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Safe Places to swim in and around Darwin
Swimming in and around Darwin NT Northern Territory Australia. Listed are safe places to swim, including natural swimming holes and public swimming pools
BERRY
SPRINGS NATURE PARK --- ---
Berry
Creek starts from a number of springs, forms
a small creek, then reaches Darwin Harbour through a mangrove lined estuary.
The Park provides an attractive area close to Darwin for picnics and swimming and is surrounded by monsoon rainforest. The park is perfect for recreational activities, barbeques and also provides a refreshing swimming spot after a day at The Territory Wildlife Park. If you swim with goggles you can see many small native fish and other aquatic life that live in the clear pools. Be careful during wet season as flooding may occur. There is an interpretive centre that provides a brief description of the area, including some historical references, photographs and information on flora and fauna. A walking track takes you through two Top End habitats, starting from the picnic area, take binoculars if you are keen on birdwatching. LOCATION
57 km south of Darwin and 1 km from the Territory Wildlife Park on Cox Peninsular Road, Berry Springs NT. Open daily from 8 am to 6.30 pm. CONTACTS
Ph 08 8988 6310
Fax 08 8988 6485
HOWARD
SPRINGS
Howard Springs is a rural area on the outskirts of Darwin and covers over 1000 ha just 30 kilometres from the centre of town and is a great place to swim and snorkel in natural springs with the huge barramundi that live there. It is predominantly eucalypt woodland and monsoon rainforest so the activities include bushwalking, swimming and birdwatching. Open daily from 8 am to 8 pm. LOCATION Off Gunn Point Rd Howard Springs NT
LAKE
ALEXANDER
A secure saltwater lake close to Fannie Bay Beach that is safe from crocodiles. Has plenty of shady trees and picnic tables to relax under. There are also plenty of barbeques located near the large fully shaded play ground. LOCATION East Point Road Fannie Bay.
MANTON
DAM RECREATIONAL RESERVE
Manton Dam, built in 1942, was Darwin's first reliable water supply. Today, although its water is still used in emergencies, the Dam is a popular, safe, recreation area for picnics, barbeques, water skiing, fish, boating, canoeing, wind surfing and swimming. Times The Dam is open from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays - 8 am to 7 pm on weekends and public holidays - The area is closed each night. Location Turn west off the Stuart Highway 70 km south of Darwin - All roads are sealed and accessible throughout the year. Open 9 am to 5 pm weekdays and 8 am to 7 pm weekends. CONTACT Ph 08 8988 6310
MATARANKA HOT SPRINGS
The township of Mataranka is South east of Katherine, 110 kilometres along the Stuart Highway. Located on the Roper River are the Mataranka Thermal Pools and Elsey National Park. The Park is 8 km away from Mataranka. The Roper River is popular for fishing and canoeing. After fishing you can relax in the 34-degree Celsius heat of the thermal pools. The water has its origin thousands of kilometres away in Papua New Guinea and bubbles to the surface at an incredible 30.5 million litres per day.
LEANYER WATER PARK
The Leanyer Water Park was built near the Northern suburbs of Darwin to provide a water based recreation facility safe from crocodiles and box jellyfish . The park consists of children's wading pools and water features and fountains with a huge bucket that gradually fills up and spills over. BBQ facilities · Picnic tables · Skatepark · Cycling Path LOCATION 15 km from Darwin City Centre, Access is off Vanderlin Drive TIMES Wed - Sun 10am to 7pm - open daily on public holidays and school holidays.
ANNABURROO BILLABONG
Powered and unpowered shady caravan sites, toilet and shower facilities, BBQ areas. Pets are welcome but must be well behaved due to an abundance of natural wildlife. Canoeing is available in the crocodile free billabong. LOCATION Lot 3116 Arnhem Highway. CONTACT Ph 08 89788971
LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK - TJAYNERA FALLS (Sandy Creek)
Tjaynera Falls : Accessible by 4wd only. The falls and plunge pool is accessible by a 1.7-kilometre walk from the camping and parking area. Warm year-round swimming in plunge pools. Ccontains a number of cascades, waterfalls and small pockets of rainforest. A good alternative to the very popular Wangi Falls nestled in an open valley, luxuriant with paperbarks. Relax and enjoy the usually uncrowded plunge pool. Open May to November. Free entry, camping fees apply. LOCATION 9 kms from southern access track, Litchfield National Park - Map
LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK - FLORENCE FALLS
Florence Falls : Popular double waterfall set amid the monsoon forest cascading into a swimming hole. The lookout provides a panoramic view. Florence Falls is a spectacular waterfall with crystal clear pool at the base of the falls. A specially constructed lookout with wheelchair access offers excellent photo opportunities. A steep walking track leads down to the swimming via a specially constructed stairway. There are several small pools near the picnic area. Be aware of strong undercurrents during the wet season because of large volumes of water flow. Open all year round, free entry, camping fees apply. LOCATION Just past Buley Rockhole - Map
LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK - TOLMER FALLS
