Hike at a Glance
Max elevation: 53m
Min elevation: 20m
Total Ascent: 34m
Hike overview
The Nawurlandja Lookout Walk in Kakadu National Park provides a rewarding short hike with panoramic views. This moderately challenging 600-metre track takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. The highlight of the walk is undoubtedly the breathtaking view that unfolds upon reaching the summit.
From the lookout, your gaze will sweep across the vast expanse of Anbangbang Billabong, framed by the majestic Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) and the dramatic Arnhem Land escarpment. The scenery is awe-inspiring year-round, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of Kakadu National Park. Whether you choose to embark on the walk early in the morning or later in the afternoon, the panorama will leave a lasting impression.
This peaceful vantage point is perfect for soaking in the scenery, whether it's the vibrant colours of a sunset or the dramatic power of a tropical storm rolling in during the summer months. As you stand atop the lookout, take a moment to appreciate the seemingly endless sea of savanna woodlands meeting the sheer escarpment – a true testament to the vastness of Kakadu.
For an even more enriching experience, consider visiting the lookout at sunset. Listen to the calls of cockatoos and kookaburras as they settle in for the night, adding a delightful soundscape to the breathtaking visual panorama.
Track grade
Grade 3 (Moderate) - Walks for Most Fitness Levels: Grade 3 on the AWTGS represents moderate walking tracks. These are ideal for walkers with some fitness who are comfortable with some hills and uneven terrain. While suitable for most ages, some bushwalking experience is recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Tracks may have short, steep hill sections, a rough surface, and many steps. The total distance of a Grade 3 walk can be up to 20 kilometers.
Walk map and GPX file
Max elevation: 53 m
Min elevation: 20 m
Total climbing: 34 m
Total descent: -34 m
GPX files, maps and content are copyright Trail Hiking Australia. Not to be copied, redistributed or uploaded to other platforms including AllTrails.
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.
Located in Kakadu National Park, the starting point lies approximately 19 kilometres south of the Bowali Visitor Centre. Travel east on the Arnhem Highway from the Centre and watch for clear signage indicating the turnoff for Nawurlandja Lookout. Follow this road for a further 12 kilometres until you reach the designated Nawurlandja Lookout carpark. Here you can conveniently park your vehicle and begin your short yet rewarding hike to the lookout itself.
Need a rental car to get you to the hike? Find one here.
Accommodation nearby
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.
Similar walks nearby
Looking for more walks in or near Kakadu National Park? Try these trails with a similar difficulty grade.
Gallery
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Acknowledgement of Country
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.





