DECEMBER 2019
EXPERIENCE DJUKBINJ NATIONAL PARK WITH GECKO CAR HIRE TRIP INFO 4 DAYS - 1 WEEK DARWIN TO ELSEY NATIONAL PARK TO DARWIN BEST IN DRY SEASON JUNE - SEPTEMBER
Djukbinj National Park via Pocket Oz
Only an hour south-east of Darwin, but feeling like a whole other world away, the
Adelaide River, Djukbinj is an important
Djukbinj National Park (pronounced jook-
roosting and feeding habitat for a range of
binj) sits on the Arnhem Highway, east of
waterbirds including magpie geese, egrets
Humpty Doo. Home to a section of the
and brolgas, as well as other wildlife.
DECEMBER 2019
The park is a traditional hunting ground for the
Fogg Dam
Limilngan people, who today manage the park in partnership with Parks and Wildlife. Access
Fogg Dam is 20 minutes from the entrance to
to the park is limited between December and
Djukbinj National Park and is one of the most
March due to the area receiving 90% of its
accessible places in the Top End to see amazing
annual rain fall during this time.
wetlands and wildlife year-round. A variety of birds call the dam wall home, while you’ll also
Jumping Crocodile Cruise
spot water pythons, freshwater turtles, dusky rates and more. Take time to visit the bird hides
Just as you enter the Djukbinj area, near Wak
on the dam wall, and take a walk to Pandanus
Wak, you’ll find two jumping crocodile cruise
Knoll Lookout where you can view a spectacular
options – The Original Adelaide River Queen
sunrise or sunset over the wetlands.
Jumping Crocodile Cruise and Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise. Both companies run
Leaning Tree Lagoon Nature Park
a number of one-hour cruises throughout the day, giving you the chance to see a range of
Perfect for a lunch time stop, the Leaning Tree
crocodiles, and see them leap into the air. Get
Lagoon is located just off the Arnhem Highway
your cameras ready – this is a must do when in
close to Djukbinj National Park. This large
the area.
natural
lagoon
connects
with
the
other
waterways in the floodplain during the wet season, however during the dry season it is cut off from these other waterways and becomes an important wetland area for plants and animals. Spot the green pigmy geese among other unique native wildlife while having lunch and keep an eye out for the saltwater crocs that inhabit this area. Cultural Drive The National Park has a scenic drive through a network of floodplains and billbongs from Scotts Creek through to Twin Billabong. Scotts Creek supports a range of aquatic wildlife and is Adelaide Rive, NT. Originally on IG via @toripix86
best visited during the early dry season. This allows you to see the creek while it is still
DECEMBER 2019
flowing, giving you a chance to see the file snakes migrating upstream, as well as the abundance of fish. Twin Billabong is the largest billabongs in the park, and during the dry season divides into two different billabongs. Other stops include Little Sister Billabong, located right next to the road and home to waterlilies early in the dry season. Calf Billabong is a lovely place to stop for morning tea or lunch under the shade of a tree. As saltwater crocodiles inhabit this area, it is wise to steer clear of the water edge, with no swimming in the creeks, river and billabongs. Photography & Bird Watching As with many of the National Parks in the Northern
Territory
opportunities
for
there
is
plenty
photography
and
of bird
watching. You may spot a buffalo (introduced to the area in the late 1880’s), magpie geese, herons,
waterbirds
kookaburra
and
amongst
the
many
blue
winged
other
wildlife
species. Â At just an hour out of Darwin, Djukbinj National Park is perfect for a day trip, or for a stop on your way to Kakadu.