This Christmas season, we’re celebrating the Northern Territory with a series of stories that highlight the landscapes, wildlife, and wonder that make a Top End holiday feel so special. And today, we’re heading straight for one of the NT’s most breathtaking places—Nitmiluk National Park.
Among its sandstone gorges and sweeping savanna, one local steals the spotlight every time: the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo. Striking, social, and impossible to miss, these birds are part of what makes Nitmiluk feel truly alive. Here’s why they’ve got us completely hooked this Christmas.
Want to know all about planning your trip to Nitmiluk National Park? Scroll to the bottom of the post to see which site locals use to book hotels, where trusted travelers book tours, and how to find the best flight deals. Or Click Here to be taken there now.
The Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo
COMMON NAME: Red-tailed Black Cockatoo
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Calyptorhynchus banksii
TYPE: Bird
DIET: Seeds
SIZE: Length 53–55 cm. Weight 600–610 g.
The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is a large and glossy black cockatoo, with a large crest. Adult females are often duller than adult males, with bold yellow spots on the head, neck and wings, yellowish barring to the underbody, and paler panels in the tail, which vary from pale yellow to yellow grading to orange towards the tip.
Adult males are glossier black than the females, with broad bright-red panels in the tail, and a dark-grey bill and ring around the eye.
Where does the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo Live?
The Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo occupies a variety of habitats across inland and northern Australia, but it is most commonly associated with gum-lined river systems, where water and food are abundant. In the Northern Territory, iconic locations like Nitmiluk National Park provide the ideal mix of tall trees for nesting and open areas for foraging.
Beyond riverbanks, these birds can also be spotted in grasslands, woodlands, and even some farmlands, adapting to landscapes that provide seeds, nuts, and shelter. Their presence across diverse environments highlights both their adaptability and the importance of preserving these natural habitats.
What does the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo Eat?
These dark birds mainly eat seeds but also fruit, berries, nectar, flowers and sometimes insects and larvae.
These birds have very strong beaks and they use these to break open hard, seed capsules of gum trees. They can then extract the kernel from within the seed pod! In inland Australia, these beauties feed on proteas, casuarinas and other small trees.
Courtship and Nesting
During their courtship, the males strut along a tree branch bowing towards the female, with his tail feathers fanned out, and his head feathers all ruffled up, giving a low, gurgling sound. They like giving the females a show! From March to July in the Northern Territory these birds nest and the males feed the females.
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Nitmiluk National Park
The land of the gorges!
Nitmiluk National Park is a cultural landscape, where Jawoyn people live and work. The unique concept of the First Nations people working and living on the land makes this place a gem on the Australian landscape.
The Gorge entrance to the park is 30km east of Katherine on the sealed Gorge Road. Follow the signs. The turnoff to Leliyn (Edith Falls) is 40km north of Katherine along the Stuart Highway. The park entrance is 20km further along Edith Falls Road.
The best time to visit is from during the dry season from May to September. This is because in the wet season flooding may restrict the range of activities available and sometimes prevent access to the Park.
When you come for a visit, be sure to bring your sense of adventure, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, a first aid kit, plenty of water and comfortable walking shoes. Maybe even a change of socks!
What to See and Do in Nitmiluk National Park?
Considered one of the gems of the Northern Territory, Nitmiluk National Park is filled with activities that will keep you occupied for days on end! You can take a day trip from Darwin to Nitmiluk Gorge, however, stay in the area so you have the opportunity to experience this part of the world for a few and explore this GORGE-ous park.
Top activities you can do in the park include:
- Boat Tours
- Walking
- Canoeing
- Mountain Biking
- Heli Tours
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
The Park has other facilities, all of which are aimed at making your experience a more memorable one! The grassed picnic area with gas barbies, tables and toilets makes it easier for you to enjoy a day out in the Park. The fully serviced campground with powered sites and chalets makes overnight hiking a bit easier as you can have your campervan safely stored. The Nitmiluk Centre with information, offers a wealth of information in their interpretive display. The cafe, souvenir shop and tour booking desk are ideal for bringing something for you to remember your trip by.
For more, see our other posts on Nitmiluk like the top must-do hikes and the complete Edith Falls guide.
Keen on exploring Nitmiluk National Park? We hope you have an amazing time visiting the Nitmiluk National Park. We would love your feedback on this page – please comment below if you’ve been to Nitmiluk National Park or seen a Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.
Norther would like to invite you to explore more about the beauty of Nitmiluk National Park here. And… as always you can get more inspiration for other National Parks & Destinations to visit by following @northerhq or get your Nitmiluk National Park daily fix @nitmiluknationalpark
*Cover image by @sierrapb on IG.
Have you explored Nitmiluk National Park? We’d love to hear from you! Your feedback helps us enhance the visitor experience, so please take a moment to comment below and share your tips and recommendations.
Norther would like to invite you to explore more about the beauty of Nitmiluk National Park here. And… as always, you can get more inspiration for other National Parks & Destinations to visit by following @northerhq or get your Nitmiluk National Park daily fix @nitmiluknationalpark
Heading to the NT? Here’s What You Need to Get Started
Travel Insurance
Whether you’re from Australia or across the globe, it’s a great idea to get insurance to cover unexpected accidents or medical emergencies. Cover More is our favourite travel insurance provider to give us the peace of mind while heading to the outback.
Flights
For the best deals on flights, we recommend using Trip.com. It’s super easy to compare prices across different airlines and booking sites. I always find great options for my trips, and it saves me so much time and money!
Hotels
We always recommend using Booking.com for hotels. They have a variety of accommodation options and great filters to help you find the perfect place for your trip to the NT. With amazing deals, a great loyalty program, and the largest selection of hotels and rentals, it’s our favourite place to book rooms.
Tours
Tours, either multi-day, half-day, or private excursions, are a great way to experience the NT. Viator has a great selection of activities to help you travel the Territory and learn from locals.
Car Rental
If you're looking to rent a car to explore the Territory on your own, we suggest checking out Budget. It’s so easy to compare prices and find the best option from their huge selection of cars. Or try Rentalcars.com to see cars from all rental companies in the NT.
National Parks Pass
If you live outside the NT and plan on visiting national parks, you'll need a Parks pass. Choose from a day pass, a 2-week pass, 12-month pass, or family pass at NT.gov.au. If you're an NT resident be sure you bring your NT driver licence or proof of residency. Note: Park Passes are not accepted at Kakadu or Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks. Purchase those from Parks Australia.
Sim Card
If you're travelling and need a reliable connection, We'd recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo. Choose from data only or cellular connection. It’s super convenient and helps you stay connected without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or paying exorbitant fees to your wireless provider.
