Best 11 Waterfalls for Your Northern Territory Bucket List

If you have a trip to the Northern Territory on your Aussie Bucket List, be sure to save each of your favourite waterfalls below to your own Aussie Bucket List profile.

The Best 11 Waterfalls for Your Northern Territory Bucket List

1 - Gunlom Falls and Plunge Pool

Image credit: Tourism Australia

Gunlom Plunge Pool, located on Waterfall Creek in World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, is a magical combination of seasonal waterfall and serene plunge pool, with picnic areas shaded by tall gums. From the top of Gunlom you will be rewarded with sweeping vistas of three habitats of the southern hills and ridges of the park - stone country, woodland and riparian (riverine) areas. At the top take a relaxing and well-deserved dip in the crystal clear pools. If something more sedate is more your style, take the flat easy walk to Murrill Billabong for some great birdwatching, or follow the short walking track to the main pool below the seasonal waterfall.

Bring your lunch and enjoy the grassed, shady picnic area. If you're staying over at the popular camping area (not far from the pool and waterfall), you'll appreciate the facilities such as the solar-powered hot showers.

Australian Traveller voted the Gunlom Top Pools within Australia's Top 100 best views and Hooroo has also recently voted Gunlom as a finalist in Australia's 'Secret Spots'.

For further information and to add Gunlom Falls and Plunge Pool to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

2 - Twin Falls Gorge

Image credit: NT Government

Twin Falls is set in the magnificent World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. One of Kakadu’s big two waterfalls, Twin Falls gorge has a split cascade that plunges from a 150 m high cliff face into a deep pool. In the dry season, the waterfall slows to a trickle and you can walk right to the base of the imposing escarpment. Board the boat shuttle to Twin Falls, then tackle a walking track over boulders and sand to get to the boardwalk. Tickets for the boat shuttle can be purchased at the Bowali Visitor Centre, Twin Falls or commercial outlets. During the dry season the waterfall slows to a trickle.

Access isn’t possible during the wet season due to flooding but scenic flights are a great way to see the falls in full flow while taking in Kakadu’s vast landscape.

Add Twin Falls Gorge in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory to your Aussie Bucket List if you enjoy hiking, nature and exploring Australia's great outdoors.

Allow 2 hours to explore.

See it: June to November, high clearance 4WD with snorkel

4WD advice: From Karnamarr travel 8 km towards Jim Jim Falls, turn right and travel a further 10 km to Twin Falls. Engage 4WD. The last section involves a deep water crossing at Jim Jim Creek. Allow half an hour from Jim Jim Falls, one way.

A park pass is required to enter Kakadu National Park. Save time on your holiday and purchase your Kakadu park pass online before you leave home.

For further information and to add Twin Falls Gorge to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

3 - Buley Rockhole

Image credit: Tourism Australia

Enjoy a refreshing swim in the cascading pools of Buley Rockhole. This popular swimming spot, in the magnificent Litchfield National Park, is a great place to wind down after exploring the park. Wade through the pools, absorb the scenic bush surrounds or sit and relax, as the cool water rolls over your shoulders. Open for most of the year.

For further information and to add Buley Rockhole to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

4 - Wangi Falls

Image credit: Tourism Australia

Wangi Falls is the best-known and most popular attraction in Litchfield National Park - a park renowned for its accessibility and pristine natural beauty. The falls are found near the western boundary of the park, 150 kilometres south of Darwin along sealed roads. Relax in the expansive manicured lawns of the picnic area and watch the water from the two falls cascade over the rock escarpments into the large plunge pool below. Take a dip in the pool, which is surrounded by lush monsoon rainforest.

There is a kiosk, picnic tables and barbecues with a camp ground and hot showers nearby. There are various walking tracks, including a three kilometre loop track that takes you up and over the falls and back to the car park, or a return option to the Treetop viewing platform.

The falls are regularly closed to swimming during the tropical summer from October to March, as currents in the pool can become strong and dangerous. During summer, the fast-flowing falls make for spectacular photography. At these times the kiosk and picnic facilities remain open.

For further information and to add Wangi Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

5 - Florence Falls

Image credit: Tourism Australia

Located in Litchfield National Park, the spectacular Florence Falls cascade into a plunge pool, set in a pocket of monsoon forest. Enjoy the easy three minute walk from the car park to the scenic viewing platform high above the falls for panoramic views of the gorge, open valley, Florence Falls and the waterhole below. Note the contrast between the wet monsoon forest and the dry sandstone plateau. Stretch your legs by following the gorge rim walk down the stairs to the valley floor. A seat at the halfway mark provides the opportunity for a breather and a photo. Continue on to the plunge pool for a refreshing dip year-round in the crystal clear waters.

The one kilometre moderate grade Shady Creek walk will loop you back, along a stream through the rainforest-filled gorge, then through the woodlands back to Florence Creek. Bring a picnic and stop here for a break, complete with the sound of the creek bubbling past. It's then just a short stroll to the car park. Camping available nearby at Florence Falls 2WD or Old 4WD campgrounds. Florence Falls provides Link Walk track access to Litchfields' challenging 39 kilometre overnight Tabletop Track hike.

For further information and to add Florence Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

6 - Southern Rockhole (falls)

Image credit: NT Government

Southern Rockhole is located on the Windolf bush walking track. It is roughly an 8km return bush walk from the car park. You will be amazed by the beauty of the landscape on this walk, and when you arrive at Southern Rockhole you will be taken in by the waterfall and the escarpment's sandstone rock, absolutely stunning, magnificent.

