You will find everything in Kakadu from a hotel room or lodge to a glamping tent, caravan spot or campsite. But what is right for you is a matter of your budget, vehicle, comfort requirements and travel dates, not to mention the demands of the dry season when things get busy.
Jabiru is the place to be if one wants to be central with hotel facilities at hand; Cooinda is better positioned for the southern side of Kakadu and a cruise on the Yellow Water. Then there is camping which affords greater freedom, provided one can put up with the dust, the heat, mozzies and now and then a dunny that has had its day. In this guide Liliana Ashcroft sets out how to go about booking in Kakadu without any unpleasant surprises and where the various facilities stand.
Kakadu Accommodation At A Glance
Given the sheer size of the National Park, where you put down your bed will have an impact on each day of your visit. For more Kakadu travel timing tips, consider staying close to the South Alligator River, Cooinda or Jabiru to avoid backtracking by the hour when the weather, road or an attraction closure throws a spanner in the works.
There are no universally “best” options. A couple who is self-sufficient might opt for a powered site whereas a family would want a restaurant and pool. The question is not so much which room is prettiest on the internet but which one is a good base for your sightseeing.
| Type of accommodation | Best suited to | What one can expect | Some booking pointers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel rooms | Couples, short stays and those after comfort | Air con, private quarters and the like | Look into seasonal availability and cancellation policy |
| Lodge | Those with a need for more room, families | Perhaps a cabin with patio or kitchenette, or shared facilities | Make sure of the layout of the room prior to putting down a deposit |
| Kakadu camping | The outdoorsman and budget conscious | A degree of self-reliance and basic amenities at powered or unpowered sites | Road access and any booking requirements should be verified |
| Glamping | For the campfire feel without making too many concessions at night | Tents and beds already in place, bathroom access will differ | See what is in the price for cooking gear, linen etc. |
Do not be guided by an out of date price list when it comes to costs; they are subject to the season and inclusions. Factor in park fees, fuel, tours and meals as well as the room itself. An inexpensive room is hardly value for money if it means long drives to every meal and point of interest.
Jabiru Versus Cooinda
These two are the most sensible bases for a lot of visitors, each with their own merits. It is a case of charting a sensible course through Kakadu rather than crowning a victor. Put your must-see attractions on a map first and see what the driving distances are. Kakadu is no compact resort and what appears close on a monitor could well be a protracted drive on a hot road.
Making use of Jabiru
For the traveller headed to the east and centre of Kakadu, Jabiru is handy. One can plan for Ubirr, Nourlangie, Burrungkuy, the Mamukala Wetlands and cultural sites of the vicinity, access permitting.
There is the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel, the Aurora Kakadu Lodge and Camping and Caravan Park, Gagudju Lodge and others. As properties differ, enquire as to whether the room has a patio, private bath, pool access or the necessary equipment for cooking.
Families will also find Jabiru practical since it has a variety of accommodation on offer, from hotel and ensuite rooms to cabins and camping in the area. That is helpful in keeping a disparate group content, though do not expect to find anything left over in the peak times.
Yellow Water and Cooinda
If a Yellow Water Billabong visit or cruise is on the agenda, Cooinda is the more convenient option. Being in the neighbourhood takes the edge off an early morning departure, particularly with all the cameras and sunscreen one has to carry around.
Cooinda Lodge Kakadu has both camping and lodge-style rooms in an area that lends itself to southern itineraries. Operating details are prone to change so verify reception hours, dining and the specifics of the room before you book.
It is also a good jumping off point for the Jim Jim and Twin Falls roads, should conditions and access be in order. Those are roads that call for a fit vehicle and time to plan. Do not assume because a picture from the dry season looks fine that a track will be open for you. Driving is part of the deal in some of the surrounding areas
Nearby Areas Need More Driving
You will find some making their base outside the park or in the vicinity of access points like the South Alligator River. While this can be done as part of a road trip to Darwin, the Stuart Highway and other Top End haunts, it means your day-to-day sightseeing will involve more driving than you might like.
There are advantages to lodging beyond the park boundaries in terms of having greater options for fuel, a meal or something on the budget. The downside is the time it takes to get back into the park come morning. For a one-day visit, it is better to put in at the nearest convenient spot than to go after a cheaper nightly rate and end up with a flat-out schedule behind the wheel.
