Road trip guide: Conquering the Jim Jim Falls

Jim Jim Falls is a colossal 200 metre high waterfall located in the Northern Territory of Australia. Extreme care is required: threat of Saltwater Crocodiles. The road to the waterfall is a single lane 4WD track with lots of small bumps, and some sandy sections.

Located at the south end of Kakadu National Park, the road to the imposing waterfall is unsealed and corrugated. It’s called Jim Jim Road. It’s in good conditions up to the camping area, and then 10 km of 4WD only track. The last 10 kilometres of track includes areas of soft sand. This is definitely 4WD only, it is rough and corrugated in patches and sandy with drifts and sand banks in other places, so considerably a slow trip. Check your car rental conditions before driving to Jim Jim Falls.

The track is closed during the wet season. Heavy or prolonged rain can cause local flash floods that cover the road with water or wash out culverts or bridges. Drivers should be aware of fast flowing water and the potential presence of crocodiles in water crossings in Kakadu National Park. Do not enter the water and stay inside the vehicle at all times while crossing water bodies in vehicles. Always check the parks information for water height. There is a deep water crossing at Jim Jim that must be crossed to continue onwards to Twin Falls.

The track is 57.2 km (35.54 miles) long, starting from the paved State Route 21 (Kakadu Highway). There’s plenty of parking at the end of the road. The river crossings can be a bit tricky in the wet. Avoid driving in the dark. Swimming is not permitted (Saltwater crocodiles inhabit this area). Allow two hours one-way.