 Kakadu experiences worth booking in advance
- Full day Kakadu tour from Darwin.
- Corroboree Billabong wetland cruises.
- Full day Arnhem Land tour from Jabiru.
- The Yellow Water crocodile cruise in Cooinda.
Visiting Kakadu in the wet season
It is possible to visit Kakadu during the wet season, but not as much of it. Certain areas, such as Jim Jim Falls, are impassable. Others – notably Ubirr and Cahills Crossing – are sometimes accessible, but often flooded out.
As a general rule, however, the attractions close to the main Kakadu and Arnhem Highways are accessible in the wet season. These include the Yellow Water cruise at Cooinda and the Anbangbang rock art gallery at Burrungkuy/ Nourlangie.
Six amazing day trips from Darwin that will improve your visit
- Litchfield National Park day tour – including jumping crocodile cruise. (💲 Great value 💲)
- Tiwi Islands Indigenous cultural experience including ferry.
- One day or four day Kakadu National Park tour.
- Kakadu scenic flight – with gorges, waterfalls and epic floodplains. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Full day Katherine day tour – including Katherine Gorge cruise.
- Arnhem Land full day tour – with ancient rock art.
Kakadu wet season tours
Similarly, there are operational Kakadu tours during the wet season, but not as many. Some tours stop running, others work on reduced departure frequency and tailor the itineraries to what’s open.
A good example is the Autopia Kakadu day tour from Darwin.
During the wet season, the Autopia day tour goes down from daily departures to twice a week – on Monday and Thursday. And, if Ubirr and Cahills Crossing are flooded out, the rock art stop switches to Burrungkuy/ Nourlangie.
Other things to do in Darwin during the wet season include visiting the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory or the Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility. You can also take a scenic flight over Kakadu.
7 great Darwin experiences to book before arriving
- Swim face to face with an enormous crocodile in the Cage of Death.
- Enjoy the romance of Darwin Harbour on a sunset dinner cruise aboard a traditional fishing ketch.
- Explore Darwin’s food and art scenes on a 3.5 hour walking tour – with lunch or dinner included.
- Flit between Darwin’s top attractions with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
- Combine a wildlife tour with the famous jumping crocodiles cruise.
- Get a history fix on a Bombing of Darwin WWII tour and harbour cruise.
- Get the adrenalin pumping on a high speed airboat or jetski tour.
More Northern Territory travel
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Are there any crocodiles in Katherine, Northern Territory?
How can I book Australian domestic flights with Avios?
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