My favourite walks in the NT
Last year I spent a lot of time writing and photographing for my new book coming out in a few weeks. Discovering Natural Northern Territory is a 200 page guidebook focusing solely on the natural areas of the NT. That’s national parks, reserves and plenty of lesser-known smaller parks all over the NT and what you can do and see there. From views and walks, birdwatching and swimming, where to sleep and plenty of local’s tips to help you get the best out of exploring the Northern Territory.
Discovering Natural Northern Territory is due for release April 1st 2024
Anyway - all of this writing and researching and photographing got me thinking!
What are my favourite places in the NT?!
Hiking in Nitmiluk during the dry season
I get asked that question in my work a lot… I can’t possibly pick a favourite place to shoot, explore, walk or swim, but I can come up with a top 5!
This is the first blog in what I will hopefully manage to create a little series of Top 5’s…. all based in the NT
Starting with my Top 5 walks (and by walks, I mean shorter walks, maximum one day).
I’d also love to do Top 5 hikes (i.e. longer, multi day hikes)
Top 5 regions to photograph…
Top 5 places for wildlife in the NT….
The list goes on!
TOP 5 Walks
(in no particular order!)
Barrk Walk at Nourlangie, Kakadu National Park
Southern Walks, Southern Rockhole and Pat’s Lookout, Nitmiluk National Park
Goorrandalng Walk at Keep River National Park
Kings Canyon Rim Walk, Watarrka National Park
Ormiston Pound Walk, Tjoritja National Park (West MacDonnell Ranges)
Scroll on for a little bit of info about each.
Barrk Walk
This 12km loop walk has a steep start to reach the top of the sandstone outcrop of Nourlangie, in Kakadu National Park. Once the rocky ascent is done, the trail winds its way through a maze of sandstone that sits on the top of the escarpment. The trail takes you past an amazing rock art gallery that features first contact paintings, before walking back down to the valley to the main carpark.
Barrk Walk, Nourlangie
The main highlights for me on this walk are:
The views over the open landscape after that first climb
The gorgeous Pandanus basedowii you can find on the ascent (sandstone pandanus). They’re endemic only to the edge of the Arnhem Land escarpment in eastern Kakadu.
On top of the escarpment are some fabulous rock formations and pillars, scattered between the native green-gold flora of the stone country.
The shady rock art overhang is a great little lunch spot!
I love this walk in the late wet season when there’s small pools of water on the top of the escarpment and sometimes even fresh water flowing from the rocks! However, it can be really hot. I’ve done this walk several times and twice I’ve run out of water despite carrying 3l.
Southern Walks
Nitmiluk National Park has a great selection of walks for every fitness level. Starting from their shortest walk to Baruwei Lookout or at Leliyn the short walks to the Upper Pools of Edith Falls. Nitmiluk’s longest walks are the 62km Jatbula Trail or a customisable multi-day adventure along the network of interconnected routes of the Southern Walks.
For those who want to explore the Southern Walks on a day walk, the most doable and interesting walk is the Windolf Walk to Pat’s Lookout and Southern Rockhole at the end of the first gorge. The return distance is 9.1km.
Pats Lookout
This walk begins with a steep rocky incline to get up on to the escarpment. From there, the route follows a gravel vehicle track before turning off on to a narrow track to the edge of the gorge. There are a few gentle up and downs as the trail winds through the typical open woodland of the Katherine region. The track follows along the rocky edges before meeting the open vista that is Pat’s Lookout. From here it’s a steep, rocky descent to reach a small pool and (seasonal) waterfall at Southern Rockhole.
Nitmiluk flora
The main highlights for me on this walk are:
The beautiful flora of Nitmiluk. Keep your eyes peeled for pink grevillea flowers, the livistona palms on rock edges and my favourite eucalypt Eucalytpus phonecia
The view into the gorge from Pat’s Lookout is an iconic Nitmiluk view - keep an eye out for crocs in the wet season!
Southern Rockhole is a lovely shady spot for a swim
This is another walk that's my favourite in the wet season. Mainly because everything is flowering and green, and Southern Rockhole is at it’s best. It can be closed for swimming late into the dry season as the water flow is non existent and the stagnant water is not swimmable!
Southern Rockhole
Goorrandalng Walk
A lesser known, much more remote national prk near Kununnurra is Keep River National Park. More like the Kimberley environment than the Top End, the region is geologically very photogenic!
The Goorrandalng Walk is a short walk, a 2km loop from the adjacent campground. The walk is through open woodland and past stunning rock formations before reaching a rocky ledge with stunning views. The nearby Jarnem walk is also varied and through a maze of interesting rocks!
Sunset views in Keep River NP
The main highlights for me on this walk are:
The isolation
The views at sunrise and sunset
The stunning red rocks
The view from nearby Goorrandalng campground at the start of the walk
Kings Canyon Rim Walk
One of the better known walks of the NT, for good reason! A 6km loop which begins with a steep climb to reach the rim, which loops around the edge of the gorge with spectacular views the whole way! The landscape on the top of the canyon is unexpected and dramatic, as the trail twists its way through rocky chasms and around mini rock domes and outcrops.
Sunrise on the rim
The rim walk descends the steep gorge into a hidden oases in the Garden of Eden, with a pool and lush green cycads and eucalypts. Climbing back out the other side of the shady gorge leads to the sheer South Wall before descending more gentle slope back down from the upper canyon.
The main highlights for me on this walk are:
Ascending up that steep initial climb in the dark to see sunrise over Kings Canyon
The wide open views, obviously!
The suprisingly varied terrain on the rim, which is extra special after rain when pools fill and waterfalls can flow.
The Garden of Eden
The gnarly ghost gums that hang off the cliffs
Iconic NT colours, cliffs and lots of red
The South Wall
Ormiston Gorge
Ormiston Pound Walk
Ormiston Gorge is one of the highlights of the West MacDonnell Ranges with its majestic red cliffs and sparkling reflections. Gnarly ghost gums line the waters edge and the visitor area here has a great selection of short walks. The Ormiston Pound walk heads in an 8.4km loop up and down the scenic hills before walking through the back end of the gorge. After periods of rain, there’s often a water crossing or a swim to end the walk and return to the main gorge area.
The main highlights for me on this walk are:
Ormiston Gorge is one of my favourite places to shoot, especially at sunrise. The gorge is just magnificent, you have to see it!
The lesser visited gorge at the end of the walk, is mostly dry but has some stunning rock formations
What about you?!
Have you done these walks? Did you like them?
Or do you have a different set of favourite walks in the NT?!
For those who want to explore more, you can purchase by book Discovering Natural Northern Territory from the 1st April.