Hike at a Glance

Quick overview: Experience a cultural journey with the Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Gallery Walk in Kakadu National Park, Australia. This easy, 1.9km circuit walk lets you explore ancient rock art in a unique outdoor museum. Notable attractions include the Anbangbang gallery and shelter, and the Kunwarddewardde lookout offering breathtaking views of the Arnhem Land escarpment. Ideal for casual bushwalkers and history enthusiasts alike, this trail provides a rich fusion of nature, art, and Aboriginal culture.

Length:

1.9km

Duration:

2 hrs

Grade:

Style:

Circuit

Max elevation: 60m

Min elevation: 29m

Total Ascent: 81m

Start: Nourlangie Carpark

End: Nourlangie Carpark

Kakadu National Park

Northern Territory

Nearby town: Jabiru

From state capital: 283km

Latitude: -12.866939040824592

Longitude: 132.8116983175278

Overview

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Hike overview

Nestled within Kakadu National Park, the Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Gallery Walk offers a unique opportunity to explore some of the world's oldest and most impressive rock art. This 1.9-kilometre loop trail, accessible year-round, takes you on a visual journey through time, transforming the landscape into an outdoor cultural museum.

The walk highlights the deep connection between the traditional Aboriginal custodians and their land. Rock art (known as kunbim) serves as a powerful expression of cultural identity and a link to the past. Notably, the act of creation holds greater significance than the individual artwork itself, leading to the layering of paintings across various eras.

One of the walk's focal points is the Anbangbang gallery and shelter. This site showcases a remarkable concentration of artistic styles, depicting everything from creation beings like Namarrkon (the lightning man) to fascinating X-ray style animal figures and even intriguing portrayals of European sailing ships, a testament to early contact.

The walk also incorporates the Kunwarddewardde lookout, offering breathtaking views of the Arnhem Land escarpment with its towering sandstone cliffs and sprawling savanna woodlands. During the dry season, seasonal guided tours delve deeper into the region's geology, archaeology, and the traditional custodians' way of life. These tours provide insights into how the Anbangbang shelter was utilized and shed light on the enduring cultural connection to the land.

Whether you choose to explore independently or join a guided tour, the Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Gallery Walk promises a captivating journey through time, culture, and art.

Image: Saint amand, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Walk map and GPX file

Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Gallery Walk (1.9km)

Total distance: 1889 m
Max elevation: 60 m
Min elevation: 29 m
Total climbing: 81 m
Total descent: -81 m

Getting there

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

Getting to the trailhead in Kakadu National Park.

Located within Kakadu National Park, the trailhead is accessible via Stuart Highway. After entering the park through the park gates on the highway, follow the signs for Nourlangie Road. This road winds for approximately 25 kilometres, passing through scenic pockets of the park before arriving at the main park complex for Burrungkuy (Nourlangie). Here, you’ll find designated parking for the rock art sites, where your exploration of the Burrungkuy Gallery Walk begins.

Get there with Google Maps

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.

Similar trails nearby

Looking for hikes and trails in Kakadu National Park or nearby? Try these walks with a similar grade.

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.

Explore safe

Plan ahead and hike safely! Carry enough water, pack layers for changing conditions, and bring safety gear like a torch, PLB, and reliable communication device. Check official sources for trail updates, closures, and access requirements, and review local weather and bushfire advice. Most importantly, share your plans with someone before you go. Being prepared makes for a safer and more enjoyable hike! Stay Safe, Explore More, and Always #ExploreSafe.

Packing checklists

What you carry in your pack depends on factors like weather, terrain, and your adventure type. Not sure what to bring? My free planning, food, and packing checklists are a great starting point, covering day hikes, overnight trips, and multi-day adventures. Use them to customise your kit and always prioritise safety.

Let someone know

Before heading out, take a moment to fill out your trip intentions form. It’s a quick way to share your hike details with family or friends. If something goes wrong, they can notify emergency services, ensuring a faster response and peace of mind. Stay safe and enjoy your adventure

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Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Gallery Walk (1.9km)

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Acknowledgement of Country

Burrungkuy (nourlangie) gallery walk (1. 9km)

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.

Hike at a Glance

Hike overview

Gallery

Walk map and GPX file

Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Gallery Walk (1.9km)