Kakadu waterfall tour: Swimming holes and picnic lunch

Choose your adventure, from gentle walks to stair climbs with views at Kakadu’s best spots

A full-day guided tour of Kakadu that travels offroad to two seasonal swimming holes, with a homemade picnic lunch and fresh fruit included. The route changes depending on which waterfalls are flowing and what your group can manage: Gunlom has 470 stairs one way, while other options offer easier walks. A live English-speaking guide leads groups of mixed sizes, and children from age 2 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Waterfall visit and swimming

• Travel south along Kakadu Hwy
• Go offroad on 4WD track
• Take short easy walk to swimming hole
• Swim at first swimming hole
• Enjoy picnic lunch
• Visit second swimming hole

The experience

The day starts with a drive south along the Kakadu Highway, then turns offroad on a 4WD-recommended track toward the waterfall. A short, easy walk gets you to the first swimming hole. After swimming, you head to a picnic lunch in the bush, then move on to a second swimming hole, which one depends on what's flowing at the time of your visit and how the group is traveling.

The route is not fixed. If Gunlom is open and your group is up for it, you'll climb 470 stairs one way to reach the falls. If the group prefers easier terrain, the guide will take you to Boulder or Moline instead, where the walks are gentler. Motorcar Falls and Boulder Creek offer an 11-kilometer return walk as another option. Your guide makes the call based on seasonal conditions and what the group can handle.

Homemade picnic lunch and fresh fruit snacks are included, so you're not carrying food or stopping elsewhere. The tour runs 7 to 8 hours total, with a live English-speaking guide leading the group throughout.

What’s included

• Homemade picnic lunch.
• fresh fruit snacks.
• live English-speaking guide.
• offroad 4WD transport to the waterfall.

Before you book

Book up to15h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (2 to 12 years)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Never Never Safari Tours

Is this one for you?The tour picks you up and handles all the driving and route planning, so you don't need a car or knowledge of which waterfalls are open. The guide adjusts the walk difficulty on the day based on your group's fitness and what's flowing, so you're not locked into a single route.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 12 years).

What's the difference between Gunlom and the other waterfall options on this tour?

Gunlom has 470 stairs to climb one way, making it the most demanding option. Boulder and Moline offer easier walks, while Motorcar Falls and Boulder Creek involve an 11-kilometer return walk. Your guide chooses the route based on seasonal water levels and what your group is comfortable with.

Is this tour suitable if I've had recent knee or hip problems?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with recent hip or knee issues, since the route depends on fitness level and can include significant stairs or longer walks. Check with the operator about which waterfall option might work for your situation.

What's included in the picnic lunch?

A homemade picnic lunch and fresh fruit for snacks are included. You'll eat in the bush between your two swimming stops.

How long is the full-day tour?

The tour runs 7 to 8 hours total, including driving, walking, swimming, and lunch.