Tag Archives: Dry Season

Top 5 croc-free swimming holes in the Northern Territory

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Gunlom (Waterfall Creek), Kakadu National Park, Tourism Australia

Gunlom (Waterfall Creek), Kakadu National Park, Tourism Australia

Want to cool down in a croc-free swimming hole after exploring the hot spots of the Northern Territory? We’ve picked five swimming holes across the Territory that are (normally) croc free.

Berry Springs, Berry Springs Nature Park

The natural springs at Berry Springs Nature Park couldn’t look more like a picture-perfect oasis if they had been designed by Disney. An emerald pool, fringed by jungle green is exactly what a Disney princess – or anyone, really – would want to swim in after an exhausting day exploring the Northern Territory.

Only 50km from Darwin, Berry Springs doesn’t have any crocs (although you should always read the warning signs), and has several easily accessible pools ranged along Berry Creek.

Gunlom Pool, Kakadu National Park

If crocodiles have a spiritual home in the imaginations of most Australians, it would be at the wildly beautiful Kakadu National Park. And yup, you’ll find crocodiles in most waterholes and rivers and wetlands here. But there is a pool, hidden at the top of a waterfall, that you can only find after a steep hike up. You might be tempted to think that Gunlom Pool is a mirage, but the cold water will soon shock you out of that. Relax in the water while enjoying panoramic views over the park. While crocs up this high are rare, it’s always a possibility, so be careful.

Wangi Falls, Litchfield National Park

Disclaimer: there sometimes are crocs at Wangi Falls. It’s one of the designated swimming areas in Litchfield National Park, along with Buley Rock Hole, Florence Falls, Walker Creek and the Cascades. But as one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Northern Territory, this swimming spot is monitored by rangers and has a permanent croc trap just upstream, although you should always be cautious and follow the warning signs. As for the swimming hole itself? At the bottom of a charming waterhole, it’s a picturesque spot, fringed with trees clinging to the volcanic-looking rocks.

Ormiston Gorge, West MacDonnell Ranges National Park

Phhheww, we’re in the Red Centre – you don’t have to worry about crocs here. Ormiston Gorge is in West MacDonnell National Park. You’ll also find swimming holes at Ellery Creek Big Hole and Redbank Gorge (where you can float through the narrow enclosing walls) in the park. The biggest risk at this swimming hole is that you’ll be so transfixed by the red walls rising above the water (especially if you’re there at sunrise or sunset) and the fringing gums that you’ll stay in the water too long and get hypothermia, a serious concern at these chilly spots.

Leliyn (Edith Falls), Nitmiluk National Park

Nitmiluk National Park has a permanent condition of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. The national park is a series of interconnected gorges, the most famous of which is Katherine Gorge. Nitmiluk is a popular canoeing destination, but it’s not too shabby for swimming either, with swimming spots being open in dry season at Leliyn (Edith Falls) and Sweetwater Pool.

With a waterfall and a large pool with easy access, you’ll definitely want to cool off here. Freshwater crocs are common in the park, but while saltwater crocs hang out here in the wet season, rangers move them on in dry. But, as with any swimming hole in the Top End, be cautious and read the warning signs before you swim.

Find out how to get to these swimming holes as quickly as possible with UBD Gregory’s South Australian and Northern Territory street directory.

 

     

Top 16 winter camping spots

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Gunlom camping area, Kakadu National Park, Lyndon Sparrow

Gunlom camping area, Kakadu National Park, Lyndon Sparrow

Want to camp without freezing your tent pegs off this winter? We’ve picked the best winter campsites in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Lawn Hill Gorge camping area, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, Queensland

It’s hot, dusty – and incredibly beautiful. This is an oasis in the outback, with a palm-fringed emerald river hiding in a gorge. Lawn Hill Gorge camping area is the best camping area in the national park and has 20 sites ranged next to the creek.

Darlington Park camping area, Beaudesert, Queensland

This family-friendly gem is in the Gold Coast hinterland. With plenty of space and facilities, Darlington Park camping area is a popular site.

Platypus Bush Camp, Finch Hatton Gorge, Queensland

You might not catch a glimpse of Australia’s most elusive native creature (the platypus!) at this enchanting rainforest campground, but less elusive features here include hot showers with views, treehouses and a camp kitchen.

Babinda Creek camping area, Babinda, Queensland

Find water you can swim in at Babinda Creek camping area, a family-friendly camping area with good facilities nestled next to a creek south of Cairns.

Maureen’s Cove camping area, Whitsundays National Park, Queensland

It’s the holy grail of travel – good budget accommodation within an expensive tourist precinct. The campsites in Whitsundays National Park are one such accommodation option. Boat-access only Maureen’s Cove camping area is on the north coast of Hook Island. It has limited facilities, but swell snorkelling just offshore.

MV Sarawak camping area, Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area, Queensland

Dog-friendly and suitable for large groups, these campsites with a view (looking onto Fraser Island) might have limited facilities but that has not limited their popularity. Well worth a visit.

Camerons Corner camping area, Queensland

Camerons Corner camping area is the point where Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales meet – it’s also on the edge of the Stuart Desert, so you know it’s hot. There are good facilities and a store here.

Carnarvon Gorge camping area, Carnarvon National Park, Queensland

Gorge yourself on the views at Carnarvon Gorge – and then head back to Carnarvon Gorge camping area for the night. Only open during certain school holidays, this campground has good facilities and good access to the main attraction in the park.

Punsand Bay Camping Resort, Cape York, Queensland

It’s a long way to the top, but the drive is worth it for views like these – and for the experience of being at the tip of Australia. Punsand Bay Camping Resort is the closest campground to the northernmost point of Australia, and has tip-top facilities and activities.

Gunlom camping area, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

This is one of the best camping areas in Kakadu, and not just because it has great facilities (although it does). No, this camping area is at the base of Gunlom Falls, where the views are remarkable and the waters are normally croc free.

Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary, Gibb River Road, Western Australia

Around 95km off Gibb River Road, down a well-graded road, this campsite is run by the not-for-profit Australian Wildlife Conservancy. It’s basic but beautiful, with shady sites ranged next to the river. And, as the name suggests, it’s a hang-out for local wildlife, as well as being close to gorges and other gorge-ous vistas.

Kooljaman camping area, Cape Leveque, Western Australia

Does it get much better than this? You’ll have to go and see for yourself.

The campground in Cape Leveque Wilderness Camp is suitably remote and beautiful (it’s greener than you’d expect), the facilities and amenities are good, and if you go for two nights, you’ll often end up staying for four.

Dales camping area, Karijini National Park, Western Australia

Karijini National Park is the jewel in the desert crown of the Pilbara region. On first glance, the national park seems to be red desert and shrubs. But the mountainous national park is hiding gorges with jewel-toned swimming holes and waterfalls. Dales camping area is near some of the best sights in the park, and has good facilities.

Surprise Creek Falls camping area, Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory

It wouldn’t surprise us if you fall in love with this remote and basic campsite in Litchfield National Park, if only for its access to an enchanting swimming hole.

Butterfly Springs camping area, Limmen National Park, Northern Territory

The three best things about this camping area are that it’s free, the spring that the campsite is named for is enchanting (and the only place to safely swim in the park), and it has a large population of butterflies that will flutter around you like you’re Snow White. A short distance off the Savannah Way, you can only stay at this campsite in dry weather.

Ormiston Gorge camping area, West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, Northern Territory

This camping area has one of the most scenic toilets you’ll find in Australia – and apart from that, it has great access to Ormiston Gorge, one of the Red Centre’s best known swimming holes.