Parking
Small Bardedjilidji Walk carpark, about 500 m from the upstream boat ramp near Cahill's Crossing.
Overview
About Bardedjilidji Walk
Why go
- Short, easy loop through sandstone outcrops, monsoon pockets, paperbark woodland, and the East Alligator River edge
- Numbered posts, a cool cave, rock art, and grinding holes reward a slow visit
Heads up
- Part or all of the track can be inaccessible in wet conditions
- Crocodiles near the river; exposed sections, mosquitoes after rain, and no toilets or drinking water
Bardedjilidji is one of Kakadu's most interesting short walks, weaving through towering sandstone pillars, small pockets of monsoon rainforest, and paperbark woodland beside the East Alligator River. A cool, shady cave, Aboriginal rock art, and deep grinding holes add cultural and natural interest.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy goMap & elevation
The route
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
8 active Kakadu alerts
- ClosureJim Jim and Twin Falls area closed for 2026The Jim Jim and Twin Falls area is closed for 2026; do not visit the closed sites.Official details
- ClosureBarrk sandstone walk closedBarrk sandstone walk is closed at the request of Traditional Owners; do not enter. Check the current Kakadu access report before travelling.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Kakadu Tour Guide
Your drive to Bardedjilidji Walk, 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.
See the Kakadu audio tourRecorded for this area
Guluyambi Cultural Cruise on the East Alligator RiverListen
“If you're looking for a boat trip with a real difference, the Guluyambi Cultural Cruise departs from a boat ramp in this area.”
Plays on the road 0.4 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Kakadu Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Cahills Crossing Crocodile Viewing
- Exploring Ubirr's Rock Art and Floodplain Lookout
- Merl Campground: Base for Ubirr and Cahills
- A River That Runs Backwards
- 111 audio storiesacross Kakadu’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Saltwater Crocodile, Water Buffalo, Frilled Dragon, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 35 trails, 54 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“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!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Bardedjilidji Walk
What to expectThis 2.
This 2.5 km loop is an easy Grade 2 walk on mostly firm natural surfaces, with rocky sections and some uneven steps. Numbered posts guide the walk through open stone country, monsoon pockets, and riverine forest. Allow about 2 hours, including time to stop at the cave, rock art, and lookouts.
Route notesThe loop starts at the Bardedjilidji Walk carpark, about 500 m from the upstream boat ramp near…
The loop starts at the Bardedjilidji Walk carpark, about 500 m from the upstream boat ramp near Cahill's Crossing. Follow the signed walking track around the sandstone outcrops and back to the carpark. The separate dashed wet-season track shown on the official map is not part of this main loop.
Heads upCrocodiles inhabit the East Alligator River: stay well back from the water's edge and obey all…
Crocodiles inhabit the East Alligator River: stay well back from the water's edge and obey all safety signs. Do not touch or rub the rock art. There are no toilets or drinking water at the trail; carry water, sun protection, and mosquito repellent, especially after rain.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Kakadu
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.
