Nestled among rugged cliffs and lush monsoon forests, the serene pool of Maguk Waterfall in Kakadu National Park is a true slice of paradise in Australia’s wild Top End. Here’s how to reach this enchanting destination and what to anticipate when you get there.
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In travel writing, there are a few unbreakable rules. One is to never decline a lounge pass; another is to avoid calling a place ‘breathtaking.’
However, all of that changes when you visit Maguk Waterfall in Kakadu National Park.
As you step out from the humid forest and catch sight of the glistening plunge pool surrounded by the dramatic red sandstone cliffs and the cascading waterfall, the only fitting description might just be that overused cliché.
Watch our video of Maguk to truly understand what I mean:
– Explore our Kakadu library for more stories about this incredible national park.
– We stayed at Cooinda Lodge, the nearest accommodation to Maguk. Find the best deals for Cooinda Lodge here.
– To discover fantastic activities and tours in Kakadu, click here.
Maguk Waterfall, Kakadu National Park
We depart from our lovely safari-style Yellow Water Retreat at Cooinda Lodge as the sun begins to rise. This is an essential tip for traveling in the Northern Territory: accomplish as much as you can before the heat sets in.
The drive to the turn-off takes just 35 minutes, thanks to the well-maintained roads and the lack of traffic at this hour. However, the journey gets a bit longer after that.
From the turn-off, there’s a 10 km stretch of unsealed road. It’s mostly manageable but may present challenges for two-wheel-drive vehicles in certain areas.
The Journey to Maguk
The trek to reach this mesmerizing location is part of the excitement. It’s only a 1 km hike to the waterfall, but some areas require you to climb over rocks and navigate carefully down into the gorge.
As the day’s heat escalates, the allure of the waterfall and a refreshing swim in its pool grows stronger.
The trail leads you through striking monsoon forests filled with peeling paperbark trees, sprawling palms, and towering anbinik trees, which are unique to Kakadu and Arnhem Land.
The hike also runs alongside a dark creek that a local Bininj guide advised us to avoid.
“We don’t swim in black water,” he cautioned, and upon seeing the creek, we completely understand his warning.
The water flows slowly, its murky depths concealing untold mysteries. If any place seemed suitable for a crocodile to hide and wait, this would be it. We wisely keep our distance from the bank.
Continuing onward, we reach the stony pools of Barramundi Gorge where the shallower river teems with wildlife—from diving birds and bitterns to butterflies and tiny frogs.
We even spot barramundi swimming in some of the deeper pools along the trek. During the dry season, this section of the river is safe for wading, crossing, and even swimming, as crocodiles can’t navigate the rocky terrain.
This is also why Maguk Waterfall and its plunge pool are safe for swimming.
In contrast, during the wet season, roads become impassable, waterways fill with saltwater crocodiles, and the once gentle waterfall transforms into a roaring torrent.
Arrival at Maguk Waterfall
Upon reaching Maguk, we find a few other visitors already there, but the beauty of the site remains undiminished.
High cliffs surrounding the pool are part of the escarpment—an expansive plateau that stretches 500 km from Nitmiluk (formerly known as Katherine Gorge), through Kakadu to the coast, and extending up to the Coburg Peninsula and Arnhem Land.
The cliffs lend a ‘hidden paradise’ vibe to the pool, and it’s easy to see why it’s sacred to the Bininj and Mungguy people. While they traditionally do not swim here, they allow visitors to do so, with a spirit of respect.
The cool water revitalizes us and washes away the dust and heat, while the soothing sound of the waterfall clears our minds. Leaving this magical spot proves to be a challenge.
When we finally return to the car, we drive along the unsealed road until we reach a set of impressive cathedral termite mounds we noticed on our way in.
These massive structures never cease to amaze, and they make for a perfect photo op.
The drive back to Cooinda is peaceful, filled with quiet reflection on what a truly enchanting place Maguk is.
