The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade raised its travel advisory to Level 3 for the Northern Territory flood zones on July 12 2026. The advisory covers all areas north of Alice Springs including Kakadu National Park and the Tiwi Islands. Fourteen major highways remain closed including the Stuart Highway between Darwin and Katherine.
Flash flooding from 320 millimeters of rain since July 5 has isolated 47 remote communities and damaged 180 kilometers of road surface. The Northern Territory Emergency Service reports 12 tourist campsites evacuated with no injuries recorded. All national park campgrounds north of Katherine will stay closed until at least September 1.
Previous Level 2 advisories for the region were issued during the 2024 monsoon season when similar flooding closed the Arnhem Highway for 19 days. The current event exceeds 2024 rainfall totals by 40 percent according to Bureau of Meteorology records. Insurance claims from tourism operators have already reached 4.2 million Australian dollars.
Domestic flight cancellations at Darwin International Airport average 18 per day since July 8. Car rental companies have suspended one-way hires into the flood zone until further notice.
What this means for you
Cancel or postpone any bookings for Kakadu or Litchfield National Park through August 31 and request full refunds under force majeure clauses. Rebook domestic flights via Perth or Adelaide to avoid Darwin connections until highway access resumes. Carry extra fuel and water if driving south of Katherine because service stations remain closed on 280 kilometers of the Stuart Highway.
Monitor the NT Emergency Service app for daily road updates rather than relying on GPS navigation which shows outdated open routes. Purchase travel insurance that explicitly covers monsoon flooding before any rescheduled September trips.
Operators expect full highway reopening by September 5 with limited access to some park sections from August 20. Check park websites for phased reopening announcements rather than assuming standard seasonal schedules.