Maguk

Top choice in Kakadu National Park


Though it's unlikely you'll have dreamy Maguk to yourself, you might time it right to have the glorious natural pool and falls between just a few of you. The 2km-return walk in from the car park passes through monsoon forest rich in endemic anbinik trees and then opens out into a nicely bouldered river section. Count on about an hour's walking, plus swimming time. The track in here is a rough, 10km corrugated track lined with termite mounds.

Where the trail emerges from the forest into a broader valley and where the marked trail crosses the river to the right, stay on the left bank (or return here later) to climb up high above the falls for great views and a series of small rock pools to plunge into.

Wildlife here includes occasional freshwater crocs (swimming is generally safe but check the signs) as well as birds such as rainbow pittas and emerald doves.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kakadu National Park attractions

1. Gunlom

8.57 MILES

Gunlom is a superb escarpment waterfall 40-odd kilometres south of Maguk and 37km along an unsealed, though well-graded, gravel road. The reward is a…

2. Twin Falls

23.34 MILES

Twin Falls flows year-round (no swimming), but half the fun is getting here, involving a little boat trip (adult/child $15/free, 7.30am-5pm, last boat 4pm…

3. Jim Jim Falls

27.19 MILES

A sheer 215m drop, Jim Jim is awesome after rain (when it can only be seen from the air), but its waters shrink to a trickle by about June.

4. Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre

28.98 MILES

About 1km from the Cooinda resort (an easy 15-minute walk), the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre depicts Creation stories and has an excellent…