Parking
Use the public parking serving Lake Jabiru Park at 68 Civic Dr in Jabiru and join the lakeside walking track from the park. The loop also has other in-town access points; follow local signs and do not park on the walking track.

Kakadu National Park, NT
Relaxed lakeside loop in Jabiru with easy birdwatching and views
Overview
This is an easy, flat loop around Jabiru Lake in the heart of Jabiru township. The lakeside walking track passes through Lake Jabiru Park and combines sealed or well-maintained gravel sections with water views, picnic spots, benches and good opportunities for birdwatching.
The complete loop is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) and usually takes around 35 minutes at a casual pace. The mapped line follows the lakeside path around the lake, uses the short mapped connector at the eastern end, and returns along the lakeside section of Jabiru Drive; it is a continuous loop rather than an out-and-back. Waterfowl, Australian pelicans and the occasional black-necked stork (jabiru) may be seen around the shoreline.
This is an in-town leg-stretch rather than a wilderness hike, with virtually no sustained elevation gain. Shade can be patchy and tropical heat can be intense, especially in the middle of the day. Early morning or late afternoon is most comfortable and often best for bird activity; the track is generally usable year-round, although the dry season (May–September) is more comfortable.
Tips
Bottom line: a mellow, convenient stroll for easy birdwatching in Jabiru. It is a warm-up or wind-down walk, not a substitute for Kakadu’s escarpment and waterfall hikes.
Map & elevation
Plan your hike

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 trailhead
Jabiru Lake Walk and Wildlife“Coming into view is Jabiru Lake, which is the town's local nature spot. If you're staying in Jabiru and want a simple place to unwind, the flat walking loop around the water is perfect.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Kakadu Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
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
EasyNanguluwurr Rock Art Walk3.4 km · 2 hr · 19.4 km awayQuiet woodland stroll to an underrated rock art gallery
ModerateNawurlandja Lookout Walk0.6 km · 40 min · 21.8 km awayShort, steep stroll to Kakadu’s go-to sunset panorama
ChallengingBarrk Sandstone Walk12.1 km · 6 hr · 22 km awayA difficult 12 km loop through Burrungkuy sandstone country and Nanguluwurr rock art
EasyNourlangia Art Walk2.3 km · 2 hr · 22 km awayWorld-class rock art and big escarpment views in a 2.3 km circuitEasyBurrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock Art Walk1.5 km · 2 hr · 22 km awayA short circuit through Burrungkuy's rock art shelters and Kunwarddewardde Lookout
EasyAnbangbang Billabong Walk2.5 km · 1 hr · 22.3 km awayA serene billabong loop with big escarpment views and rich birdlife
EasyBubba Wetlands Walk4.2 km · 2 hr · 22.4 km awayEasy loop through classic Kakadu wetlands with standout birdlife
Sight · At the trailheadJabiru LakeEasy in-town loop for birds, sunsets and a quick nature fix
Gas station · 0.6 km awayJabiru Service StationJabiru’s lone fuel stop with after-hours pumps and a handy workshop
Lodging · 0.7 km awayAnbinik Kakadu ResortAboriginal-owned base with pool, gardens and ensuite campsites
Sight · 0.7 km awayMarrawuddi Arts & CultureIndigenous-owned gallery with top coffee and authentic Kakadu art
Store · 0.9 km awayJabiru FoodlandThe go-to supermarket for groceries, deli bites and takeaway
Lodging · 0.9 km awayGagudju CrocodileCrocodile-shaped hotel and the handiest base in Jabiru
Sight · 0.9 km awayJabiruIn-park hub with fuel, beds, art and tours
Lodging · 1 km awayKakadu Lodge and Caravan ParkShady stay with a lagoon pool, bistro, and easy tour pickupsParkwolf’s Kakadu ranking