Red Lily Billabong

Overview

About Red Lily Billabong

Red Lily Billabong (Djunda) is the quiet, wild side of Kakadu—more bush camp than campground. It’s the first of three billabongs (then Bucket and Alligator) along a single access track, prized by locals for its solitude, wildlife, and big-sky floodplain scenery dotted with namesake lilies.

Why stop

Secluded bush camping beside the water
Excellent birdwatching and barramundi/saratoga fishing

Heads up

No facilities—bring all water and pack out rubbish
4WD-only track; often impassable or closed in the wet
Crocodile habitat—no swimming

If you’re after a low-key, uncrowded base with real outback vibes, this is it. The lily-cloaked water, open woodland, and wide horizons make it a gorgeous place to sit out sunrise and sunset, scan for birds, or cast a line.

Parkwolf’s verdictWhy go

Map

Where it is

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CampgroundRed Lily Billabong-12.85333, 132.49000

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Red Lily Billabong

Travel in the dry season and check road closures before you go.
Bring all your drinking water and pack out all rubbish.
Launch boats from the bank—there’s no ramp; a long bow line helps.
Give the water’s edge a wide berth and never swim—croc country.
Dawn and dusk deliver the best birdlife and photography light.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Dry season (June–November) for reliable access and clearer waterlines. Aim for early morning or late afternoon for bird activity, softer light, and cooler temps. Weekdays are typically even quieter, but this area rarely feels crowded at any time in the dry.

Getting there

Turn off the Arnhem Highway roughly 2 km past Aurora Kakadu and follow the unsealed track about 18 km through savanna to the billabongs. This is 4WD country—expect rough sections, and in the wet season the track is often closed or impassable. You can link the track with Old Jim Jim Road for a longer loop when conditions allow.

8 active Kakadu alerts

ClosureJim Jim and Twin Falls area closed for 2026Mentions Jim Jim, referenced in this guideThe Jim Jim and Twin Falls area is closed for 2026; do not visit the closed sites.Official details
CautionOld Jim Jim Road restricted to light 4WDsMentions Old Jim Jim Road, referenced in this guideOld Jim Jim Road is 4WD access only and limited to light vehicles with a maximum GVM of 4.5 tonnes. Check the current Kakadu access report before travelling.Official details

See all 8 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Kakadu Tour Guide

Your drive to Red Lily Billabong, narrated.

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.

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More about Red Lily Billabong

What to doBirdwatching: The billabong draws a variety of waterbirds—bring binoculars and linger at dawn…

Birdwatching: The billabong draws a variety of waterbirds—bring binoculars and linger at dawn and dusk.
Fishing: Locals target barramundi and saratoga. There’s no formal boat ramp; if you bring a tinny, you’ll be launching from the bank.
Camping: Pick a shady spot near the fireplaces. It’s choose-your-own-site bush camping, spread across three secluded areas near the water.

Facilities (or lack thereof)There are no toilets, no drinking water, no bins, no power, and no picnic tables.

There are no toilets, no drinking water, no bins, no power, and no picnic tables. Parking is informal. You must be fully self-sufficient and pack out everything you bring.

Safety and wildlifeThis is crocodile country—do not swim, keep well back from the water’s edge, and be vigilant…

This is crocodile country—do not swim, keep well back from the water’s edge, and be vigilant when launching boats or fishing. Expect insects; repellent and covered clothing help.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Kakadu

All Kakadu wildlife maps

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 map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Kakadu. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.