By Mel Brautigam
There are few places in Australia as instantly iconic – or as beautifully remote – as Gunlom Falls in Kakadu National Park. And now, after a long-awaited hiatus, Kakadu’s most Instagrammable rock pools will be back open for business – just in time for the 2025 dry season and the highly anticipated cinema release of the remastered Crocodile Dundee, the film that first catapulted Gunlom Falls onto the world stage.
Yes, Gunlom is also remembered as “Echo Lake” – the scene where Mick Dundee spears a barramundi, barbecues goanna, and impresses Sue with a dip in the cool, croc-free waters in the world famous Crocodile Dundee movie from 1986.
The reopening is not just a celebration of nature, but a significant step forward in Kakadu’s tourism journey. A new and culturally sensitive walkway to the upper pools has been completed, giving visitors easier access to those breathtaking panoramic views – all while respecting the sacred sites and Traditional Owner heritage that make this place so spiritually significant.
“There is no destination in Australia more culturally unique than Kakadu,” says Kakadu Tourism Chair, Lauren Ganley. “The reopening of Gunlom Falls is part of a wider program to upgrade infrastructure so that visitors can better appreciate Kakadu’s natural wonders.”
Key things to know before you go:
Croc-free swimming: Gunlom’s upper pools are a safe, refreshing reward for the steep 15–20-minute hike – perfect from May to October. (Weather permitting – always check Parks Australia access and plan your visits – http://www.parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/access)
Located in Kakadu’s southern stone country, Gunlom is a 4WD-only track, about an hour from Cooinda and 4.5 hours from Darwin.
The new track to the upper rockpools offers an improved, respectful route that preserves sacred rock art nearby.
Stay nearby at Cooinda Lodge or Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru, both offering immersive Top End experiences.
And the timing couldn’t be better. The reopening coincides with a global revival of Crocodile Dundee fever – with a digitally remastered version hitting cinemas on May 8, and the companion documentary, Love of an Icon: The Legend of Crocodile Dundee, already screening across the country.
“The timing of the reopening is significant,” says Ganley, noting that new direct Qantas flights from Singapore to Darwin will make Kakadu more accessible to international travellers – especially those from Europe, where the Crocodile Dundee legacy still runs strong. “We are hoping that the Gunlom reopening will happen in time for one of Kakadu’s most popular events, A Taste of Kakadu from 23 – 25 May, an immersive celebration of bush food, culture, and country. It would deliver the ultimate Kakadu experience for visitors.”
Looking ahead, the region is preparing for a boom in visitors, with upgrades underway at Cooinda Lodge (think luxe glamping with ensuites), and more attractions like Twin Falls set to reopen next year.
With Gunlom Falls now back on the dry season itinerary, this just might be the most unforgettable way to experience Kakadu.
For accommodation and tour experiences, check out Tourism Top End or Tourism Kakadu
There is so much to see and do in Kakadu National Park, we recommend you stay a few days and explore this magnificent part of the Top End.
Follow our Facebook page @territorysavvy for more destinations to explore in the Northern Territory.
