Keep River National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Keep River National Park, Tourism NT

Introduction

Keep River National Park has outstanding beehive-type geological formations of layered sandstone. The weathered outcrops and escarpments lie between plains of spinifex and woodlands of eucalypts, which flower in big, cream clusters, while sprays of yellow acacia flowers surround the waterways. Where ravines meet the plain, towering Livistona palms reach for the sky. There are small rock pools, leftovers from the annual wet season and housing rare marine creatures. Cockatoo Lagoon vibrates with wildlife but swimming is discouraged because of the presence of crocodiles. Wallabies and reptiles spend much of the day in the cool crevices of the rocky terrain. In the lagoons and rock holes there are fish such as sooty grunters, red-tailed rainbows and archerfi sh. In the bush are endangered Gouldian finches, white-quilled rock-pigeons and rare ghost and orange leafnosed-bats. The splendid tree frog (Litoria splendida), a large green and yellow creature, also lives in the park.Evidence of the long occupation by the Miriwoong and Gadjerong people can be seen in the many rocky shelters, notably Nganalam art site (200-metre return walk from the carpark), and the people still have settlements in the park. Visitors can walk among towers of layered sandstone, along ridges that give spectacular vistas of the plains and far away hills and among Aboriginal art sites. Ginger’s Hill walk (200 metres) leads to a hawk hide, a curious stone structure used by Aboriginal people to hunt birds. Gurrandalng walk (2 km) leaves from the campground and winds through sandstone terrain to views of the escarpment. Lookouts include those at Cockatoo Lagoon, Ginger’s Hill and Jarnem.

Fact file

Camping

Gurrandalng, Jarnem

Location and access

468 kilometres west of Katherine (on NT–WA border) via Victoria Hwy

Park Information

• PWCNT (08) 8999 5511
• PWCNT Katherine (08) 8973 8888
• Park ranger (08) 9167 8827

Size

57 000 ha

Where to Stay

Kununurra (08) 9168 1177
Timber Creek (08) 8975 0860
www.travelnt.com


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• Campsites

Campsites

Gurrandalng camping area

This basic campsite is about 15 km past the ranger station. Generators are permitted within certain times. There is no drinking water but firewood can be collected within the park.... Find out more

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Jarnem camping area

From this isolated campsite, about 30 km off the highway, you can do the Jarnem Walk. This excellent 7.5 km walk is the highlight of a stay here, with eroded sandstone beehive formations reminiscent of the Bungle Bungle... Find out more

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