Mary
River Region in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory Australia
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Where
Is Mary River Region
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The Mary
River area of Kakadu represents just one sector of the much
larger Mary River Wetland National Park. Mary River Wetland
National Park is a 130+km stretch National Park bordering
along the Arnhem Highway and being the gateway to Kakadu National
Park.
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How Get
To Mary River Region
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Mary River
Wetland National Park is located approximately 150km east
of Darwin along the Arnhem Highway. Some areas are accessible
to all vehicles, however several areas within the Park are
4WD only. During the wet season (October to April) flooding
may cause road closures. The Arnhem Highway is sealed and
begins 34kms south of Darwin. Point Stuart Road is unsealed
and can be rough - check the conditions. Caravans can access
Corroboree and Annaburroo Billabongs from the Highway. Some
areas are currently inaccessible due to remoteness and lack
of access tracks.
Kakadu
National Park an Australian Natural Icon covers almost 20,000
square kms and is 253 kms East of Darwin the capital city
of the Northern Territory, Australia.
Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage listed, Kakadu National
Park is the gateway to Arnhemland. The sealed roads from Darwin
to Kakadu is via the Arnhem Highway and from Katherine to
Kakadu National Park via the Kakadu Highway. The Bowali Visitor
Centre near Jabiru in Kakadu National Park is located 253
km from Darwin in Northern Territory Australia via the Arnhem
Highway entrance. If travelling by road, you should allow
3 hours travelling time from Darwin.
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Access
To Mary River Region
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east off the Kakadu Highway 2km north of the Mary River Ranger
Stattion. The Mary River area of Kakadu represents just one
sector of the much larger Mary River Wetland National Park.
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When
To Visit
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| Recommended
May to November |
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What
To See And Do At Mary River Region
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| Main
Attraction: Scenic tranquil picnic areas can be found in
this area, as well as smaller gorges, waterfalls, creeks and
plunge pools set in monsoonal forest and vine forests. |
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Gunlom
Waterfall: (Goon-lom) (gravel road, check wet season access)
Where: Turn east off the Kakadu Highway 2km north of the
Mary River Ranger Stattion (8km south from the Bukbukluk turn-off).
Travel 26km, turn left at the Gunlom Y junction and travel
a further 11km.
Features: A popular camping area located near a clear
plunge pool and small waterfall. A steep climb takes you to
the top of the waterfall providing great views over southern
Kakadu. 37km from Southern Entry Ranger Station, Gunlom has
the magical combination of waterfall and serene plunge pool,
with shady gums cooling the picnic areas.
Open: from April to November, entry is free but camping
fees apply.
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Maguk
(Mar-gook) Plunge Pool (gravel road, dry season only, 4WD
recommended)
Where: Turn south off the kakadu Highway 42km north of
the Mary River Ranger Station or 92 km south of the Bowali
Visitor Centre. Travel a further 12 km.
Features: A 2km return walk through monsoon forest
leads to a small waterfall and clear plunge pool. Allow 1
to 2 hours. Please note the advice on swimming in plunge pools
on our visitor safety page.
Open: May to November, entry is free.
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| If
you have more time |
Yurmikmik
Walks (gravel road, check wet season access)
Where: Turn east off Kakadu Highway onto the Gunlom road
and travel 21km.
Features: An area of separate but interconnected walking
tracks which is an excellent wet season experience. The individual
walks are: Boulder Creek Walk (2km return); Yurmikmik Lookout
Walk (5km return); Motor Car Falls (7.5km return) and Kurrundie
Creek Walk (11km return). |
Gimbat
picnic area (dry season only, 4WD)
Where: Travel 26km east on the Gunlom Road, turn right at
the Y junction and travel a further 19km.
Features: A shady picnic area situated near Guratba (Coronation
Hill) and the South Alligator River. |
Gungurul
(Goong-or-ool) picnic area
Where: Turn west off the Kakadu Highway 37km north of the
Mary River Ranger Station or 9km south from the Muguk turn-off.
Features: Picnic tables and basic toilet facilities.
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Bukbukluk
Lookout
Where: Turn west off the Kakadu Highway 10km north of the
Mary River Ranger Station or 124km south of the Bowali Visitor
Centre. Travel a further 600m on an unsealed road.
Features: Picnic tables and a 400m return walk to a lookout
with views over the old Goodparla Station. |
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| Where
to stay |
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Wirnwirnmila
Mary River Road House (just outside Kakadu National Park)
Under new management, the Wirnwirnmila Mary River Road House
is equipped with motel standard rooms, backpacker accommodation,
powered van sites and camping. The Wirnwirnmila Mary River
Road House is now owned by Jawoyn, the Traditional Owners
of the southern section of the park. Telephone: Within Australia:
(08) 8975 4564 International: +61 8 8975 4564
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| Gunlom
Camping Area (gravel road, check wet season access) Access to
showers, toilets and a generator is available. Camping fees
(adults only) are collected on site. |
| Bush Camping
Area (gravel roads, check wet season access) Free camping with
basic toilet facilities is available at Maguk and Gungurul.
Basic camping facilities (BBQ areas, picnic tables, not toilets)
are located at Kambolgie Campground. Drinking water is not available.
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| Services
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| The Wirnwirnmila
Mary River Roadhouse provides meals / morning and afternoon
teas, takeaway food, stores and fuel. |
Protect
Your Reserve
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- All
native plants and animals in the Reserve are protected.
- Guns
and traps are prohibited.
- Areas
of this Reserve do not allow pets, however exercise areas
are set aside for dogs and horses.
- Signs
throughout the Reserve explain these conditions.
- Please
observe these regulations.
- Take
care with fire - light fires only in the fire places provided.
- Please
dispose of litter properly.
- Vehicles
must remain on formed roads - off road is only by foot.
- Safety
Note: Saltwater (estuarine) crocodiles occur in billabongs
and at the sea; for your safety do not enter the water.
See the Visitor Safety page for more
information.
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Parks
& Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory
Head Office
- Goyder Centre 25 Chung Wah Tce Palmerston, NT 0830
PO Box 496 Palmerston NT 0831
Ph: +61 (0) 8 8999 5511 |