Campground · Kakadu National Park
Quiet bush campground with hot showers and boat ramp access
Overview
Mardugal (often shown as Mardukal) is a paid, seasonal bush campground just south of Cooinda, split into two areas: Campground 1 and Campground 2. It’s a low-key, well-managed base close to wetlands and billabongs, with plenty of space and shade.
Map
Local know-how
Buy your Kakadu park pass online before you roll in.
Bring all your drinking water; on-site taps aren’t potable.
Pick the non‑generator area for the quietest nights.
Time chores around dusk when mosquitoes are worst.
Use the boat ramp for early-morning barramundi sessions; never swim.
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Kakadu Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Kakadu National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Kakadu audio tourRecorded for this place
Mardugal Campground“You're coming up on Mardugal Campground, a popular bush camp that serves as a quieter alternative to staying in the main Cooinda area.”
Plays as you drive up to Mardugal Campground in the Parkwolf Kakadu Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
This is the quieter, simpler alternative near Cooinda—close enough for Yellow Water cruises and day trips, but far enough to feel properly in the bush. Campground 2, in particular, is praised for privacy and a peaceful vibe.
Expect wallabies wandering through, big flutters of bats in the evening, and rich birdlife around the wetlands. Crocodiles inhabit all local waterways—great for spotting (and boating), not for swimming.
Launch from the on-site boat ramp for classic Kakadu fishing—barramundi and saratoga are the headline species. A boat makes a big difference here.
Short strolls like the Kungardun Woodlands Walk and the Mardukal Billabong Walk are close by if you want to stretch your legs without a long drive.
Wildlife
1,079 sightingsSaltwater CrocodileMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
121 sightingsWater BuffaloMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
76 sightingsFrilled DragonMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
116 sightingsRed-tailed Black CockatooMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
101 sightingsBrolgaMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
299 sightingsMagpie GooseMost seen around 5 PMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Kakadu. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
EasyMardukal Billabong Walk1.6 km · 30 min · 0.2 km awayShady billabong return walk with standout birdlife beside the campground
EasyYellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba) Boardwalk0.6 km · 15 min · 4.1 km awayShort, flat stroll to epic croc and bird views at sunset
Sight · 2.9 km awayCooinda AirportScenic flight launchpad beside Cooinda Lodge and Yellow Water
Restaurant · 3 km awayBarra Bar & BistroCasual bushfood bistro at Cooinda with alfresco fairy light vibes
Lodging · 3.1 km awayCooinda Lodge KakaduCentral base for Yellow Water cruises, with pools, bar, and fuel
Campground · 3.1 km awayGagudju Lodge Cooinda Caravan ParkFull‑service campground at Yellow Water, base for cruises and wildlife
Gas station · 3.1 km awayPumaHandy fuel stop at Cooinda with diesel and hot drinks
Sight · 3.5 km awayWarradjan Aboriginal Cultural CentreAboriginal-led museum of stories, art and country near Cooinda
Sight · 4.1 km awayYellow Water CruisesWetland cruise for crocs, birds and golden light
Sight · 4.1 km awayYellow Water (Ngurrungurrudjba)Croc-filled billabong with standout sunrise cruises and epic birdlifeParkwolf’s Kakadu ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
