Parking
Park at the Gunlom picnic area/campground, beside the signed start of the Lookout Walk. The access road is long, unsealed and for high-clearance 4WD vehicles; the area has toilets, showers, shaded picnic areas and free gas barbecues.
Overview
About Gunlom Lookout Walk
Gunlom Lookout Walk is a short, steep 0.5 km one-way climb from the Gunlom picnic area/campground to the top of Gunlom Falls, about 1.0 km return. Parks Australia rates the walk Grade 3 and lists about 30 minutes one way; allow around 1 hour for the return, plus time for views. The marked route climbs the escarpment to broad views across Kakadu's southern hills and ridges. Another 100 m along the track leads to upper rock pools and a small waterfall.
The rough, rocky ascent is short but demanding. Polished rock around the pools can be extremely slippery when wet, so use care and follow park signage. This is crocodile country, and heat exposure is significant; carry plenty of water and follow Crocwise guidance near waterways.
Gunlom is reached by a long unsealed access road that is for high-clearance 4WD vehicles. The picnic area/campground has parking, toilets, showers, shaded picnic areas and free gas barbecues. A separate short walk from the picnic area reaches the lower plunge-pool viewing area. Check park access and safety information before setting out.
Why go
- Short, steep climb to Gunlom's upper rock pools, small waterfall and broad Kakadu views
- Gunlom picnic area/campground provides parking, toilets, showers and picnic facilities
Heads up
- Access road is long, unsealed and requires a high-clearance 4WD
- Steep, rough track with polished rock that becomes very slippery when wet
- Heat exposure and crocodile-country waterways require careful preparation
Map & elevation
The route
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
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 Gunlom Lookout 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
Crocodile Dundee's 'Echo Pool' at GunlomListen
“If you’ve seen Crocodile Dundee, you might recognize this spot. The upper pools at Gunlom are the real-life ‘Echo Lake’ from the movie—the natural infinity pool where Mick Dundee speared a barramundi.”
Plays on the road 0.1 km from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Kakadu Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Gunlom Waterfall Creek
- Kambolgie Campground
- Yurmikmik Walks: Waterfalls of the Southern Stone Country
- 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!!!!”
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.
