Keep River National Park is located in the Northern Territory of Australia, sitting on land belonging to the Mirriwung and Gadjerong people, 467 kilometres from Katherine and on the border with Western Australia. The park spans over an area of 574.37 kilometers squared: although not huge, it is filled with wonders. Keep River is proud of its remarkable sandstone landscape, as red rocks and green florals contrast one another. There are four walking tracks in the park: Ginger’s Hill Walk, Goorrandalng Walk, Jenemoom Walk, and Jarnem Walks. Keep River also offers Aboriginal sites where the Miriwoong and Gajirrabeng people have lived, with paintings available on Ginger’s Hill and Langgerrbi (Nigli Gap) at Jarnem. The views along the walks are absolutely stunning, with sand formations that one cannot imagine. Tired at night? Keep River offers 2 campgrounds, one at Goorrandalng and one at Jarnem. There are diverse fauna and floral life found throughout the park, with an abundance of birds and reptiles spotted throughout the park. Some prominent birds include the Spinfex Pigeon, Black-faced Woodswallow, and the Rainbow Bee-eater. Watch out for crocodiles though, they are present in waterways, so avoid swimming, and always follow the signs. Access the park 3km east of the NT/WA border, although roads may be corrugated or closed at times. Come and explore the hidden gems in Keep River, you will never be disappointed. Plan your trip today!

How to get to Keep River National Park

The Park entrance is 3 km east of the NT/WA border. The 2WD gravel roads to the main attractions may be corrugated. Roads are closed at times due to flooding between November and April. Find out Park road conditions by phoning the Park and Wildlife offices (Phone: 08 9167 8827). Other road conditions are available by phoning 1800 246 199, or checking the road conditions website: www.roadreport.nt.gov.au

Park maps with marked points of interest and destinations:

Check out more details at https://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/200100/keep-river-national-park-fact-sheet.pdf

What you can do at Keep River

• Bushwalking
• Camping
• Aboriginal sites
• Wildlife spotting
• Scenic lookout
• Ranger-guided tours.

Note: Camping fees apply and are payable on-site.

Camping Information

You must pay a fee to camp in Northern Territory (NT) parks. The fee will depend on the campground facilities. Camping areas with more facilities are usually more expensive. Fees for category A and B campgrounds are collected on-site. You must provide the correct amount as change is not available. Camping is on a first come, first served basis. You cannot book in advance unless you are planning to stay at a category C campground. Generators and caravans are only allowed in certain campgrounds. The category of the two campgrounds in Keep River are listed below:

• Goorrandalng (Category B)
  • Caravans allowed
  • Generator area
• Jarnem (Category B)
  • Caravans allowed

Camping facilities

Keep River National Park has all of the following facilities:

• information signs
• ranger station
• visitor centre – open from 6:30am to 6:30pm
• fire pits
• limited drinking water
• public toilets
• picnic area
• campgrounds
• walking tracks
• public payphone – in front of the ranger station.

Camping etiquette

• Remember to pick up your trash: there will be no bins provided
• Fees are payable in cash, and no change will be provided
• All cultural items and animals are protected
• Pets are not allowed in the park
• Nets, traps and firearms are not permitted
• Take care with fire
• Camp only in designated camping areas
• Collect firewood before arriving
• Generators are only permitted at GOorrandalng
• campground between 7:30am and 8:30pm
• Overnight stays requires a permit

Variety of trails & difficulty, length, etc.

• Ginger’s Hil Walk: 200m return, expect 15 minutes, easy
• Goorrandalng Walk: 2 km loop, expect 1 hour, moderate
• Jenemoom Walk: 3 km return, expect 2 hours, moderate
• Jarnem Walks
• Langgerrbi (Nigli Gap) Walk: 6 km return, expect 2 hours, easy
• Jarnem Loop Walk: 6.5 km loop, expect 3.5 hours, moderate to difficult
• Jarnem Lookout Walk: 4.6 km returnmm expect 2.5 hours, moderate to difficult
• For more information about the walks, please visit Here

Brief info on travelling with family & pets

• Pets are NOT allowed in the park!
• Ensure accommodations for long family trips, drinking water is limited

What to pack for a visit to Keep River National Park?

• Bring your firewood before arriving at picnic spots
• Bring enough hydration: drinking water is limited
• Hats and proper shoes
• Sunscreen
• Food
• Insect repellent
• First aid kit
•  

Day trip information (How long will hikes take? Where to park?)

• Hikes can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours: be aware
• Park at Woorribem Cockatoo Lagoon
  

Safety advice

• Observe park safety signs
• Carry plenty of drinking water
• Avoid strenuous activity in the heat
• Ensure your vehicle is well maintained and equipped
• DO NOT swim in the waterways! There may be saltwater crocodiles
• Please phone 08 9167 8827 to check if park is open, or check the NT government website
• For crocodile safety, please check https://becrocwise.nt.gov.au/

Keep River National Park is a remarkable place in terms of the variety of species and numbers of birds. Stop in at Woorrilbem (Cockatoo Lagoon); it’s a great spot for birds. Some common sightings include:

• Spinifex pigeon (Geophas plumifera)
  • A small and compact pigeon, able to live in dry rocky rocky creek beds or mountainous terrains with extreme heat
  • Tend to live in small groups and around surface water
  • Belly color depends on which region they’re from
• Black-faced Woodswallow
  • 18-19 cm long, widespread species in Australia, blue-grey beak with a black tip and black face mask
  • Numbers are declining from fires and increased vegetation
•  Egrets
  • There are 3 types of egrets commonly found: Cattle Egrets ,Great Egrets, and Little Egrets
  • Has a white of buff plumage, usually white
  • Can be found in many regions
•  Gouldian finch
  • Colorful passerine bird native to Australia, with blacck green yellow and red markings
  • 125-140mm long
  • As habitats are altered and reduced, along with increased parasites, Gouldian finches are considered endangered with a ban on export

For more detailed bird list, please visit Here

When visiting the park, remember all of the following:

• camping fees apply – cash only – no change available onsite
• take your rubbish with you as there are no bins in the park
• stay on marked roads and tracks
• use free interactive park maps on your mobile phone or tablet
• cultural items and wildlife are protected
• pets are not permitted in the park
• nets, traps and firearms are not permitted
• be careful with fire and light fires only in fireplaces provided
• camp only in marked camping areas
• collect firewood before arriving at your picnic or campsite
• generators are only permitted at Goorrandalng Campground between 7:30am and 8:30pm
• follow all fishing laws
• check your vehicle is not transporting pests like weeds and cane toads
• a permit is needed to fly a drone – you must get the permit before you get to the park.