Howard Springs Nature Park

Howard Springs Nature Park is a great place to enjoy wildlife including turtles, barramundi, file snakes and freshwater fish species.

You can cool off in a shallow series of man-made rock pools, let the kids enjoy the adventure playground and relax with a quiet picnic or barbeque.

You cannot swim in the spring-fed waterhole.

You can do all of the following activities in the park:

Cool off in the toddler pool or shady man-made rockpools and waterfall
picnicking
bushwalking
wildlife watching
birdwatching
playground
ranger-guided activities.

Howard Springs Nature Park has been a recreational venue for the people of Darwin since World War II.

Its diverse habitats include monsoon forests and extensive woodlands, providing a valuable wildlife habitat.

Bring your hamper and find a shady spot, where you'll be able to picnic with ibis and agile wallabies on the lawns near the main pool. Along the 1.8 kilometre walking track you will learn about some of the many varied plants and animals of the area. Alternatively, follow the short track into the dense rainforest to see the springs that feed the main pool. An all season wading pool has been constructed and affords a great opportunity for kids to cool down after playing in the adventure playground.

Signs on the walkway will help you identify some of the fish, including barramundi, which can be seen from the weir wall.

During World War II, rest and recreation camps for up to 120 men were set up for Australian and American servicemen. The weir was built in 1944 by the Royal Australian Engineers to improve access to the waterhole.

The Parks and Wildlife Commission is responsible for the care, control and management of 87 parks and reserves throughout the Northern Territory, Australia

Open all year round open daily from 7.30am to 7pm.

Howard Springs Nature Park is 27km south-east of Darwin.

Travel south on the Stuart Highway and turn east off the Highway onto Howard Springs Road.

Follow the signs from here.