Covering an area of 19,804 sq km and located just to the east of Darwin within the Alligator Rivers Region, Kadadu National Park is a World Heritage Site.  It extends from the northern coastline 150km inland to the southern hills and basins and measure from east to west 120 km.  This is a diverse landscape, ecologically and biologically important and is now managed by the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Aboriginal people have occupied this land continuously for a least the last 50,000 years leaving a unique ancient and cultural heritage.  There are many examples of Aboriginal art and archaeological places of interest within the park.  Kakadu is famous for its wetlands which have been deemed to be of international environmental importance mainly because of the diversity of birdlife which visit the area in the wet season.

Extending for over 600km the plateau area of the park rises 250m and is a rugged sandstone formation producing some dramatic scenery.  An ancient rock formation this honeycombed weatherworn escarpment  provided a natural shelter of the traditional Aboriginal owners.

To the north of the escarpment region are the vast lowland areas, an eroded plane containing a few rocky outcrops.

In the north of the park is the floodplain area.  From November to March it is flooded by the full force of the monsoon rains and becomes a huge expanse of water and in the dry season the permanent billabongs become visible.   Famous for its edible water lilies and lotus lilies it is a unique and outstanding area of natural beauty.

The tropical saltwater wastelands of the Tidal flats area is covered in  mangroves and rainforests which thrive in the saline soils.

In the south of Kakadu the Southern hills and basins an area of vast woodland near the South Alligator River.

Although famous for its flora, fauna, birdlife and animal species Kakadu is probably most noted internationally as the place were the Crocodile Dundee movies were filmed.

Kings Canyon National Park
Most visitors to Watarrka come to view the stunning Kings Canyon with its soaring vertical walls and areas of green vegetation protected in sheltered ravines amongst the huge harsh desert surrounding the Park. There are two walking paths at the Canyon , both which offer visitors an opportunity get away from it all and experience first hand the beauty and peace of the Australian bush.Features of interest are highlighted by signs positioned along both of the footpaths. All walkers are advised to carefully read the information on the two walks before starting out. The Kings Canyon walk is quite hilly in places and is only recommended for reasonably fit and healthy walkers. Tracks are constructed to a suitable standard with stairs and boardwalks to make your walk safe and comfortable and to protect sensitive vegetation and waterholes.

Saftey Please read this information carefully before commencing these walks. Drinking water, headwear, sunscreen and tough footwear are essential on all walks.
The Canyon Walk (6 km loop Approx. 3-4 hrs duration) This walk begins with a steep ascent to the top of the Canyon, following the Canyon edge around before gradually descending to the carpark. About half way along the walk is the ‘Garden of Eden’, a delightful area of waterholes and riverine vegetation communities. This walk requires a medium to high level of fitness with some strenuous sections. In the hotter months care should be taken (Sept - May) and walkers may consider other shorter walks as better options during the middle of the day. The Kings Creek Walk (2.6 km return Approx. 1 hour duration) This walk winds along Kings Creek ending at a lookout point, then returns by the same route. It can be rough underfoot, so tough footwear is essential. Information signs on the Aboriginal cultural uses of the area are located at several points along the route. This walk has wheelchair access for approximately half the walk with the remainder being suitable for families.

Litchfield National Park
Litchfield National Park shelters good examples of many of the Top End habitats. It  has numerous waterfalls which tumble from a plateau of sandstone called the Tabletop Range, captivating termite mounds, historical sites, and the eroded sandstone pillars of the Lost City.

Access Near Batchelor, 100 km south-west of Darwin, the Park is generally accessible all year (sealed roads) via Batchelor. In the dry season it is also possible to get to the Park via Cox Peninsula (unsealed road).

When to Visit This Park is stunning at any time, though most 4WD tracks are closed during the wet season. Some swimming areas such as Wangi Falls, become unsafe after heavy rain and are closed for swimming but kiosk and picnic facilities remain open.

Mary River National Park
The area proposed to be called Mary River National Park protects part of the Mary River Catchment. Freshwater billabongs, paperbark and monsoon forests provide those who visit with excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, fishing, bushwalking and photography. The Mary River is one of eight rivers in the Top End which have large floodplains in their catchment areas. The Arneham Highway takes you over five of the eight rivers as you travel between Darwin and Jabiru.

