Kakadu closes two gorges on 16 October 2026

Kakadu has closed Bilkbilkmi (Graveside Gorge) and Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) to visitors for the season from 16 October 2026. The access change affects travellers planning visits from Jabiru across the Australian park, while the local authority continues to list several major visitor sites as open.

Two Kakadu gorge sites close from 16 October 2026

The latest access report from Parks Australia lists both gorges as open before the seasonal closure date, with closure taking effect on 16 October 2026. Bilkbilkmi is accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicle, and visitors need a permit for bushwalking or camping there.

Jarrangbarnmi is also subject to permit access. Parks Australia says permit holders must carry an emergency communication device, such as a satellite phone or personal locator beacon, while visiting the site. The report gives no reopening date for either gorge.

The closure is part of the managed access arrangements for remote areas of Kakadu. A separate Parks Australia notice says Bilkbilkmi has periodic closures to allow cultural use by Aboriginal Traditional Owners, with the relevant gate schedule set out for 2026. The notice also tells visitors to leave the area before the stated closure time.

Kakadu access now separates remote gorges from open sites

The 15 October 2026 access report distinguishes the two gorge closures from other conditions across the park. Ubirr rock art site, Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site, Bowali Visitor Centre and Bowali track are listed as open. Yellow Water and several billabong areas are also open, although some locations carry road, water or crocodile warnings.

That distinction matters for a short visit based in Jabiru. The closure removes two remote walking and camping options, but it does not close the park as a whole. A traveller can still use the central township as a base for information and plan visits to accessible cultural and natural sites.

Bowali Visitor Centre in Jabiru explains the park's landscapes and wildlife. The Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre in the Yellow Water region presents the culture of the Bininj and Mungguy Traditional Owners. Together, these centres connect the practical access information with the cultural setting of the protected area.

Kakadu's scale also makes the 16 October change more specific than a general park closure. The affected gorges lie in the southern Jim Jim and Twin Falls region, while open sites listed in the access report belong to several different visitor areas. The seasonal decision therefore changes a defined part of the itinerary rather than removing access to every principal attraction.

Remote access rules shape a Kakadu visit in October

Travellers should check the daily access report before setting out because conditions differ between roads, tracks, wetlands and cultural sites. The report says Old Jim Jim Road is open only to four-wheel-drive light vehicles, while Gunlom has four-wheel-drive access restrictions and no access or swimming at the bottom plunge pool.

Other closures remain in force. Jim Jim Falls, Twin Falls gorge, the Twin Falls plateau walk, Karnamarr campground, Barrk Marlam walk and Budjmi lookout walk are listed as closed for 2026. Maguk is closed following a crocodile sighting, while Two Mile Hole Billabong is inaccessible this year because of roadworks.

The official 15 October access report is therefore the key document for a visit planned after 16 October 2026. The separate Bilkbilkmi closure notice sets out the cultural-use schedule for that gorge.

Visiting Kakadu: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Bilkbilkmi and Jarrangbarnmi close to visitors from 16 October 2026. Both are in remote southern areas of the park.
• The two gorge sites are not available for visits after that date, and Bilkbilkmi requires four-wheel-drive access and a permit for bushwalking or camping.
• Jarrangbarnmi is permit-only, and permit holders must carry an emergency communication device while visiting the site.
• Jabiru is the main township and contains the Bowali Visitor Centre, which provides visitor information for Kakadu.
• Road and site conditions vary. Old Jim Jim Road is restricted to four-wheel-drive light vehicles, while Ubirr, Burrungkuy, Bowali track and Bowali Visitor Centre are listed as open in the 15 October report.

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Frequently asked questions about Kakadu

When do the Kakadu gorge closures take effect?

Bilkbilkmi and Jarrangbarnmi close to visitors from 16 October 2026 for the season. The access report does not give a reopening date for either site.

Where is Kakadu and how do you get there?

Jabiru is the main township in the park and the location of the Bowali Visitor Centre. Kakadu's remote southern sites require careful planning, and some roads and tracks require a four-wheel-drive vehicle or a permit.

What is Kakadu?

Kakadu is a large protected area in Australia's Northern Territory with rock art sites, wetlands, visitor centres, walking tracks and remote gorges. Its access arrangements combine visitor management with cultural-use protections for Aboriginal Traditional Owners.