Australia · Kakadu, Northern Territory

Jim Jim Falls

A sheer sandstone escarpment towers over a plunge pool that, in the dry season when the falls themselves often stop flowing, becomes one of the most dramatic swimming holes in the Top End. Reaching it requires a rugged 4WD track that closes completely once the wet season monsoon arrives.

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Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0

UNESCO World HeritageOne of Kakadu's most dramatic escarpment plunge pools Essentials guide

Jim Jim Falls drops 215 metres (705 ft) on the Jim Jim Creek, inside Kakadu National Park. It is a plunge-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Jabiru, with JAB the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated hard.

Only accessible by 4WD in the dry season (Jun-Aug/Sep); the wet season road closure cuts off ground access entirely.

What you can do here

Scenic flights

Microlights, floatplanes and fixed-wing sightseeing runs over falls you cannot otherwise take in whole.

Find scenic flights here

Swimming

Plunge pools, natural infinity pools and the occasional lip pool you can legally sit in.

Find swimming here

Hiking

From ten-minute boardwalks to multi-day approaches through cloud forest.

Photography

Light angles, moonbows, spray management and the hours that actually work.

When to go

Only accessible by 4WD in the dry season (Jun-Aug/Sep); the wet season road closure cuts off ground access entirely.

Entry: Kakadu National Park pass required

Getting there

Base townJabiru
AirportJAB
CountryAustralia
RegionKakadu, Northern Territory, Oceania
AccessHard — a serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide

Flights to JAB Car hire Route options

On the map

-13.2653, 132.8489

Quick answers

How tall is Jim Jim Falls?

Jim Jim Falls drops 215 metres (705 feet). It is a plunge-type waterfall on the Jim Jim Creek.

When is the best time to visit Jim Jim Falls?

Peak flow is June to August. Only accessible by 4WD in the dry season (Jun-Aug/Sep); the wet season road closure cuts off ground access entirely.

What can you do at Jim Jim Falls?

Beyond the viewpoints: scenic flights, swimming, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated hard — a serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide.

How do you get to Jim Jim Falls?

The usual base is Jabiru, and the closest airport is JAB. A serious approach: distance, altitude, a boat, or a guide from there. Kakadu National Park pass required.