Northern Territory: Rock Art, Waterfalls and Vast Parklands

Nature and parks between the Red Centre and the Top End

The Northern Territory’s landscapes range from the dry Red Centre to the tropical Top End. More than 80 parks and reserves invite visitors to explore, covering a combined area of over 50,000 square kilometres. They span everything from internationally significant wetlands to walking trails; many parks and reserves offer opportunities for hiking and trekking.

Kakadu: World Heritage and rock art

Kakadu National Park brings together cultural and natural World Heritage values with internationally significant wetlands. A Ramsar site, Kakadu National Park lies approximately 220 kilometres east of Darwin in the Northern Territory. About 5,000 Aboriginal rock art sites have been recorded in the park. This figure gives a tangible sense of the scale of rock art as a cultural aspect of the park. Kakadu National Park is jointly managed by its Traditional Owners and the Australian Government through the Kakadu Board of Management and the Director of National Parks.

Litchfield: waterfalls and lookout points

Litchfield National Park is an ancient landscape shaped by water. Several waterfalls plunge into crystal-clear pools. At Tolmer Falls, a trail runs along the edge of the waterfalls; an accessible path also leads to the viewing platforms. This means visitors can see the waterfalls from two different perspectives: along the falls and from the lookouts. The park is significant to the Aboriginal communities of Koongurrukun, Mak Mak Marranunggu, Werat and Warray.

Cultural connections and joint management

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park is also Aboriginal land and is jointly managed by the Aṉangu Traditional Owners and Parks Australia.

Nitmiluk and the Jatbula Trail

Nitmiluk National Park is on Jawoyn land. The Nitmiluk Centre provides information about hikes, canoe hire, boat tours and camping. The Jatbula Trail crosses a sandstone plateau and passes through woodland, open forest, monsoon forest and river landscapes. The long-distance route connects these diverse landscapes. It is 62 kilometres long, runs one way, starts at Nitmiluk Gorge and ends at Leliyn, also known as Edith Falls. Hikers must take a ferry from Nitmiluk Gorge to the trailhead near 17 Mile Creek. As transport arrangements can change, check the current ferry information before planning your trip.

Hiking and practical information

Another hiking option is the overnight walks at Ormiston Gorge in Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park. Depending on the route, they range from moderate to difficult. These options differ in terms of activity: the Jatbula Trail is a 62-kilometre, one-way long-distance hike, while difficulty at Ormiston Gorge varies by route.

You need an NT Parks Visitor Pass to visit most national parks and reserves; check the official park information before travelling. No recreational fishing licence is required for recreational fishing in the Northern Territory, but other fishing and boating rules still apply. In Mary River National Park, land-based fishing is permitted, subject to the rules for each management zone.

More destinations

Explore more destinations: Larrakeyah, Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine, Jabiru, Ayers Rock, Petermann, Marrakai, Lake Bennett, Point Stuart, Mt Zeil, Kakadu, Adelaide River, Desert Springs, Alyangula, Marrara, Nhulunbuy, Driver, Coomalie Shire, Tennant Creek, Malak, Ludmilla, Nightcliff, Dundee Beach, Mataranka, Un-Incorporated Area, Litchfield Municipality, Macdonnell Shire, Stuart Park.

For the main travel overview: Australia.