Tolmer Falls : One of the most spectacular falls cascading over two high escarpments into a distant, deep, plunge pool. Tolmer Falls can be seen from a specially constructed lookout easily accessible from the main road. Set amongst imposing red cliffs, the bottom of the Falls is home to several colonies of rare Ghost Bats and Orange Horseshoe Bats. To help protect these colonies, access to the falls and gorge itself is closed. There is however a 1.5 km walking loop that includes some attractive rock pools at the top of the falls. Swimming directly behind the falls is not permitted but those further back up the creek are fine. Open all year round, Free entry. LOCATION Off Litchfield Park Road - Map
LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK - WANGI FALLS
Wangi Falls : Litchfield's most popular and easily accessible attraction is Wangi Falls which flows into a large swimming hole. A 3kms walking trail leading through a monsoonal rainforest to the top of the falls. It features a large natural pool created by a tall waterfall, cascading over red cliffs. Trees and grass line the entrance to the plunge pool and is a great spot for a picnic. There is also a picturesque walking trail which leads from one side of the pool to the other via the top of the falls. Winning a national awards for its design this walk includes a boardwalk, carefully constructed steps, and platforms to give visitors the best views. A number of swimmers have recently perished at Wangi so take good notice of the danger warnings. The pool is closed in the Wet when high volumes of water over the falls cause an undercurrent which can pull swimmers under. Open all year round, however swimming not always possible due to water levels, free entry, camping fees apply. LOCATION Off Litchfield Park Road - Map
LAKE COPPERFIELD - PINE CREEK
A cool haven with a deep water lake surrounded by hills. Ample parking for caravans, buses and cars. Picnic and toilet facilities. NO DOGS. Free camping limited to 8 sites per night, 3 day stay limit is strictly enforced. LOCATION: 6 km southwest on the Umbrawarra Gorge Rd (dirt road) which is generally passable to all vehicles with care, especially during the wet season.
CASUARINA SWIMMING POOL
Opening hours are: Monday to Friday 6 am to 7.30 pm - Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 6 pm - Public holidays 10 am to 7.30 pm. Pool Fees are: Adult $3 - Child/concession $1.40 - Children under 4 are .65c - Family concessions (2 Adults and 2 children) $7.15 - Spectators are free. Children under the age of 10 must be supervised at all times. Children under 4 must be accompanied by an adult in the pool. CONTACT Ph 89 279091. LOCATION Angelo Street Casuarina.
PARAP SWIMMING POOL
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 6 am to 7.30 pm (Wed closes at 6 pm) - Saturday 8 am to 6 pm - Sunday 10 am to 6 pm - Public Holidays 10 am to 7.30 pm. Pool Fees are: Adult $3 - Child/concession $1.40 - Children under 4 are .65c - Family concessions (2 Adults and 2 children) $7.15 - Spectators are free. Children under the age of 10 must be supervised at all times. Children under 4 must be accompanied by an adult in the pool. CONTACT Ph 89 812662. LOCATION Ross Smith Avenue, Parap.
NIGHTCLIFF SWIMMING POOL
Opening hours are Monday to Thursday 6 am tp 7 pm - Friday 6 am to 7.30 pm - Saturday 8 am to 7.30 pm - Sunday 10 am to 7.30 pm - Public Holidays 10 am to 7.30 pm. Pool Fees are: Adult $3 - Child/concession $1.40 - Children under 4 are .65c - Family concessions (2 Adults and 2 children) $7.15 - Spectators are free. Children under the age of 10 must be supervised at all times. Children under 4 must be accompanied by an adult in the pool. CONTACT 89 851682. LOCATION Casuarina Drive Nightcliff.
PALMERSTON LEISURE CENTER
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 6 am to 8 pm - Friday 6 am to 7 pm - Saturday 9am to 7pm - Sunday 9am to 7pm. Entrance fees are $2.10 per adult and $1.50 for concession and children. CONTACT 89 323474. LOCATION 31 Tilston Ave Moulden Palmerston
BATCHELOR SWIMMING POOL
Pool is open from Wednesday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. A key can be accessed from the Coomalie Council on 08 89760058 on a monthly or 6 monthly basis which gives you access after hours. Fees are $1 per child, $2 per adult, $4.40 per family and $1 for pensioners. LOCATION Pinaroo Crs Batchelor. CONTACT Ph 08 89760192
Swimming in the Ocean in the Northern Territory is done mainly in the dry season (May to October). Unfortunately when it is hot and most wanted, swimming on Top End beaches during the humid tropical summer is dangerous. The biggest risk is from the deadly Box Jellyfish.
Alternatives for swimming safely in the Top End of the Northern Territory at that time of the year in close proximity of Darwin are Howard and Berry Springs, Annaburroo Billabong near the Mary River, and the magnificent plunge pools of Litchfield National Park. There are also several public swimming pools located in all major Northern Territory towns.
Katherine river offers some rivers, rock pools and the water filled gorges and creeks.
Crocodile warning signs are displayed at the edge of waterways if it is known to be inhabited by crocodiles. You may not see them but be sure that they will be watching you, so NEVER swim in any waterways in the Top End of the Northern Territory unless you are absolutely sure it is safe.
