Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Joshua Burgoyne MLA, NT Minister for Corporate and Digital Development
Marion Scrymgour MP, Special Envoy for Remote Communities and Member for Lingiari
Visitors to Kakadu National Park can now stay connected at more iconic locations, thanks to a joint $7.5 million investment from the Albanese Government, the Finocchiaro Government and Telstra.
The 'Connecting Kakadu project' is now complete, delivering improved mobile coverage across the park, enabling more visitors to make calls, access maps and share their experiences in real-time while exploring Kakadu's popular campgrounds and walking tracks.
Completed works include upgrading 3 macro cell towers at Jim Jim Ranger Station, Cooinda lodge and Arnhem Highway and 8 small cell sites:
- Gungurul
- Ikoymarrwa (Mary River Ranger Station)
- Northern Information Bay (Arnhem Highway)
- Karnamarr campground (near the access tracks for Jim Jim and Twin Falls)
- Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) rock art site
- Maguk campground (2km from Maguk Gorge Waterfall)
- Yurmikmik (providing coverage to Boulder Creek Falls and surrounds)
- Gunlom Falls campground (coming online soon)
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt:
"The improved mobile coverage will make a real difference for visitors as well as those living and working in Kakadu.
"This expansion of mobile service is a great example of what can be achieved when governments and industry work together.
"Extending mobile coverage is an important part of making sure Kakadu is accessible, safe and enjoyable, now and into the future."
Quotes attributable to Northern Territory Minister for Corporate and Digital Development, Joshua Burgoyne:
"It's fantastic to see improved cellular coverage rolled out across one of the Territory's most iconic destinations ahead of Easter and the peak tourist season for 2026.
"Not only will this enable the around 200,000 visitors to the park each year to explore more of Kakadu's incredible landscapes with greater confidence and peace of mind, but it will also benefit the many locals who call Kakadu home and tourism operators.
"The Northern Territory Government working together with the Federal Government and Telstra to deliver this project is helping visitors stay connected in more places across the park than ever before."
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Remote Communities and Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour:
"Gone are the days of coming to the Territory and getting lost for a couple of weeks without phone reception.
"Modern travellers want to be able to capture their experiences and share them with friends back home. Building greater connectivity builds safety for tourists but also allows them to act as mini brand ambassadors for the Territory when they showcase our amazing natural scenery.
"I welcome the upgrades to the mobile coverage at Kakadu National Park, when the Federal Government works alongside the Northern Territory Government we can achieve great things."
Quote attributable to Telstra Regional Australia Executive, Loretta Willaton:
"This is game-changing coverage for visitors to Kakadu National Park, and we are incredibly proud to deliver it. Co-investment programs such as this, where Telstra, the Commonwealth and Territory Government work together to share the cost in bringing new connectivity in regional and rural locations, are really important in enabling all Australians participate fully in the digital economy."
To learn more about Kakadu visit kakadu.gov.au.
