Gunlom Waterfall Creek
Gunlom Waterfall Creek
4.5
About
One of the most picturesque waterfalls in Kakadu National Park. Climb the stairs to the pristine plunge pools at the top of the waterfall with an infinity view of the park, or swim under the cascading waterfall at the base with a sandy beach and clear waters. Spend the night at the nearby Gunlom campground.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
351 reviews
Excellent
274
Very good
60
Average
5
Poor
4
Terrible
8
caddyandbellA
Perth, Australia4,646 contributions
Jun. 2021
The sign posting wasnt very good and when we asked someone about the track out there they said it was awful.We drive out the 40kms to get there only to be greeted with a closed barrier over it.Track out there had corrigations but was good?????Can really comment on the falls but at the moment closed
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steven m
11 contributions
Jun. 2021 • Couples
Closed due to petty squabble over stairs.
Urbirr Rock closed cultural reasons.
Seriously you want our money or not.
Don't waste your time or money on Kakadu.
Go to Litchfield it's all open.
Urbirr Rock closed cultural reasons.
Seriously you want our money or not.
Don't waste your time or money on Kakadu.
Go to Litchfield it's all open.
Written 7 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Woddy
11 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
We were planning to visit Kakadu but when we were informed that two of its top attractions were closed, one for cultural reasons and the other due to road conditions, we thought we would give it the miss. The Kimberly region has the same, if not more and equally beautiful, on offer without being subject to these restrictions. Photos of the Kimberley.
Written 4 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anderson L
1 contribution
Jun. 2020 • Family
The care takers are worse than a salty they totally kill the place and any fun to be had.
No music, $15 bucks per head just for arriving not even advertised.
You can't even talk after 8pm without the Sheila complaining and telling us she will call the police if she hears us laugh again.
New care takers needed they are extremely rude and controlling.
No music, $15 bucks per head just for arriving not even advertised.
You can't even talk after 8pm without the Sheila complaining and telling us she will call the police if she hears us laugh again.
New care takers needed they are extremely rude and controlling.
Written 21 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert G
Ascot Vale, Australia4 contributions
Oct. 2020
I really think people who are super entitled and having a whinge about the top pools being closed should really just jog on.
For starters, who goes anywhere without doing research these days? Gunlom top pools have been closed for quite some time, so how can anyone with the internet not know that. Secondly, There is so much more that Kakadu has to offer, than a few, overdone, instagram shots. Sure it is a nice place, but If you have any type of intelligence, or cultural awareness, you will remember that Kakadu is ABORIGINAL land. It is a sacred place, and if the traditional owners want to close part of it, then respect that and stop complaining. Not only is Kakadu their home, it is their sacred land. In your own home, you have decisions about who visits and who doesn't. It's the same thing. Entitled people, unfortunately seem to think the world is theirs to access at all times. You forget, it is not an open, public spot and the only reason you have access to any of it, is because the Traditional owners have allowed you to come in.
If you're only at Kakadu for the Gunlom top pools, then you're really missing out on all that Kakadu has to offer. Go do something else. Everyone has seen photos of the top pools to death. And we all know that's why you're there. Instagram shots. Go do something cultural for a change.
For starters, who goes anywhere without doing research these days? Gunlom top pools have been closed for quite some time, so how can anyone with the internet not know that. Secondly, There is so much more that Kakadu has to offer, than a few, overdone, instagram shots. Sure it is a nice place, but If you have any type of intelligence, or cultural awareness, you will remember that Kakadu is ABORIGINAL land. It is a sacred place, and if the traditional owners want to close part of it, then respect that and stop complaining. Not only is Kakadu their home, it is their sacred land. In your own home, you have decisions about who visits and who doesn't. It's the same thing. Entitled people, unfortunately seem to think the world is theirs to access at all times. You forget, it is not an open, public spot and the only reason you have access to any of it, is because the Traditional owners have allowed you to come in.
If you're only at Kakadu for the Gunlom top pools, then you're really missing out on all that Kakadu has to offer. Go do something else. Everyone has seen photos of the top pools to death. And we all know that's why you're there. Instagram shots. Go do something cultural for a change.
Written 28 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul S
Alice Springs, Australia201 contributions
Jul. 2020
Visited here Sept 2019 when the top access was open. Its such a beautiful spot and amazing experience to swim in the pools.
I was very sad to see that the access has been cut on my last visit July 2020 due to 'cultural' reasons even though the stairs have been there for many many years.
I would recommend visitor not from the NT to boycott Kakadu as a result and punish the decision to close such a perfect spot.
Its the same as Ulurru, that climb had also been closed a few months before.
Coincidence????
I was very sad to see that the access has been cut on my last visit July 2020 due to 'cultural' reasons even though the stairs have been there for many many years.
I would recommend visitor not from the NT to boycott Kakadu as a result and punish the decision to close such a perfect spot.
Its the same as Ulurru, that climb had also been closed a few months before.
Coincidence????
Written 16 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca A
5 contributions
Oct. 2020 • Friends
My sister and I had a great day tour of Kakadu with Chizo from Never Never Safari Tours. He had lots of knowledge to share, particularly about the native flora and fauna. He found us some beautiful and safe places to swim! Lunch was also amazing (and well catered to vegetarians)! He was very flexible in what we wanted to do for the day and even took some bonus photos for us. Thanks Chizo!
