The Top End has many national parks both big and small. They are a great place to explore the Top End's natural beauty and heritage. The Top End also has may National Parks including World-Listed-Heritage National Park; Kakadu National Park. In our National Park's you will find native wildlife, scenic lookouts and spectacular waterfalls plus much more...
National Parks & Waterfalls
Looking to visit a National Park while visiting the Top End?
DARWIN REGION
CHARLES DARWIN NATIONAL PARK
Close to the city off Tiger Brennan Drive, the park was developed to highlight the rich mangrove habitats of Darwin Harbour and it is a great place to enjoy a relaxing picnic. A great vantage point overlooking the city. During WWII, the site was one of a network used as a munitions depot. An informative display housed in one of the original storage bunkers depicts Darwin’s role in the war.
What to see and do
LITCHFIELD REGION
LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK
Litchfield National Park is just an hour-and-a-half drive from Darwin and features a myriad of diverse environments including rugged sandstone escarpments, perennial spring-fed streams, monsoon rainforest, magnetic termite mounds, waterfalls and historic ruins.
What to see and do
Wangi Falls
WILDLIFE AND WETLANDS REGION
- DJUKBINJ NATIONAL PARK
Located off the Arnhem Highway near Leaning Tree Lagoon turnoff. Part of the Marrakai Plains, Djukbinj National Park contains a portion of the catchment area and drainage for the Adelaide River. Consequently, the abundance of water year-round assures the park’s importance as a favourite feeding and roosting site for a wide variety of waterbirds including magpie geese, egrets, jabiru and brolgas.
What to see and do
- MARY RIVER NATIONAL PARK
The wide expanse of the Mary River National Park protects part of the Mary River catchment, where floodplains, billabongs, woodlands, paperbark and monsoon forest provide visitors with excellent opportunities for observing wildlife, fishing, four-wheel driving, bushwalking, camping and photography. A drive along Point Stuart Road offers the opportunity to experience the exceptional views of the Mary River system from Couzens Lookout, Brian Creek Monsoon Forest, Jimmy’s Creek Monsoon Forest, Point Stuart Coastal Reserve and Mistake Billabong, which are easily accessible.
What to see and do
KAKADU REGION
KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, covering almost 20,000 square kilometres, is a place of contrasting landscapes and diverse habitats. Saltwater crocodiles lurk in freshwater billabongs dotted with lotus lilies. Rugged cliffs of the Arnhem Land escarpment hide deep sandstone gorges and pockets of monsoon rainforest. Waterfalls cascade into pools fringed with paperbarks and pandanus.
What to see and do
ARNHEM LAND REGION
GARIG GUNAK BARLU NATIONAL PARK
Pronounced Gah-rig Goon-uk Bar-loo, is Northern Australia’s first flora and fauna protected reserve, and the surrounding Cobourg Marine Park, provide an ideal habitat for many thousands of waterfowl and other bird species.
The Cobourg Peninsula, remote and rugged, is fringed with magnificent white sandy beaches. The Peninsula, recognised as one of Australia’s most spectacular fishing locations, is accessible only by four-wheel drive from Oenpelli via Jabiru (it’s essential you report to the Ranger Station on arrival), or a 30-minute charter flight from Darwin.
What to see and do
KATHERINE REGION
- ELSEY NATIONAL PARK
Incorporating the spring-fed Roper and Waterhouse Rivers, the park offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing and bushwalking. Mataranka Thermal Pool, Bitter Springs, Stevie’s Hole, Mataranka Falls and the tracks along the Roper River are some of the highlights of a visit. A popular activity is bird-watching. The rare Red Goshawk, Hooded Parrot, and Northern Rosellas are some of the many species to be observed.
What to see and do
- NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK
Just 32 kilometres from the town centre, the gorge system is the major natural attraction in the area - a visitor’s delight of 292,800 hectares of natural wonder. There are 13 gorges in the system, carved out of the rock by torrential summer rains. Within the gorge system are many fine examples of Aboriginal rock paintings that are thousands of years old. Nitmiluk Gorge / Katherine River was the cultural and spiritual foundation for the first inhabitants of the area, the Jawoyn and Dagomen people, providing food and water for both spiritual and recreational needs.
What to see and do
VICTORIA RIVER AND TIMBER CREEK REGION
KEEP RIVER NATIONAL PARK
This small park contains a diversity of landscapes. Visitors can explore sandstone ridges and ‘Bungle Bungle-like’ formations from the campgrounds. Spectacular walks include the two-kilometre Gurrandalng walk which presents one magnificent view after the next; and the 5.5-kilometre Jarnem Lookout Walk which is particularly stunning in the soft light of early morning and late afternoon.
What to see and do
BORROLOOLA AND THE GULF REGION
- BARRANYI (NORTH ISLAND) NATIONAL PARK
The park, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, is one of the Territory’s most remote visitor destinations. This peaceful wilderness haven is the traditional home of the Yanyuwa people. Special features of the island park include long sandy beaches like Paradise Bay, a glorious stretch of white beach ideal for walking, beachcombing and birdwatching.
What to see and do
- LIMMEN NATIONAL PARK
Located 182 kilometres north-west of Borroloola, this park is accessed from the Roper River Road or by travelling north from Cape Crawford. It features several large sandstone spires and rounded dome formations resulting from erosion of the sandstone escarpment. The main recreational activity is fishing throughout the towns and Limmen Rivers.
What to see and do
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