Positioned on the eastern edge of Kakadu National Park, Jabiru is a charming gateway town to one of Australia’s most unique natural environments. Along with numerous recreational facilities around town, Jabiru dishes up immersive nature experiences, from river cruises and wilderness treks to crocodile spotting and barramundi fishing.

Things to do

Along with shady picnic areas and communal barbecues, Jabiru’s town centre has an Olympic-size outdoor swimming pool and ovals for playing cricket and Australian rules football. If you feel like testing your golf swing, head to Jabiru Golf Course, where you can tee off on nine holes surrounded by rugged Outback nature.

Multiple Kakadu National park tours depart from Jabiru, including river cruises and day trips to Ubirr Rock and Twin Falls. Kakadu National Park features a unique monsoon climate with rivers, marshland and coastal plains. Keep your eyes peeled for crocodiles on kayaking trips and get a bird’s-eye view during a scenic flight or helicopter ride. You can also follow an informative ranger to see Aboriginal rock art, swimming holes and waterfalls.

Looking for a unique gift or keepsake from your holiday? Visit the Bowali Visitor Centre to purchase Indigenous Australian artwork and crafts, browse informative books or watch documentaries on the surrounding region. During the dry season, you can tackle the Iligadjarr walk, a 3.8-kilometre circuit that crosses grassy floodplains along the Burdulba Billabong.

Keen anglers will appreciate the wealth of barramundi fishing opportunities around Jabiru, such as Mardugal Billabong, Jim Jim Billabong and East Alligator River. If you want to spot crocodiles, head to Cahills Crossing, East Alligator River or Yellow Water.

Getting around

Jabiru is just over 250 kilometres from Darwin along the Stuart and Arnhem highways, which takes around three hours to drive. You’ll need your own vehicle or to book tours to explore the region around Jabiru and the township.