Merl campground sits in the Jim Jim Creek area of Kakadu — not the most-visited part of the park, which is precisely why it’s worth making the effort. The unsealed road in means you leave the highway traffic behind, and the campground itself is surrounded by monsoon forest that comes alive with birdlife from the moment the light changes at dawn.
This is a gateway campground for two of Kakadu’s most spectacular destinations: Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls. Both require further driving and walking from here, but Merl gives you a base to do them in the cool of early morning, which makes a considerable difference in this climate. Jim Jim Falls drops 150 metres into a plunge pool with dark tannin-stained water and paperbark-lined banks — in the dry season when the flow has eased, the pool is swimmable and extraordinary. Twin Falls requires a short boat trip and walk; it’s more work but arguably more beautiful.
The campground itself is set in good shade with covered BBQ areas and reasonable facilities for a remote national park site. Cold showers, flush toilets — not glamping, but comfortable enough for multi-night stays. Night temperatures in the dry season (May–September) are pleasant, sometimes genuinely cool.
Crocodile warnings apply across all waterways in Kakadu — both saltwater and freshwater species are present. Do not swim in billabongs or rivers unless a sign specifically says swimming is safe. The Jim Jim plunge pool is assessed seasonally; check current signage.
Jabiru, 60km away, has a supermarket, fuel, a pub, and a medical clinic. Cooinda Lodge (30km) has fuel and accommodation if you need a closer option. The drive into the Jim Jim area requires a 4WD; the track is corrugated and seasonally closed — check current conditions with Parks Australia before heading out.