Hotels And Lodges In Kakadu
For a proper bed, private bathroom and air conditioning once the bush has been left behind, the hotels and lodges in Kakadu are the way to go. They also mean less equipment to lug around when the boot is already as full as a sardine tin.
Do not take a booking page as word that every room has all the facilities; they are more of a checklist. There is a marked difference from one property to another and between room types.
Make sure the amenities are right for your trip
A family should be sure there is a kitchenette, a fridge, separate beds, room to put away muddy shoes and wet towels and some outdoor seating in what is being offered as family accommodation. A couple will have other priorities, an ensuite perhaps, or a pool, a bar and restaurant and a quiet patio.
Those with mobility concerns would do well to make an inquiry over the phone regarding the layout of the bathroom, how far the parking is, step-free access and the ground from reception to the room. “Accessible” is open to interpretation by some booking systems, so a call is worth it.
As for pets, options are few and come with strings attached in a national park such as Kakadu given the wildlife and cultural sites and the rules on animal management. Do not think you can bring a pet on to the accommodation grounds or on a walk in the park without first ascertaining the property’s position on the matter.
What the fine print says
Take stock of the total cost, any deposits, the window for cancellation, when the reception is open, power and meals. In these parts if you put in after the reception has shut, a small delay becomes an awkward night in the car.
Recent guest reviews will tell you about rooms in need of attention, poor mobile signal or an air-conditioner that makes too much noise. But then again, a city hotel is not what you have in the remote bush, and you will be disappointed if you put in for room service at midnight.
Camping, Caravan Parks and Glamping
Camping in Kakadu is for those who want to save on costs and have some freedom, but it requires you to be prepared. You cannot be taken aback by the heat and humidity, insects or the state of the roads.
The caravan parks and camping spots are handy for four-wheel-drives, caravans and campervans. Find out if you can run a generator, whether the site is powered and if you must book ahead.
Some planning is called for
Have on hand sufficient water, food, fuel and sun and insect protection for where you are going. Put in a basic first-aid kit, spare batteries and a small cooler, they will make all the difference. See to it that food is put away and heeded the local advice on wildlife; an inquisitive creature is no substitute for a rubbish bin.
Before you head off the main route check the access roads. It may be passable but slow and corrugated, not fit for a vehicle with little clearance. Build in some leeway for the heat and the unforeseen instead of a minute-by-minute plan.
Glamping is a happy medium
An Outback Retreat tent or similar in Kakadu will appeal to those desirous of the bush but not wanting to tote a tent and mattress and the rest of the camping aisle from the hardware store. They will have a bed and some furnishings though inclusions are not uniform.
Inquire as to what is provided: electricity, linen, cooking, heating or cooling, secure storage and whether the bathroom is private. A tent with a shared bathroom is not the same as one with an ensuite, both are fine but you have to have the right expectations.
Finding the right place to stay
How hard you are willing to work for your comfort and the make-up of your party will dictate the best accommodation in Kakadu National Park. Have a list of non-negotiables for the group and pick an area that works with your route.
It is a practical way to whittle down the choices before you start looking at deals and availability.
- Families: opt for a lodge or something in Jabiru with a pool, a family room, good air conditioning and easy access to food.
- For couples, a hotel room in Cooinda or some Kakadu glamping is to be had with the requisite private bathroom and a quiet place outside; pick something close to where you will be.
- Those on a budget should put Kakadu camping against unpowered sites and shared facilities and make sure the cost of food, fuel, equipment hire and park fees are all factored in.
- Caravan owners need to see what powered sites are available, if there is room to turn, what the generator rules are and whether the road access is right for the vehicle. Also check on dump points.
- We would advise first-timers to forgo the more isolated spots in favour of a central base that has on-site support and set reception hours.
One day in the park is not enough to try and cover it all, so concentrate on an area. Make Jabiru your base for the eastern side or Cooinda to get at Yellow Water and the southern sights. And when an online itinerary has you on hard walking tracks or rough roads, do not be in a hurry; factor in your fitness and the heat.
Facilities To Compare
Practicality is key to a sound booking in Kakadu. One does not just purchase a bed but a base from which to drive, eat, put devices to charge, dry one’s clothes and put the Top End climate behind you.
Rely on up to date property details and put any important matters to them directly. Maintenance, staffing, the season or even the state of the roads can see facilities alter.