Written 3 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LozArthur
Darwin, Australia264 contributions
Jun. 2020
Stayed at Gunlom as the last visit on our Kakadu trip. The campground was our favourite out of everywhere - lovely warm showers, clean toilets, loads of space and open fires available. Road in was bumpy - full of corrugations. 4WD recommended but we comfortably took our Outback (AWD) and we saw a few campervans who were slowly making the journey out.
The bottom pool is lovely and cool but when we went there was a 2.5m male freshwater croc and swimming was not recommended. It's still a beautiful spot to sit and relax with your feet in the water. Note - there are always female freshwater crocs in the water but they're safe to swim with if you don't bother them.
For those looking to go - the top pools have been closed due to the stairs being built over/near a sacred aboriginal site. The traditional owners have closed access until the stairs have been fixed. This will probably last well into 2021 before it is rectified.
The bottom pool is lovely and cool but when we went there was a 2.5m male freshwater croc and swimming was not recommended. It's still a beautiful spot to sit and relax with your feet in the water. Note - there are always female freshwater crocs in the water but they're safe to swim with if you don't bother them.
For those looking to go - the top pools have been closed due to the stairs being built over/near a sacred aboriginal site. The traditional owners have closed access until the stairs have been fixed. This will probably last well into 2021 before it is rectified.
Written 23 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David E
2 contributions
Aug. 2020 • Couples
Would of been nice to know that you can no longer access these pools above the water fall, its the only reason I did the long drive down a horrible dirt road, no signs on the way in saying they are closed just a small sign before the walking track! Not happy at all and a total waste of time.
Written 17 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Granules2013
Darwin, Australia2,020 contributions
Aug. 2020 • Friends
Overnight stop here whilst traveling around Kakadu. Really good campsite with showers/toilets. Spread out sites with pit fires so you can enjoy some space from other campers. The falls itself is really nice, huge swimming area down the bottom, good for a splash throughout the day and a short walk from the campsite. There’s also a walk up the top to a lookout and plunge pools although this is currently/temporarily closed at the request of local indigenous population.
Written 11 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bec M
Sydney, Australia1 contribution
Hi, I was just wondering if you can drive an 8 metre motor home to Gunlom?
What condition is the road? TIA
tajyd
melbourne97 contributions
There seemed to be a number of motor homes at the car park so I'd say yes - this road is really just like any other dirt road - theres nothing intense about it and we did it in a hire car.
katy r
11 contributions
Hello, i wanto to know if the acces to the pool is limited to 4x4 vehicule only or its possibel acces to 2wd. I already see that there is a trekkin walk to visit, to get to the starting point of the trekkin can do it with a 2wd car?
thanks
PrashantFiji
Waitakere City, New Zealand67 contributions
Always hear tragic stories of swimmers being attacked by crocs. Is this place safe from stray crocs
Adrian T
Perth, Australia3,645 contributions
We were there in May when it had just opened for tours and the lower pool was closed due to crocs, which was actually the case with most lower pools at that time of year but it can happen any time depending upon the rains.
The upper was open and I think it is safe all year round but is quite a steep and uneven climb up to it.
Well worth the climb though.
laycocks
Perth, Australia4 contributions
Are there any guided tours to Gunlom Falls i.e. 3 day National Park tour of Kakadu/Litchfield including Gunlom Falls starting from Darwin?
Marksies
Katherine, Australia295 contributions
Not guided, from the campground, as there is no office, but you can organise tours from Darwin, or in Kakadu centres in Jabiru and Cooinda and the Kakadu Visitors centre, or Google Kakadu and select tours and information from that.. There are short day trips from Darwin, as well as longer more involved trips as the person from Sweden suggested. Lots of options.
Rémy H
Maastricht, The Netherlands61 contributions
Hi,
We are renting a campervan 2wd. Is it possible to drive from mary river to the campground of gunlom with our hired campervan? We will be arriving in august this year.
Does the walk start from the campsite and it takes about 1,5 hour return?
Xavier S
Singapore, Singapore6 contributions
Hi, we will get to Katherine surroundings late July/early August driving a hire campervan. The insurance doesn't allow us to drive on unsealed roads. Anyone knows about companies that offer transfer to Gunlom ? Thanks. Xavier
Marksies
Katherine, Australia295 contributions
There is NO public transport to Gunlom from Katherine, or Darwin as a one destination, but options of tours can be worked out from some groups to visit Kakadu and Gunlom falls as part of a tour. Check on line or at the Darwin Visitors Centre or at Kakadu Visitors Centre. Good luck, hope you can get to see them.
Tom J
4 contributions
What camping areas are near by and can we just use a tent instead of a rooftop tent?
EndlessVoyage
California1,136 contributions
There is camping beside the parking lot to the walk up to the falls. There were many people camping in tents on the ground - I was staying elsewhere.
Tobias K
Silkeborg, Denmark3 contributions
Hi, we were thinking to visit next week as we are in Kakadu. Will there still be a water fall or has it dried out? Also is it safe to swim there? We are a family with 2 children (5 and 8 years), are there any things we should mindful of? How warm is it at the moment? Would appreciate any tips and tricks😉 Thanks
Family from Denmark
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