Pros & cons
PROS
- Remote, quiet bush camping away from crowds
- Excellent barramundi fishing on a big billabong
CONS
- No facilities at all—no water, toilets, bins or power
- Long, rough 4WD-only access with seasonal closures and crocodile risk
Overview
Four Mile Hole is Kakadu’s classic bush-camp experience: a remote, no-frills spot tucked beside a vast billabong. It’s beloved by anglers and anyone who prefers solitude over services.
Getting There & Seasonality
Access is via a rough, corrugated 4WD track about 48 km off the Arnhem Highway, with the turn-off roughly 2 km from the park entry station. The road is often closed for much of the year due to flooding and damage; it typically opens in the dry (around June to October/November). Always check current park road reports before committing.
What to Expect
There are no marked sites—just choose a patch of shade well back from the water. There’s no formal boat ramp, but people do launch suitable boats from the bank. Sunrises and sunsets can be gorgeous over the open water and floodplains, with the soundtrack of bird calls and the occasional splash.
Facilities & Rules
This is true bush camping: no drinking water, no toilets, no showers, no power, no rubbish bins, no picnic tables, and no generators or alcohol. Campfires are permitted in fire pits when conditions allow. Camping is not permitted within 50 meters of the water’s edge.
Wildlife & Fishing
This billabong is a draw for serious fishers chasing barramundi and saratoga. Birdlife is excellent, and you may spot raptors and a variety of waterbirds. Both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles live here—assume they’re present even if you don’t see them.
Safety First: Be Crocwise
Never swim. Keep well back from the water, supervise children closely, and avoid the water’s edge at all times. Set camp well away from the bank, heed closures, and carry everything you need for a self-sufficient stay.
What to Bring
Bring all water, food, and rubbish bags (pack out everything), plus toilet supplies, sun protection, mosquito repellent, shade, fishing gear, and 4WD recovery gear. There are no nearby shops or fuel once you turn off the highway.
Who Will Love It
Hardy, self-sufficient 4WD campers and dedicated anglers. If you want amenities or easy access, skip this one.
Best Time to Visit
Dry season when the road is open. Aim for early morning and late afternoon for birdlife and the best light; weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends when local fishers are more likely to visit.
Where it is
-12.5708, 132.2189Tips for Four Mile Hole Campground
- 01Use a high-clearance 4WD and expect corrugations for the last 48 km.
- 02Camp at least 50 m from the water and never approach the edge.
- 03Bring all water and pack out every bit of rubbish—there are no bins.
- 04Check park road reports; access commonly closes outside the dry season.
- 05Dawn and dusk offer the best fishing and bird activity with softer light.
Amenities
Near Four Mile Hole Campground
All places →All trails →
19.1 mi awayGungarre WalkFlat billabong loop with big birdlife and monsoon forest vibesEasy · 2.2 mi · 1.5 hr
19.1 mi awayKungarre WalkEasy loop to a bird-rich billabong and shaded monsoon forestEasy · 2.2 mi · 1.5 hr
24.6 mi awayMamukala Wetlands WalkEasy loop with superb birdwatching from a serene wetland hideEasy · 1.9 mi · 1.3 hr
24.6 mi awayMamukala WetlandsQuiet bird hide with late-dry flocks and a lily-dotted billabongTrailhead · Restroom
26.7 mi awayRed Lily BillabongSecluded bush camp beside a lily-studded billabongCampground
27.4 mi awayWaldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head) CampgroundOnly coastal beach campground, remote and wildRestroom · Parking
27.4 mi awayWaldak Irrmbal (West Alligator Head)Remote coastal headland with solitude and renowned barra fishingCampground · Scenic Viewpoint
30.2 mi awayYellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) BoardwalkShort, flat stroll to epic croc and bird views at sunsetEasy · 0.7 mi · 15 min
