Gunlom Falls Kakadu National Park: Swimming, Access & What to Expect
If you're planning a motorhome road trip through the Top End – and honestly, you absolutely should – there’s one stop that’s just become even more important to include: Gunlom Falls in Kakadu National Park. The New York Times has listed the Top End as one of the top places to visit in 2026, and the reopening of Gunlom Falls is the star that got it there.
Gunlow Falls - Image credit Tourism NT, Jeffery J Kieffer
Gunlom isn’t just a pretty waterfall (although it definitely delivers on that front). It’s famous for that elevated natural infinity pool everyone posts on Instagram – the one that makes you question why you still live where mornings require socks. But it’s also a place of deep cultural importance to the Jawoyn people, the Traditional Owners of the land.
Gunlow Falls - Image Credit - Tourism NT - Jewels Lynch
After six years of closure due to a legal dispute, public access has finally been restored – and in a way that actually benefits the people who should benefit most. The Jawoyn won a landmark case that not only reopened the site but also increased their share of commercial revenue from 14 per cent to 50 per cent. It’s a major step toward fairer tourism in the Top End, and the New York Times rightly called it out as part of a positive shift in how visitors want to experience not just this region of Australia but all culturally significant areas around the globe.
For international travellers especially, this is the kind of story that adds meaning to the miles you’ll clock up just getting to Australia. Kakadu isn’t just a national park – it’s one of the world’s greatest cultural landscapes. You’ve got wetlands, escarpments, wildlife that may or may not steal your lunch or have you for lunch, and around 5000 Aboriginal rock art sites. You could spend a lifetime here and still only scratch the surface.
Darwin the gateway to any Top End road trip, also warrants a mention it's brand-new Larrakia Cultural Centre, opening September on the harbour will bring together archaeology, music, and hands-on workshops in a world class facility… basically the perfect place to learn whose Country you’re standing on before you set off on your Top End road-trip.
So when you’re mapping out your Top End loop in your DriveNow motorhome, make space for Gunlom Falls – not just because it’s beautiful (it is), but because its reopening represents something bigger. This is a region shaped by ancient culture, modern Indigenous leadership and experiences that stick with you long after you’ve return your rental vehicle.
Make sure you book your campsite as early as possible - Yellow Water Campground
What Vehicle do I need?
Questions to ask yourself before you plan your itinerary:
- How many people in your party. Put that number into the search so you know what your options are and if your happy with those vehicles, sometimes 2 vehicles is a better option for larger numbers.
- If you think you will want to access roads that require 4WD vehicles, check out the options. Some of the 4WD vehicles require you to climb up a ladder to sleep in a roof top tent. Is this for you?
- How much time do you have?
- One way rentals are an option, ie. Darwin to Alice Springs or somewhere else. it will cost you extra.
- Make sure you are travelling in the 'dry season' - May to October
Example of a tent top 4WD camper vehicle.
While you road-trip anywhere in Australia don't forget to pay your respects to the traditional custodian of the land on which you travel, their elders past, present and emerging. Respect the fragile environments in which you find yourself, leave only foot prints and take only photos.
Image Credits - Tourism NT, Jewels Lynch, Jeffery J Kieffer and Ben Savage.
