Visitors to Kakadu National Park will soon find it easier—and safer—to explore the vast landscape on foot, with new mobile coverage upgrades delivering a welcome boost to connectivity across the park.
The $7.5 million Connecting Kakadu program, jointly funded by the Federal and NT governments alongside Telstra, has been rolling out since May 2023. Its aim is simple: to improve access to mobile service in one of Australia’s most remote and iconic national parks.
For bushwalkers this is particularly good news. Reliable reception at key locations, including the popular Gunlom campground, means visitors can now access maps, check conditions, and—crucially—contact emergency services if something goes wrong. Even those with other network providers will be able to call Triple Zero using Telstra’s network where their own service drops out.
The upgrades include two new macro towers at Jim Jim Ranger Station and along the Arnhem Highway, along with smaller cell sites at Gunlom, Gungurul, Ikoymarrwa (Mary River Ranger Station) and the Northern Information Bay.
In a park defined by its scale and isolation, these changes mark a significant step forward. While Kakadu has long been a bucket-list destination for adventurous bushwalkers, limited communication has often been a barrier for some.
With stronger connectivity now reaching deeper into the park, visitors can set out on foot with greater confidence—opening the door for more people to experience Kakadu’s remarkable landscapes safely and independently.
"Kakadu is one of Australia's most iconic national parks and we want people to be able to enjoy the region safely. It could be to access maps, post a selfie or contact emergency services - these upgrades will allow visitors to better connect while travelling in Kakadu,” says the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt.
"This new connectivity improves the visitor experience and also supports ranger operations and community safety by enabling more reliable communication in more places within the park's vast and remote terrain."