Safety

There are a number of safety-related aspects of traveling in Kakadu National Park. Information about safety in the park can be obtained from the Bowali Visitor Centre of through the links below. For your own safety please observe all rules on park signs and brochures.

Crocodiles

Estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles are dangerous. They have attacked and killed people. They inhabit most areas of water in Kakadu National Park including floodplains, freshwater billabongs, creeks, rivers and coastal areas. In most locations, crocodile warning signs tell you not to enter the water and to keep away from the water’s edge. Obey signs warning of crocodiles. If you do not see a warning sign, assume that crocodiles are present.

Cliffs

Climbing rock ledges and cliffs and walking or standing near cliff edges can lead to serious injury or death, especially when rock surfaces are wet. Keep well away from all cliff edges.

What to wear

During the heat of the day, you will be most comfortable in loose covering clothing which is cool but protects you from sunburn and insect bites. Use sunscreen and wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses. Mosquitoes can carry viruses such as the Ross River virus, so if they are biting, use a repellent. Sunscreen and repellents may pollute our waterways.

Park laws

Kakadu National Park is established and managed as a Commonwealth Reserve under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The Act sets out rules for Commonwealth reserves. For example you must:

• Stay on public roads and marked walking tracks
• Camp only in designated camping areas

Other park rules and guidelines include:

• Stay behind the barriers to protect Aboriginal rock paintings
• Protect plants – do not use tree branches as fly swats
• Do not feed or disturb wildlife
• Light fires only in fireplaces provided or use fuel stoves. Keep use of firewood to a minimum
• Do not bring pets into Kakadu

Swimming in Kakadu

Due to the risk of estuarine crocodiles in the park, the only public place we recommend you swim is in the Jabiru swimming pool. Some visitors choose to swim at their own risk, in selected natural plunge pools and gorge areas such as Gubara, Maguk, Jim Jim Falls, Gunlom, Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) and in creeks on the plateau above Twin Falls, Jim Jim Falls and Gunlom.

These areas are surveyed for estuarine crocodiles prior to opening each dry season. There remains some risk that estuarine crocodiles may move into gorges and plunge pools during the dry season. Please read the crocodile warning signs in each plunge pool and gorge area and consider their information carefully.