Beyond Darwin
There are many top attractions within a short drive from Darwin that allow the visitor to enjoy the unique landscape and wildlife and stop at some of the great art galleries for Aboriginal arts and crafts.
Adelaide River Queen
The Adelaide River Queen cruises the Adelaide River on a one-and-a-half hour tour and entertains its passengers with a display of crocodile feeding. Crocodiles have learned to jump out of the river for their supper in a bizarre display of animal behaviour.
Arnhem Highway;
Several tours daily, check season times
Ph: 8988 8144
Batchelor Butterfly & Bird Farm
Northern Territory's only Butterfly Farm, at Batchelor, 100 km southwest of Darwin, has many butterflies on display. The tropical setting has play facilities for children and there is a cafe.
Batchelor;
Open daily 9:30am-4:45pm
Ph: 8976 0199
Berry Springs Nature Park
This natural freshwater spring, 57 km south of Darwin and 1 km from the Territory Wildlife Park, is a popular picnic and swimming spot surrounded by monsoon rainforest. Many small native fish can be seen in the clear pools. Care should be taken during wet season floods when strong currents can occur.
Stuart Highway and Cox Peninsula Road;
Open daily 8am-6:30pm
Darwin Crocodile Farm
Nearly 10,000 crocodiles inhabit the farm. Each year over 2,000 of them are processed for their byproducts: leather and meat. Guided tours and daily feeding at 2pm.
Stuart Highway, all weather access throughout the year;
Open daily 9am-4pm
Ph: 8988 1450
Butterfly Gorge Nature Park
This dry season destination, 200 km south of Darwin, is a 70-metre gorge in a sandstone escarpment surrounded by woodlands and spinifex. Large numbers of butterfly shelter in the shady rock crevices. There are walks and good swimming spots as well as fine views.
Stuart Highway, all weather access throughout the year;
Open daily
Ph: 8988 4457
Didgeridoo Hut & Art Gallery
Aboriginal-owned and operated, this unique attraction, 35 km southeast of Darwin, offers a bush tucker and medicine walk, cultural demonstrations, art and craft displays. There is even a course to make your own didgeridoo.
Cnr Arnhem & Sturt Highways;
Open daily 7am-7pm.
Ph: 8988 4457
http://www.digeridoohut.com.au
Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve
Just 52 km east of Darwin this reserve and its wetlands and rainforests have four interesting walks on offer. Rice-growing may have failed here, but birdwatching thrives in the wetlands created by the waters from the Adelaide River. Now the Magpie Geese, that led to the downfall of cropping, are the major attraction.
Arnhem Highway, all weather access throughout the year;
Open daily
Ph: 8988 8009
Howard Springs Nature Park
Covering over 1000 ha, 35 km east of Darwin, this popular picnic spot is predominantly eucalypt woodland and monsoon rainforest. A popular spot for day trippers from Darwin, activities include bushwalking, swimming and birdwatching.
Stuart Highway, open daily 8am-8pm
Kakadu Winery
Kakadu Winery is locally owned and operated by the Donnolley family with the assistance of winemaker Paul Williamson. The winery currently produces seven varieties of mango wines with complimentary tastings and cellar door sales.
4 Adams Road, Yarrawonga
Open daily 11am-5.30pm;
Ph: 8931 1166
http://www.kakaduwinery.com.au
Maton Dam
Built in 1942 as Darwin's first reliable water supply, the dam today is popular for fishing, jet skiing and boating.
Turn west off the Stuart Highway, 70km south of Darwin; All weather access;
Open 9am-5pm weekdays and 8am-7pm weekends
Ph: 8988 6310
Mary River National Park
This national park, 150 km east of Darwin, protects part of the Mary River catchment. The river system, with its billabongs and paperbark forests, is a good place for watching wildlife, fishing and bushwalking. Some areas are accessible by ordinary vehicle, but a 4WD vehicle is really needed to explore the park properly. The picnic area, 3 km west of the Bark Hut Inn, has a boat ramp.
Arnhem Highway;
Open daily, but check seasonal conditions
Ph: 8978 8986
Territory Wildlife Park
About a 45 minute drive south of Darwin, this open-air wildlife park is set in 400 ha of natural bushland. Paths weave through various ecological habitats, past a huge aviary, disguised enclosures, a lagoon hide and open fields of kangaroos and wallabies. An entire Top End river system has been recreated in an aquarium and a nocturnal house allows you to observe rarely seen native species.
Cox Peninsula Road, Berry Springs;
Open daily 8:30am-4pm
Ph: 8988 6000
http://www.territorywildlifepark.com.au
Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs
Straddling part of the Douglas River, this 3,107 ha park, 200 km south of Darwin, features hot springs, walking trails and a camp ground. Swimming is best 200m upstream in the cooler water of the pools.
Umbrawarra Gorge
Located 25 km southwest of Pine Creek on an unsealed road, this beautiful gorge has permanent pools, Aboriginal rock art and native fauna including wallabies, various bird species and butterflies.
Window on the Wetlands
On your way to Kakadu National Park, drop in on this visitor centre, for an overview of wetlands' ecology and the European and Aboriginal history. Touchscreen computers and interactive displays make learning fun. On the top floor are superb views of the floodplains. On a stormy evening there are great views of the lightning.
Beatrice Hill;
Open daily 7:30am-7:30pm
Ph: 8988 8188
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