A Checklist For Kakadu
Before parting with your money, have a look at the type of site or room, the cancellation terms, check-in process, parking, cooking and bathroom arrangements, air conditioning, what is on offer for meals and how far you are from the attractions you want to see. Parks Australia has the official word on any alerts or access issues from the National Park.
An offline copy of the confirmation is prudent. A screenshot will serve you better than holding up a phone to no signal. Put the accommodation number and arrival details on file while still in town.
Getting There, Parking
The Arnhem Highway from Darwin is how most get to Kakadu by car. A private vehicle is the way to go for flexibility, though you may require four-wheel drive for the odd remote attraction or road. Be sure to read the fine print on a hire contract as conditions can preclude unsealed roads.
Then there are the tour operators who take the stress of navigation and the vehicle off your hands, at the expense of having your own say on sightseeing and meal times. The self-drive option is for those at ease with making their own plans for water, fuel and the like, whereas a coach or guided trip is better for anyone disinclined to put in long miles in the heat.
Dry Season Bookings
Accommodation in Kakadu sees its heaviest trade in the dry season when the going is more comfortable and access is to be expected. With school holidays and the like, demand is keen for a good room, a powered site or a link to the Yellow Water cruise, so do not leave it late.
In the wet season you might find the crowds thinned out and the landscape different, but it is not the dry season with a bit of rain added. Expect high humidity, storms, closed tracks and the odd change to operations. See what the current warnings and operating dates are before you book.
From November through April the Top End is subject to tropical risks, cyclones and heavy rain. It is not worth planning a remote drive on optimistic figures. Have your weather information to hand and be flexible. Should there be a closure it is for safety, not some contrivance to put a damper on your holiday. To put your plans in perspective, refer to the operating calendar of the accommodation and any park alerts in force, as well as our Kakadu travel timing tips. The way you time things will have a bearing on room availability, road access, conditions for a walk or a swim and the tours that are on offer.
Plan Your Nights In Kakadu
A single night is fine if you want to make a focused stop, yet it does not allow for much when the weather intervenes or the roads are slow, or should you decide an hour with the wheel is no match for the sunset walk.
For a first timer, two nights is more of an introduction. Put down in Jabiru or Cooinda and you can see off a day of sightseeing and still have time to spare for a cruise, wetland or cultural site.
Then there are those who prefer a leisurely pace, the option of camping or to cover more ground; three or more nights is the answer. It is also a good buffer against late opening roads, sold out tours or a wet season that has other ideas for your itinerary. I would say the rule is straightforward: let the experiences you want dictate the number of nights, do not be guided by how many pins you can put on a map. Be patient and Kakadu will show you. Even the crocodile is not in any rush.
Kakadu Accommodation Booking FAQs
What Is The Best Place To Stay In Kakadu National Park?
Your itinerary will tell you. For central and eastern attractions, make of Jabiru a practical base; for Yellow Water Billabong and the south of the park, look to Cooinda. A hotel or lodge is the way to go for comfort, or opt for glamping as a compromise. Camping offers flexibility at less of a nightly cost.
What Are The Three Types Of Accommodation?
In general terms you have the hotel or lodge, the camping or caravan site and pre-set tent or glamping. Some properties straddle these categories so read the description of the room or site before you book.
What Month Is Best For A Visit?
You will not find one month that is best for all. The dry season has its appeal for those wanting some certainty in their walking and driving, but the wet brings heat and storms and the odd closure. Do not take a blanket recommendation for a particular month, check what is available and the access situation for the dates in question.
How Many Nights Are Required?
If the schedule allows, put in a minimum of two on a first visit. One will do for a concentrated stop close to an attraction, three plus for a slower tempo and longer drives.
Is There Year Round Availability?
Not always. Some are seasonal and the state of the roads and facilities can be dictated by the wet season. Get confirmation from the property and have a look at the park alerts. You will find it harder to come by during school holidays or the height of the dry season.
Booking Advice
In a way, booking accommodation in Kakadu is route planning. Go to Jabiru for the centre of things, Cooinda for Yellow Water, a hotel or lodge if a private bathroom and air con are priorities, and a camp or caravan for the flexibility they afford. See what the total trip comes to, make sure of the facilities and road and weather, and be prepared for the Top End to be what it is. Provided you have a sensible itinerary and the right place to put your head, you will enjoy Kakadu all the more, mozzies included.