Access Located 150 km east of Darwin along the Arnhem Highway. In the dry season (May - September) most areas are accessible to all vehicles, however many roads are unsealed. During the wet season (October - April) flooding causes road closures.

Nitmiluk National Park
This 292,000 hectare National Park is owned by the Jawoyn Aboriginal people and jointly managed with the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. Some of the park’s features include stunning dissected sandstone country, wide valleys and many, important cultural sites. The deep gorge carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River is the main centre of attraction to the park.

Access The park's main entrance is located 30 kilometres northeast of Katherine via a sealed road. When to Visit The best time to visit the park is from May to September. During the wet season, flooding of the Katherine River may restrict the range of activities available and in some cases prevent access to the park.

Uluru National Park - (Ayers Rock- Elsey National Park)
Kata Tjuta National Park lies 450km southwest of Alice Springs. Ayers Rock/ Uluru, the world's largest monolith and a sacred Aboriginal site, is Australia's most famous natural landmark. Visitors may wish to make the strenuous 1.6km climb to the top or take a guided tour around the rock with an aboriginal guide and so learn about its fascination with the Uluru people and its legendary dreamtime importance. There are many more Aboriginal sacred sites in this huge park together with stunning scenery and incredible rock formations. Visit the Olgas/ Kata Tjuta, a dramatic series of 36 dome-like rock formations which stand up to 1,701ft (546m) high and cover an area of 35km and, like Uluru, produce an incredible light show at sunset, with reds  changing to rusts, and pinks to mauves.

Watarrka National Park
Watarrka National Park includes the western end of the George Gill Range. This scenic landscape of craggy ranges, rockholes and ravines acts as a sanctuary for many plants and animals, making the Park an important conservation area and major attraction of central Australia. Kings Canyon features ancient sandstone walls, shaped by the elements, rising 100m up to a plateau of rocky domes.

How To Get There  The Park is located about 450km southwest of Alice Springs and can be reached by conventional vehicle via Luritja Road from Yulara and Lasseters Highway (sealed road). It can also be reached via Larapinta Drive, through the West MacDonnell National Park, linking into the new gravel Mereenie Loop Road (4WD recommended); or via Ernest Giles Road (4WD essential) and Luritja Road.

Charles Darwin National Park
Part of the Port Darwin wetland is protected by the Charles Darwin National Park. Port Darwin is one of Australia's most significant wetlands. The park protects locally important woodlands too. Port Darwin  is recognised as a nationally important wetland, firstly because of it’s size (48 sq. km), and secondly because of it’s diversity. Of the Northern Territory's 51 mangrove species thirty six of them occur in its convoluted system of inlets, islands and bays. The Park sits on Frances Bay in Port Darwin, and includes the western bank of Sandgroves Creek, Reichardt Creek and part of Bleesers Creek.  The Park itself is new but the land it is on has a history as shell middens in the area show that Aboriginal people have used the land for thousands of years. Today the Larrakia people speak for this land. The area was part of a network of military sites established during the development of Darwin as Australia's World War II defence line. The bunkers and shelters in the Park were used for storage between 1941 and the mid 1980's. Access Travel east from Darwin city, along Tiger Brennan Drive. At Winnellie, about 5.5 km from the city, highway signs identify the Park. turn south through the gates. Travel about 1.5 km into the Park to get to the main picnic area. The Park is closed overnight and the gates open between 7 am and 7 pm. Camping is not allowed at any time.

Keep River National Park
Keep River National Park is located 468 kilometres west of Katherine alongside the NT/WA border and is noted for its outstanding landforms. Visitors to the park are provided with excellent opportunities for bushwalking, photography and the opportunity to learn about the way the landscape became what it is today.

Access: The park entrance is three kilometres east of the NT/WA border. Man made gravel roads, suitable for most vehicle types in the dry season, lead to the main attractions. During the wet season these roads may be closed because of flooding. No vehicle is allowed to drive off road and must remain on the formed roads only.