The Southern Rockhole is a seasonal waterfall, located near the top of the first gorge. This Rockhole is 4km (each way) by foot, or alternatively you can catch a ferry. Boat ferries are available either one-way (with the option of walking one way), or return. The boat ferry will take you within 150m of the Rockhole, you are then required to walk the remainder of the way.

The walk is not a man-made path, and is rock-hopping the majority of the way in. As such, a moderate level of fitness and mobility is required.

Swimming is only permitted when the Rockhole has been opened by Parks and Wildlife Services.

For further information and to add Southern Rockhole (falls) to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

7 - Motor Car Falls

Image credit: Tourism NT

Part of the Yurmikmik walks, the long trek to Motorcar Falls is worth the effort. This small waterfall is a particular favourite in the tropical summer, when Kakadu's larger falls tend to be inaccessible. Motor Car Creek is surrounded by lush monsoon forest and is a shady retreat for the NT heat. Take it easy on the gravel road there and back.

7.5 km return | 4 hours

See it: Almost year round. May close in the peak of tropical summer.

A park pass is required to enter Kakadu National Park. Save time on your holiday and purchase your Kakadu park pass online before you leave home.

For further information and to add Motor Car Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

8 - Northern Rockhole Falls

Image credit: NT Government

Northern Rockhole, in Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), is an enjoyable half day walk from the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre at Katherine Gorge. It's also a lovely lunch spot on the first day of the iconic Jatbula Trail. You'll climb over dark volcanic rocks to reach the base of the falls, where you can see many layers of sedimentary rocks in the cliff face. A lovely swimming spot, in the early half of the year, is usually a single drop waterfall that you can bathe beneath. As it starts to dry out, the smooth green pool provides unusual 'must see' reflections.

You can do the return walk from the Nitmiluk Visitors Centre to Northern Rockhole in a day. Walkers must register at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre and will need to book a short Ferry ride to cross the Katherine River, which you can book at the Visitors Centre.

For further information and to add Northern Rockhole Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

9 - Leliyn (Edith Falls)

Image credit: Tourism NT

Leliyn (Edith Falls) is located on the western side of Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), a 60 kilometre drive north of Katherine along the Stuart Highway. The lush, grassy campsites in a scenic bush setting make Leliyn an idyllic spot for a camping. A well-appointed kiosk provides a welcome meal for those who have just finished walking the Jatbula Trail or those just hungry after a swim. You can enjoy swimming in the paperbark and pandanus fringed natural pool at the base of the falls most of the year, although it may be closed to swimming at times between November through to April.

The area is great for bushwalking with the 2.6 kilometre Leliyn Trail offering a challenging walk along a steep, rocky loop. There is a chance for a refreshing swim in the upper pool of Leliyn, half way around the trail. You can also enjoy the longer 9 kilometre return walk to Sweetwater Pool, a tranquil swimming hole. Leliyn (Edith Falls) is the finishing point of the 62 kilometre Jatbula Trail walking track, which begins at Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge).

For further information and to add Leliyn (Edith Falls) to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

10 - Tolmer Falls

Image credit: NT Government

Tolmer Falls is one of the most spectacular falls in the magnificent Litchfield National Park. It cascades over two high escarpments into one deep plunge pool. Accessed by sealed road, the falls are located near the western boundary of the park, 85 kilometres south of Darwin as the crow flies. A short walk takes you to 2 viewing platforms at the top of the gorge, opposite the most spectacular waterfalls in the park. Return to the carpark via the 1.6 kilometre Tolmer Falls loop walk - an easy walk (that is rocky in parts) that takes about 45 minutes. Follow the path through typical Top End sandstone country, along Tolmer Creek and a tributary, past pristine rock pools.

Swimming is not permitted.

Explorer Frederick Henry Litchfield named the falls after his late father's colleague in the South Australia Police, Alexander Tolmer.

For further information and to add Tolmer Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

11 - Jim Jim Falls

Image credit: Tourism Australia

Whether they are raging with water or reduced to a mere trickle, the majestic Jim Jim Falls are a sight to behold at the end of a challenging four-wheel drive track in the southern escarpment country of Kakadu National Park. Jim Jim Falls is an imposing 200 metre high waterfall. See it from the air during the tropical season when water roars over the drop and the road is impassable. Take the challenging drive in the dry when the falls are reduced to a trickle to get up close. Marvel at the contrast between the red ochre of the Arnhem Land escarpment and the white sandy beaches. It's worth the 900 metre walk across the rocks to take a dip in the crystal clear water of the plunge pool.

Turn east off the Kakadu Highway 43 kilometres south of the Bowali Centre. Then travel a further 60 kilometres along the four-wheel drive tracks. Allow two hours one-way. Please note speed limits and drive safely, as the last 10 kilometres of track includes areas of soft sand.

An entry fee is required to enter Kakadu National Park. For further information and to add Jim Jim Falls to your Aussie Bucket List, see HERE.

We hope that you are able to tick each of the best waterfalls in the Northern Territory, Australia off your Aussie Bucket List soon! Feel free to browse our other blog posts for further inspiration on travelling Australia.

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Written by Samantha Raine - Aussie Bucket List Founder & Travel Writer

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