Sight · Kakadu National Park
Secluded waterfall with a deep emerald pool and wet-season access
Overview
Tucked in the Yurmikmik walks area in southern Kakadu, Motor Car Falls is a small, photogenic cascade dropping into a deep emerald pool framed by monsoon forest and sandstone. It’s a genuine hidden gem—tranquil, scenic, and typically far less crowded than the park’s headline waterfalls.
When tropical downpours shut access to bigger waterfalls, Motor Car Falls often remains a go‑to for a lush wet‑season experience—flowing water, rainforest green, and far fewer people. Even in the dry, the setting feels serene, with just a gentle trickle for ambience.
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Local know-how
Start at first light to avoid the heat and enjoy better wildlife and photos.
Check current park alerts for access changes and crocodile advisories before swimming.
There are two car parks; the unsigned one a further 1 km along Gimbat Road shortens the walk.
Wear sturdy shoes—the final approach involves boulder hopping over large rocks.
Carry all the water you need; there’s no drinking water or services on site.
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 tourMore 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
Expect a 7.5–8 km return, well‑marked track from the Yurmikmik car park. It’s mostly straightforward and moderately graded, with a rocky, boulder‑hopping finale into the amphitheatre of the falls. Plan on 2–4 hours return depending on conditions and pace. The early sections can be exposed and hot; the last hundred metres are the only real scramble. A 4WD is recommended to reach the area, especially in or after wet weather.
The plunge pool is clear, deep, and inviting when conditions allow, and many visitors make this their cool‑down swim after the hike. As always in Kakadu, be crocodile‑wise: seasonal conditions change quickly, and you should follow current advisories before entering the water. In the dry, the flow dwindles and water levels can drop—great for a quiet dip, but not for jumping.
Listen for birdsong along the creek corridor and watch for wallaroos on the approach. Around the pool, you might spot long‑neck turtles, small fish and even cherubin in the clear water.
There are no facilities at the falls or along the track—no toilets, no water, no store—so arrive self‑sufficient. Bring plenty of drinking water, sun protection, sturdy footwear for the rocky sections, and snacks. Guided tours operate here if you’d prefer local knowledge and logistics handled.
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
Parkwolf’s Kakadu ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
