#1 of 32 sights in Kakadu
Sight · Kakadu National Park
Sunset floodplain panorama via superb rock art walk
Overview
Nadab Lookout crowns the Ubirr rock art site with a sweeping, 360‑degree view across the Nadab floodplain and the Arnhem Land escarpment. It’s the park’s classic sunset perch—dramatic light, vast wetlands, and that unmistakable Top End soundscape.
Yes—this is one of the park’s definitive viewpoints, made better by the world‑class rock art on the way. If you can handle a short rocky climb and don’t mind sharing it at day’s end, it’s a must.
Parkwolf’s verdictIs it worth it?Map
Local know-how
Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset to grab a good perch.
Bring plenty of water, sun protection and insect repellent—there’s no water on site.
Buy your Kakadu park pass in advance and check the road report before you go.
Follow the triangle markers for the easiest line up the rock.
Don’t linger after sunset—gates close around then and sunrise access isn’t available.
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
Exploring Ubirr's Rock Art and Floodplain Lookout“Up ahead is the turn-off for Ubirr, arguably Kakadu’s most essential stop. It has an incredible combination of world-class Aboriginal rock art galleries and a stunning scenic lookout.”
Plays as you drive up to Nadab Lookout (Ubirr) 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
A short, well‑marked walk from the Ubirr car park leads past several famous Aboriginal rock art galleries and then climbs onto the stone outcrop. Sources peg it roughly between 1–2 km with a final rocky ascent; allow 20–30 minutes up depending on pace. Follow the triangle markers for the easiest route.
Ubirr’s Main Gallery, Namarrgarn Sisters and Rainbow Serpent panels are among Kakadu’s best preserved. Ranger‑guided talks are sometimes offered and are included with your park pass—worth timing your visit for the stories alone.
From the top, the floodplain sprawls in every direction: water channels, billabongs and stone country shifting with the seasons. Sunset is the headline act—watch the plains glow while the escarpment to the east changes color.
This corner of Kakadu is rich in birdlife, especially in the wetter months—think magpie geese, egrets and brolgas working the wetlands below. You’re overlooking crocodile country, though they’re not commonly spotted from the lookout.
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
EasyUbirr Walk (Nadab Lookout)1.2 km · 1 hr · 0.5 km awayShort Aboriginal rock-art loop to Nadab Lookout and floodplain viewsEasyManngarre Rainforest Walk1.9 km · 1 hr · 2.2 km awayShort, shady rainforest loops with river views and real croc potential
EasyBardedjilidji Walk2.6 km · 2 hr · 3.2 km awayEasy 2.5 km sandstone loop with caves, rock art, and East Alligator River viewsModerateBadbong Wodjmeng sandstone river walk7.6 km · 4 hr · 3.2 km awayA demanding loop through sandstone country, floodplains and the East Alligator River.ModerateSandstone and River Bushwalk6.4 km · 4 hr · 3.6 km awayA challenging loop through Kakadu's sandstone country, pandanus pools and the East Alligator River.
Sight · 0.3 km awayUbirrAncient rock art and a sunset-famous floodplain lookout
Campground · 2 km awayMerl CampgroundShady basecamp for Ubirr sunsets and croc-spotting at Cahills Crossing
Sight · 2.3 km awayCahills CrossingReliable wild croc viewing on a tidal river causeway
Sight · 2.8 km awayGuluyambi Cultural CruiseAboriginal-guided river cruise with Arnhem Land landing and croc spottingParkwolf’s Kakadu ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
