Holmes Jungle Nature Park

overview | how to get there | when to visit | what to see & do | visitor facilities | please remember |
fact sheet & map | Recreational Activities | Scenic and Cultural Features |
Plants & Animals | ranger guided activities

Palm Creek

Overview

Holmes Jungle Nature Park protects one of the few remaining areas of monsoon forest in the Darwin area.

Large numbers of birds, mammals and reptiles breed and seek refuge in the monsoon forest, with the dense vegetation offering protection from the heat and predators.

This Park covers 250 hectares, with Palm Creek winding through it's centre.

How to Get There

Turn north off Vanderlin Drive to the Shoal Bay Recycling Centre.

Then enter the Park through the second gate on your right. Signs show the way.

When to Visit

A pleasant place for walks and picnics any time of the year.

However, the Park is closed to vehicles between 7 pm and 7 am and some roads are closed to vehicles during the wet season (October - April).

What to See and Do

Lookout

From the main picnic area there are panoramic views of the wetlands to the north, monsoon forest to the east and undulating ridges and savannah woodlands to the south. The lower picnic area provides easy access to Palm Creek.

• Recreational Activities
• Scenic and Cultural Features
• Plants & Animals
• Ranger Guided Activities

Visitor Facilties

Drinking water and toilet facilities are available. Barbeque's are not provided.

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Please Remember

Safety and comfort

• Observe park safety signs.
• Carry and drink plenty of water.
• Wear a shady hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
• Wear suitable clothing and footwear.
• Carry a first aid kit.
• Avoid strenuous activity during the heat of the day.
• Beware of theft, lock vehicles and secure valuables.

Please remember

• Put your rubbish in the bin or take it away with you.
• Keep to designated roads and tracks.
• All cultural items and wildlife are protected.
• Nets, traps and firearms are not permitted.
• Camping is not permitted.
• No fishing.
• Check that your vehicle is not transporting pests like weeds and Cane Toads

Fact Sheet

• Download fact sheet (pdf 651Kb)

Recreational Activities

• Cycling Path
  Cycling and Horse Riding - a series of tracks are available for cyclists and horse-riders, but please observe signs and do not use the walking tracks.
• Picnic Tables
  Take a packed lunch, sit under the rotunda's and enjoy the scenery. No barbeque's are available.
• Walking Tracks
  The Jungle Walk winds along Palm Creek and through the monsoon forest. A further section of track connects the Jungle Walk with the main picnic area.

Scenic and Cultural Features

The area which is now Holmes Jungle Nature Park has been a popular place for picnics since first non-Aboriginal settlement of Darwin over 100 years ago. Harriet Daly recorded its use in the early 1870s as a destination for picnics, collecting flowers and ferns, and shooting or hunting.

Although it had been used for grazing and agriculture the area was a popular recreation area for members of the armed forces during WWII.

Plants and Animals

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for Spangled Drongoes and the Torres Strait Imperial-pigeons in the wet season. The tiny Red-backed Fairy-wren is commonly found in clumps of pandanus throughout the Park.

Ranger Guided Activities

Guided walk

• When: Thursdays 19 & 26 June.
  Thursdays 3, 10 & 24 July, 2008.
• Time: 10am - 1hour
• Meet: Hilltop picnic area
• Book: 8999 4555

Holmes Jungle Highlights - discover the history of Holmes Jungle and the natural highlights of this special monsoon vine forest.

Notices of the talks are advertised in the local newspaper or further details are available on 8999 4555.

 

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