Bowali Visitor Centre, near Jabiru, is the practical first stop for many Kakadu trips. It has park information, exhibits, maps, permits, and current advice on road and site access, which matters more here than in most Australian parks.
Stop here before committing to a long drive down a track. Conditions shift with fire, flood, heat, and cultural closures, and Bowali is where you can turn vague plans into a workable route.