 

Another of Northern Territory’s nature parks is to be found at Umbrawarra Gorge. The park protects a beautiful isolated and remote gorge which has steep cliffs coloured red. In the early to middle stages of the dry season a creek meanders it’s way through the gorge and winds it’s way alongside a footpath to a lagoon with a small beach of fine sand. If you want to see more of the Umbrawarra gorge you can do but only by either swimming or rock hopping. There is also an abundance of birds, butterflies and wildlife in general to be found here.To get there (Umbrawarra Gorge is about 245km from Darwin and about 115km from Katherine) you need to drive along the Stuart Highway to about 3km south of Pine Creek where you will turn off left onto an unmade dusty road where you will drive for approximately 22km. Because of it’s uneven terrain you will be better with an off road vehicle before attempting to reach the gorge, though all vehicles can gain access with care. It is not usually accessible during the wet season as the river level is too high.

122km south of Katherine lies the Flora River Nature Park which is there to protect 25km of the Flora River and the adjacent area of savannah woodland and floodplain. The main attraction of the Flora River Park is the river with it’s springs, deep pools and waterfalls that wind their way through thick bushland. This area of land is home to the Wardaman Aboriginal people and welcomes tourists who wish to camp or picnic.

 

Located between Darwin and Katherine is the Daly River region. It actually starts where the Flora and Katherine river intersect flowing west and into the Timor Sea. Before any settlement of Europeans it became a tradition for Aboriginees to meet at the Daly River to hold ceremonies and trade. Now it is a popular camping area and good fishing with a plentiful supply of barramundi. Also located at the Daly River Aboriginal Community is the Merrepen Arts Centre which is a popular place for tourists to visit as it sells arts and crafts made by local Aboriginal people.

 

East of the Daly River is an area known as the Douglas Daly which is home to the well known Douglas Hot Springs. These Springs can reach 60oC in places so if you fancy a swim it is recommended that you move downstream to where it is cooler. Douglas Daly Tourist Park is good for camping and caravanning and you can also swim here through what is known as The Arches, a natural rock formation, and into a waterhole safe for swimming. 17 km from the Douglas Hot Springs is Butterfly Gorge Nature Park. A four wheel drive vehicle is however recommended for the last few kilometres.

Travelling east from Katherine brings you eventually to the Gulf of Carpentaria which is the shallow part of sea between Australia and New Guinea. This area is home to the four main native language groups of Mara, Karawa, Yanuwa and Krdanj and it’s early pastoral areas were opened up by the German explorer Ludwig Leichhardt in 1845. Today, this gulf region encompasses some of Australia’s biggest cattle stations of which several are the size of some small countries. Leichhardt came to Australia in 1842 to study geology and widlife. He first explored Queensland before moving on to the Northern Territory. However when attempting to travel from Brisbane (Moreton Bay) to Perth he and his party disappeared and were never found. Numerous theories relating to the disappearance of Leichhardt have been discussed over the years but, whatever happened still remains a mystery today. The Gulf of Carpentaria’s remote, unspoilt waterways are some of  the most unique and exciting fishing areas of Australia. Roper Bar, in the Norther Territory side of the gulf, is the natural rock crossing where the salwater and freshwater sections of the Roper River are separated. Borroloola, further south, is a small township set on the McArthur River and services the areas fishing, mining and pastoral industries. It has a population of around just 300 people. 40 kilometres further on from Borroloola is King Ash Bay. This is a popular fishing spot due to it’s enormous tidal range and enthusiastic anglers can camp on the riverbanks as non-members are allowed by the King Ash Bay Fishing Club.

Located south west of Katherine is the Victoria River Region and is most often visited by those en route between Katherine and the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. Here you will find grassy plains, boab trees and gorges cut into the sandstone by rivers. The main centre in this region is the small township of Timber Creek some 280km west of Katherine. It is home to just 70 people and where fishing is it’s big draw. Timber Creek is one of the Northern Territory’s most beautiful places as the Victoria River makes it’s way through the deep valleys and gorges, and it’s here where you can come to catch barramundi.

 

Arnhem Land is a backwoods paradise on the Cobourg Peninsula.
In the very north of the Northern Territory in Arnhem Land, the  Cobourg Marine Park and Garig Gunak Barlu National Parks are isolated and rocky, edged with wonderful sandy white beaches on the Cobourg Peninsula. The National and Marine Park is ideal for bird watching, hiking, walking, fishing and  boating.  With an area of  2,207 square kilometres, Garig Gunak Barlu National Park includes the Coburg Peninsula and a few of the nearby islands. The seas surrounding the Peninsula are included into the Northern Territory's largest marine reserve.