Maguk Gorge
Maguk Gorge
4.5
About
A short monsoon rainforest walk delivers you to this stunning location where lush vegetation and beautiful wildlife is found. A pristine waterfall that flows into a crystal clear plunge pool surrounded by steep gorge walls. Located only an hours' drive south of Cooinda and is accessed off of a 14 kilometre 4WD track off Kakadu Highway.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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4.5
240 reviews
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1
ruth5ofus
Launceston, Australia17 contributions
Jul 2021
Beautiful, the walk in was so lovely, although fine sand over rocks for the last part made the rocks slippery and challenging. Bare feet worked better than trainers. It is important to note that the top pools are closed unless you apply for a permit - the website says to allow at least a week to do this! We were sorry we hadn’t done this. The bottom pool was crowded, but better later in the afternoon. Camping was lovely too.
Written 12 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bobjanh
Brisbane, Australia2,420 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
A 1km walk in from the car park and day use area along a pretty rainforest walk: last 100m or so a bit of a rock scramble to get to the pool itself. A spectacular waterhole with wonderful waterfall at the top end.
Take your swimmers and a “pool noodle” to get the most out of your visit. Great spot for a swim once it has been declared croc free for the season. The entry point to the pool itself is not very large and can get a bit congested at busy times.
Take your swimmers and a “pool noodle” to get the most out of your visit. Great spot for a swim once it has been declared croc free for the season. The entry point to the pool itself is not very large and can get a bit congested at busy times.
Written 30 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wayne Domaschenz
Ballarat, Australia229 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Maguk Falls opened yesterday after roadworks were completed , after floods from the wet season. Good timing for us, we drove the 55klm approx from Cooinda Caravan Park, the last 10klms of the highway is gravel. Luckily for us being just opened the road was in mint condition normally it can have the normal corrugated nt roads. It’s about two kilometres each way, you cross some low bits covered in water along the track then get wet feet crossing the river. No real problem but just be careful with sand on your shoes when on the rocks. The water was crystal clear, I did use my diving gear checking out the whole water hole. It’s about 5-10 m visability under water. The water was about 5 m deep over all and over 10m near the falls. Lots of different fish of all sizes, Barra, catfish, long Tom, plus a few others. We were early and a bit scared of testing the water for crocs, but soon there were a few youngsters swimming all over the pool to test lol. The walk is about 20-30 minutes each way.
Written 7 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TERESA M
15 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
Once we finally got to it, the fall and plunge pool was lovely.
We were there at the end of the dry season, therefore the road was terribly corrugated, so we took it very slow getting in and out.
Once at the carpark it was quite a walk to the pool, partially through forest on a track then over lots of rocks so wear decent shoes.
Be careful to follow the arrows.
Worh it if you have time and the ability to walk, climb over rocks.
We were there at the end of the dry season, therefore the road was terribly corrugated, so we took it very slow getting in and out.
Once at the carpark it was quite a walk to the pool, partially through forest on a track then over lots of rocks so wear decent shoes.
Be careful to follow the arrows.
Worh it if you have time and the ability to walk, climb over rocks.
Written 14 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CocoTampa123
Perth, Australia1,694 contributions
Jul 2022
A long drive in on a very corrugated road and then a long walk over rocks etc to get to the gorge. Not many tables at the car park to sit down for a picnic.
If you hav e agood 4 WD and like a challenging walk, yes do it.
If you hav e agood 4 WD and like a challenging walk, yes do it.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny P
Gold Coast, Australia164 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
4WD access only. Easy shady walk in to the creek then there is quite a lot of fun rock hopping up to the waterhole - the track is well marked and the waterhole is special. We went later in the afternoon and had it practically to ourselves.
Written 31 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claire B
15 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
After a pretty walk and some rock hopping you reach Maguk Falls. The water is refreshing and there’s plenty of space to avoid other swimmers. Worth a visit as it’s a nice place to spend a few hours for a refreshing swim and relax.
Written 29 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1TraveltheWorld
Alice Springs, Australia12,211 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Maguk, (Barramundi) gorge is located about an hour's drive south from Cooinda.
At the turnoff there is about a 15 km four-wheel drive trip on a dirt road which is a lot smoother than parts of the Twin/Jim Jim falls road.
From the car park there is about a one kilometre walk which leads to a beautiful natural plunge pool at the base of the steep gorge walls.
It was a bit eerie swimming here alone, but that is why we were hare just after the wet.
There are plenty of fish here too, so expect the odd nibble every so often.
Take the short but climb to the top of the waterfall where there are clear pools for another great swim. The views make the hike definitively worth it!
There is a bush camping area nearby with BBQ's if you want to stay the night.
At the turnoff there is about a 15 km four-wheel drive trip on a dirt road which is a lot smoother than parts of the Twin/Jim Jim falls road.
From the car park there is about a one kilometre walk which leads to a beautiful natural plunge pool at the base of the steep gorge walls.
It was a bit eerie swimming here alone, but that is why we were hare just after the wet.
There are plenty of fish here too, so expect the odd nibble every so often.
Take the short but climb to the top of the waterfall where there are clear pools for another great swim. The views make the hike definitively worth it!
There is a bush camping area nearby with BBQ's if you want to stay the night.
Written 18 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RCKIWI
Darwin, Australia12 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Don't get me wrong, the main pool at Maguk (where most people head for) is absolutely stunning, and an incredibly beautiful place to swim after a hot day exploring other areas of Kakadu National Park but.....
....if you can find the track (and I'm not going to explain how here!) head up to the top of the gorge and be truly stunned by what is up there. Private deep, smooth walled pools to swim in. Beautiful smooth rock ledges to relax on. Swim throughs to add a bit of excitement to your exploring, and waterfalls that can be sat in/ under and thoroughly enjoyed - all with a lot less people to contend with.
It is where I head for every time I am out in Kakadu (which is at least 3 or 4 times a year as I think it serious;y THAT good) and just provides one of the best places to be.
I have a number of other secret spots in Kakadu too - but I'm not sure if you'll get to know about those.......
....if you can find the track (and I'm not going to explain how here!) head up to the top of the gorge and be truly stunned by what is up there. Private deep, smooth walled pools to swim in. Beautiful smooth rock ledges to relax on. Swim throughs to add a bit of excitement to your exploring, and waterfalls that can be sat in/ under and thoroughly enjoyed - all with a lot less people to contend with.
It is where I head for every time I am out in Kakadu (which is at least 3 or 4 times a year as I think it serious;y THAT good) and just provides one of the best places to be.
I have a number of other secret spots in Kakadu too - but I'm not sure if you'll get to know about those.......
Written 25 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrey Savin
Moscow, Russia33 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
At dry season you can reach Maguc Gorge on usual car without 4WD, but road is dirt, control the speed and take care. We never visited warm rock holes before. It's amazing ! Two hours alone in Maguc Gorge, swimming and taking the sun. It was early morning and great memory for me and my wife. You plan to visit Kakadu NO, don't miss this place and better in the morning to miss the crowds!
Written 25 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a charter tour guide to Maguk and Gunlom, Gubara and Ikoymarrwa for hire out of Jabiru? We don't have a 4WD.
Written 29 June 2016
Sorry not sure. Best to contact the Kakadu information centre
Written 25 September 2016
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