Douglas & Daly River Region

Located midway between Darwin and Katherine, just off the Stuart Highway, and an easy scenic drive from both destinations, the region is famous for its fishing, and also boasts hot springs, gorges, bushwalking and an abundance of wildlife.

Also known as the Douglas Daly, after its two major river systems, the region has become a favourite spot for travellers to spend time camping,fishing, bushwalking, and swimming.

The Daly River, famous for its large barramundi, is one of the Top End’s most popular waterways for recreational fishing and boating and now hosts two major annual fishing competitions - the 'Barra Classic' and the 'Barra Nationals'. Oolloo Crossing has also proven to be an excellent spot for barra fishing in the early dry and for black bream all year round.

There are plenty of swimming holes in the Douglas Daly region. However, as saltwater crocodiles inhabit this area visitors are urged to look out for and observe crocodile warning signs as incidents with crocodiles have caused injury and death. A great spot for birdwatching and swimming are the Douglas Hot Springs. Swimming is best suited to the cooler pools upstream and downstream from the springs, which can be very hot.

Owned by the Wagiman Aboriginal people and jointly managed by the NT Parks and Wildlife Commission, this is an important place for women’s ceremonies. Butterfly Gorge is another picturesque swimming area where the pools are fringed with paperbark trees over 50 metres high and the crevices in the rock faces are inhabited by thousands of butterflies.

Must do: Swim through the natural land and water formation known as the Arches and the Waterhole. Explore the Jesuit Ruins at the Daly River Mango Farm for an insight into the influence of the Jesuit missionaries in the region over a hundred years ago. Browse through the authentic arts and crafts of the local Nauiyu community at the Merrepen Arts Centre and see artists at work. CATCH A BARRA! The Arches and the Waterhole ‘The Arches’, located near Douglas Daly Tourist Park, are a part of the Douglas River Esplanade Conservation Area. It is an amazing natural formation that allows you to swim right through the archway into the Waterhole, where you will find a sandy beach with a gentle gradient. Butterfly Gorge Nature Park Cool crevices in the rock face of beautiful Butterfly Gorge provide shelter for thousands of common crow butterflies. The rock pools provide a chance for a refreshing swim. The pools are shaded by paperbarks up to 50 metres tall. The sheer rock faces, edged by dense riverine vegetation and rocky spinifex country, offer shaded riverine walks and beautiful scenery. Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs 47km from the Stuart Highway via Oolloo Road. Free entry. The popular Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs Park protects part of the Douglas River, where thermal pools create an oasis in the surrounding dry woodland. The water attracts a wide variety of birdlife and mammals such as bandicoots, quolls and flying foxes. Camping is permitted, and caravan access is usually possible depending on seasonal conditions. Swimming is available in some areas of the Park, but it is important to test the temperature of the water before entering. Peppimenarti A small community, home to the Ngangikurrunggurr people, famous for their weaving, is accessed by an unsealed road, a continuation of the Daly River Crossing. Organised tours are available to visit Peppimenarti Art, where visitors may shop for artefacts and souvenirs, and learn of traditional culture. An Access Permit is required unless booked on an organised tour. Merrepen Arts Centre The Art Centre opened in 1986 and the artists are famous for their etchings and printmaking but also produce a number of artifacts in addition to paintings, using a multitude of materials and techniques in their creative expression. Using zinc plates, or lino plates, coloured ink and a press machine they produce etchings and prints, batik techniques using wax and silk painting to make t-shirts, scarves and sarongs, paper-mâché techniques to make bowls and animal figures, screen printing for tea-towels and other kind of fabric and weaving of Merrepen and Pandanus leaves to make dilly bags, fishnets, baskets and sun mats. The painting is done using acrylic colours on canvas materials stretched on a wooden frame. The frames are put together at the centre. The artists have always been open to new ideas on how to express their stories. They quickly become accustomed to each new medium introduced by early art coordinators or workshops, constantly improving in their art producing skills. The painting is done using acrylic colours on canvas materials stretched on a wooden stretcher. The artists have always been open to new ideas on how to express their stories. They quickly become accustomed to each new medium introduced by early art coordinators or workshops, constantly improving in their technical skills. The beautiful paintings produced by the ladies (and small number of men) of Merrepen Arts are stylistically very different to what is generally expected of Aboriginal art. The Centre is open daily between 10.00am – 5.00pm, but it is always best to call first and let them know you are coming. Fenton Airfield   Open daily. Free entry. Fenton Airfield was used mainly by Liberator bombers which mounted long range raids in the East Indies from 1942. The airfield suffered two heavy attacks by Japanese aircraft during mid-1943. The site is an outstanding example of a World War II heavy bomber airfield construction and layout. Daly River Crossing Daly River Crossing is a popular fishing and boating area that is renowned for its barramundi, its scenic surrounds, and its diverse wildlife. Powerful saltwater crocodiles lurk beneath the tranquil waters, and millions of migratory birds visit the area each year. Hayes Creek Hayes Creek is the southern gateway to the Douglas and Daly River regions. The escarpment surrounding Hayes Creek is quite picturesque. The Hayes Creek Wayside Inn offers a choice of accommodation including air-conditioned units, caravan park and camping sites, shaded swimming pool, fuel and food. It is the ideal base to explore the many historic World War II sites in the area. Jesuit Ruins The Jesuit Ruins on the Daly River Mango Farm, located along the Daly River Road, is one of the earliest examples of European settlement in the Top End. The ruins are accessed via a 2km scenic bush track. Visitors staying at the Mango Farm Caravan Park have free access to the ruins.