4WDing/2WDing in Litchfield and Kakadu

by Melbournite
(Melbourne)

Twin Falls in Kakadu National Park: only accessible by 4WD or air

We are planning to go to Litchfield and Kakadu and we are hoping to only take a 2WD in. Does anyone know if we will still be able to see a lot of the sights in these national parks or whether a 4WD is necessary?

Photo by Zongo69

Comments for 4WDing/2WDing in Litchfield and Kakadu

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As always: it depends
by: Birgit

It all depends how much time you have, what time of the year you go, who you are, and what you expect from your visit.

If you are happy to just tick of all the major attractions and share all the places with bus loads of other people, then you can see a lot by 2WD only.

Part of the reason that the major attractions are major attractions is that they are so easily accessible.

The main ring road around Litchfield National Park is all bitumen and most of the falls are located along that. I explain all that on the page about the Litchfield National Park attractions.

The only places you can't see without 4WD are the Lost City and the waterfalls along the southern access track (Sandy Creek Falls and Surprise Creek Falls).

In Kakadu it depends on the time of the year. Let's assume you are going during the main tourist season from June to September.

Places you can't access are Jim Jim and Twin Falls, Maguk and Gunlom, plus lesser known areas like Koolpin Gorge for example (you'd need a special permit for that anyway.) If it's your own car you could get to Gunlom and Maguk if you're game, but you can't take hire cars off the bitumen.

But all the tourist hot spots, like the Mamukala wetlands, Ubirr, Nourlangie and Yellow Water are of course accessible by 2WD. Otherwise the big tour buses wouldn't be able to go there!

For accommodation in Kakadu, if you want to stay in one of the resorts you don't need a 4WD. If you are happy to be in the big managed camp sites you don't need a 4WD. The bush camp sites are 4WD access only.

Whether you take a 2WD or 4WD totally depends on who you are and what you are hoping to get out of your trip.

Here's also another reader question, asking the same thing:
Trip To Kakadu National Park, Litchfield and Katherine Gorge. 4WD Or 2WD?

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