Hike at a Glance

Australia > Northern Territory > Kakadu National Park

Quick overview: Explore the captivating Bardedjilidji Walk in Kakadu National Park, a breezy 2.5km trail that takes just over an hour to complete. This Grade 2 hike is perfect for those wanting to immerse themselves in unique sandstone formations, lush woodlands, and serene wetlands along the East Alligator River. Keep an eye out for local wildlife like the black wallaroo and delve into Aboriginal history with ancient rock art adorning a hidden cave. Don't miss this easy, yet fascinating walk in the heart of Australia's wilderness.

Length:

2.5km

Duration:

1.25 hrs

Grade:

Style:

Circuit

Max elevation: 0m

Min elevation: 0m

Total Ascent: 0m

Start: Bardedjilidji Walk Carpark

End: Bardedjilidji Walk Carpark

Kakadu National Park

Northern Territory

Nearby town: Jabiru

From state capital: 287km

Latitude: -12.432972396527893

Longitude: 132.96981453895572

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Hike overview

Bardedjilidji Walk is one of Kakadu National Park's most interesting short walks. The 2.5 kilometre trail winds through layered sandstone, woodlands and wetlands alongside the East Alligator River. You can complete it by yourself or join the guided walk on Mondays.

Bardedjilidji is the local Aboriginal word for walking track or pathway, and also refers to the roots of waterlilies growing in freshwater swamps and billabongs. Experience a number of different habitats on the trail, from sandstone formations that were islands in the sea in at the time of the dinosaurs, to monsoon vine forest and wetland areas. Look for the black wallaroo in the early morning among the shaded sandstone outcrops. Stop at the cave that provides daytime shelter for insects, geckos and bats, and which once would have been a cool shelter for Aboriginal people. Look carefully to see some rock art here, but please do not touch/rub the paintings.

Image: Travelstine, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Track grade

Grade 2 (Easy) - A Gentle Introduction to Inclines: Grade 2 on the AWTGS represents easy walking tracks that offer a slightly more challenging experience compared to Grade 1. Similar to Grade 1, no prior bushwalking experience is required. The track surface is typically hardened or compacted and may have gentle hill sections or occasional steps. The total distance of a Grade 2 walk is typically no greater than 10 kilometers. These walks are still suitable for families with a bit more experience or those seeking a gentle introduction to some inclines.

Walk map and GPX file
Bardedjilidji Walk (2.5km)

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Explore safely

Planning this hike? Most incidents develop before you even start. Safe outcomes depend on how navigation, hydration, environment, load and judgement work together. Small oversights can compound quickly in Australian conditions. See how it happens in the Hiking Safety Systems Foundations. Then use the Hiking Safety Systems, planning calculators, and make sure a trusted contact has your trip plan before heading out.

Leave a trip plan

Before you go, complete a trip intentions form and share it with a trusted contact. Agree on a Late-Back Time and ask them to call 000 (Police) if you have not checked in. A clear trip plan is one of the simplest and most effective safety steps you can take.

Planning checklists

Download the hiking preparation and safety checklists before leaving home to help you think through your plans. They help ensure important considerations are not overlooked and support safer decision-making on the trail.

Getting there

Getting to the trailhead: Kakadu National Park.

Situated within Kakadu National Park, the trailhead is easily accessible by car. If you’re travelling along the Kakadu Highway, the walk is conveniently located midway between Jabiru and Cooinda, the park’s two main service centres. The trail starts at a small car park 500 metres from the upstream boat ramp on the East Alligator River. Watch out for clear signage indicating the turn-off for the walk. Take this exit and follow the road for a short distance until you reach the designated carpark for the Mirray Lookout Walk. There, you can park your vehicle and prepare for the moderately challenging climb to the top.

Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.

Get there with Google Maps

Accommodation nearby

Find Accommodation

Find accommodation close to the trailhead including hotels, cabins, and campgrounds. Use the interactive map to explore available options in nearby towns.

Nearby towns: Adelaide River, Arnhem Land, Batchelor, Cooinda, Darwin, Gunbalanya, Humpty Doo, Jabiru, Kakadu Village, Katherine, Maningrida, Mary River, Nourlangie, Pine Creek

About the region

Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometres, Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage listing renowned for both its cultural and natural values. See breathtaking horizons from the top of a Kakadu escarpment. Cruise on the stunning Yellow Water Billabong to spot crocodiles and wildlife in their natural habitat, including millions of migratory birds who in part call the park's wetlands home.

Not only is Kakadu spectacular, but you can feel yourself come alive among the lush rainforests, rocky gorges, serene swimming pools and the oldest Aboriginal rock art in the world. With more than 5,000 Aboriginal rock art sites in the park, the Bininj/Mungguy people have called Kakadu home for some 65,000 years. Here they'll teach you about their ancient culture and the regions' dramatic seasons.

Connect with the oldest living culture on earth. The rugged and remote beauty of Kakadu has stories to share that will take your breath away and touch your heart. In Australia's biggest national park you'll find ancient landscapes with thundering waterfalls, lush rainforests, wandering wetlands, exotic wildlife and ancient rock art.

Kakadu offers unrivalled walks to immerse you in nature, satisfy your appetite for adventure, or nurture your curiosity. Only three hours' drive from Darwin, Kakadu National Park has been waiting for you.

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Trail Features (select all that apply)Aboriginal ArtAlpine HutsAlpine RegionBeach & CoastalBicycle TrailConcrete PathDog FriendlyDrinking WaterExposed LedgesFishing SpotsGoldfields & MiningGorgesGravel PathHeritageHorse RidingLakesLighthouseManual WheelchairMotorised WheelchairMountain Bike TrailOff TrailOvernight CampsitesPrams & StrollersRail TrailRainforestRiver CrossingsRiversRock ScramblingRough TrailSandy TrailScenic ViewpointsSteep TerrainSwimming SpotsTimber BoardwalkTrail RunningUndefined TrailUntreated WaterUrbanWaterfallsWell Marked Trail

Access Conditions (select all that apply)2WD Access4WD AccessAccessible ParkingAccessible ToiletBBQ FacilitiesBitumen RoadCampfire PitCamping AreaDrinking WaterEntry FeeGravel RoadLarge Car ParkPicnic ShelterPicnic TablePublic ToiletsPublic TransportSmall Car ParkSpeed BumpsSteep RoadUntreated WaterVehicle FordWinding Road

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Reviews
Bardedjilidji Walk (2.5km)

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Acknowledgement of Country

Bardedjilidji walk (2. 5km) trail hiking australia

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

February 25, 2025

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Track grade

Walk map and GPX file
Bardedjilidji Walk (2.5km)

Bardedjilidji Walk (2.5km)

Explore safely

Leave a trip plan

Planning checklists

Getting there

Accommodation nearby

About the region

Similar walks nearby

Manngarre Rainforest Walk (1.9km)

Ubirr Walk (2km)

Bowali Track (4km)

Mamukala Wetlands Walk (3km)

Gallery

Suggest an edit

Reviews
Bardedjilidji Walk (2.5km)

Bardedjilidji Walk (2.5km)

Leave a Review. Cancel reply

Acknowledgement of Country

Curated by: Darren Edwards | Trail Hiking Australia

Last modified:

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