This was my first stop in Kakadu National Park and it did not disappoint! The beautiful Motor Car Falls is a stunning 20-meter waterfall that tumbles into a clear waterhole surrounded by lush terrain. When I visited in September, towards the end of the dry season, Motor Car Falls weren't flowing as strongly as usual. Interestingly, this waterfall is one of the few in the Northern Territory that you can still enjoy during the wet season. At that time, it comes alive with a heavy flow, and best of all, it's crocodile-free!

Despite the reduced flow when I visited, the views were still breathtaking and definitely worth the walk, no matter the time of year. You'll often read online that a 4WD is required to reach Motor Car Falls, but that's not always true. I drove a 2WD van and had no trouble getting to the Yurmikmik Trails carpark. The journey involves about 22 km on a dirt road after turning off from Kakadu Highway onto Gimbat Road. Some sections of this road are corrugated, but in the dry season, it's quite manageable.

The trail to reach Motor Car Falls is a 7km return bushwalk that's mostly flat, but be prepared, it's mostly sunny, so sunscreen and sun-safe clothing are a must. On average, plan for about 4 hours to complete the trail. The terrain is dry and bushy, giving you that classic NT outback feel. It's a well-kept trail, but don't be surprised if you have it all to yourself; when I went, I pretty much had the place to myself, except for passing a couple on my way back.

This pool is completely croc-free, so feel free to dive in and cool off! When I visited, despite the scorching 38-degree heat, I didn't actually swim, which I now regret. Sometimes, being in croc country messes with my head, as my biggest fear is crocodiles. If there had been others around, I might have been more inclined to take the plunge, but I psyched myself out haha! Don't let that deter you though; it's completely safe!