Garig Gunak Barlu National Park
Pristine white sandy beaches, Macassan traders visited the area colourful cliff-lines and sparkling regularly for centuries. In 1838 the Safety and Comfort blue waters teeming with life, are early British settlement of Victoria • Observe park safety signs. just some of the drawcards of was established at Port Essington, • No swimming anywhere in this magnificent Park. and lasted ten years. Although, the Park due to Estuarine (Saltwater) Crocodiles. Garig Gunak Barlu National Park over the years the Peninsula has • Carry and drink plenty of water. is pronounced Gah-rig Goon- supported various industries, including pastoralism and native • Wear a shady hat, sunscreen, uk Bar-loo. It was previously insect repellent, suitable known as Gurig National Park and forestry, today pearling and
Fact Sheet clothing and footwear. tourism are the most successful. Cobourg Marine Park. It is located • Carry a first aid kit. about 570 km (by road) northeast The Park protects the first wetland • Avoid strenuous activity during of Darwin on the Cobourg to be recognised as a Wetland of the heat of the day. Peninsula. The Park includes the International Importance under • Ensure your vehicle and boat are entire Peninsula, the surrounding an international agreement called well maintained and equipped. waters of the Arafura Sea and Van ‘The Convention on Wetlands • Carry sufficient food and fuel. Diemen Gulf, and some of the of International Importance’ neighbouring islands. It covers commonly known as Ramsar. It Please Remember about 4,500 sq. km. Cobourg was registered on 8 May 1974. • Permits are required. • Keep to designated roads and Peninsula is the only area in the There are 65 sites in Australia tracks. Northern Territory which contains registered with Ramsar, including adjoining land and marine parks. • Camp only in designated wetlands in Kakadu National Park. camping areas. Garig Gunak Barlu is jointly There are also sites of national • Rubbish bins only available managed with the Iwaidja archeological significance within for Smith Point campers. Be speaking peoples of the the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park. prepared to burn paper or carry Cobourg Peninsula. out recyclable materials. The Park consists of a mosaic Traditional land owners • All cultural items and wildlife are protected. of sandy beaches, dunes and The Park lies within the clan • Pets are not permitted. associated coastal grasslands, estates of the Iwaidja speaking mangroves, rainforest patches, peoples of Cobourg Peninsula. • Nets, traps and firearms are not permitted. swamps, lagoons, coral reefs, sea Custodianship is shared between • Take care with fire, light fires grass meadows and rich marine life. Aboriginal clan groups. only in fireplaces provided. It protects rare species, including These clans have continual Keep camp fires small. the Dugong and six marine turtles spiritual links with the land and • Collect firewood before arriving (Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Olive sea. Their ancestors from the at your picnic or campsite. Ridley, Leatherback and Flatback Creation Era (Dreamtime) created • Collect fallen timber only. Turtles). Garig Gunak Barlu is also the land and all it contains. The • Avoid using soaps and detergent home to the worlds largest wild Park therefore contains cultural in or near waterways. herd of Banteng. These Indonesian landscapes which have been • Generator camping area cattle are an endangered species in shaped and managed by cultural provided. their native habitat. traditions and is translated as: • Observe restrictions on fishing Garig (a local language name), catches and areas - see Rangers The area has an interesting for more information. Gunak (land), Barlu (deep water). ancient and contemporary history. • Shells are recycled by marine Archaeologists generally agree wildlife - look, photograph, that Aboriginal people have identify - leave on the beach. been living in the area • Check that your vehicle is not for 40,000 years. transporting pests like weeds Dugong and Cane Toads. Dugong dugong
Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory Black Point Ranger Station Regional Office - Goyder Centre Ph: (08) 8979 0244 25 Chung Wah Tce PALMERSTON NT PO Box 496 PALMERSTON NT 0831 www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au Ph: (08) 8999 4555 Joint Management and the Park boundary. campground and 5 km from Black Point. The Park is managed jointly by the • Alcohol may be carried but not There is no public transport within the traditional owners and the Parks & consumed while travelling through Park. Arnhemland to Garig Ganuk Barlu Wildlife Commission. By sea - the Park is two days sailing National Park Permission to Enter from Darwin (150 nautical miles). The • Check tide charts before setting out. The Permits are required to enter the Park. See best time to visit is between August tides at Cahills Crossing are about six Permits, Fees, Registration on page 4. and October when moderating east hours later than Darwin tides. Some tides to southeast winds prevail. Cyclones Access By Road - is via an unsealed may prevent you crossing the river. can occur between November and road (4WD only) through Arnhem • The roads are narrow, dusty and April. There are coral reefs and scenic Land. The roads are only open in the corrugated with blind corners and anchorage for all types of boats. Do not dry season (May - October), depending dangerous bends. Beware of oncoming anchor on coral reefs. on the rains. Roads can be closed for traffic. Drive slowly, with extreme care, ceremonial reasons with little notice. If especially between Murgenella and What to bring you are driving there are several things to Black Point. Come well equipped with food, fuel, remember. • Fuel is available at Jabiru. Be sure to water, first-aid kit, tool kit, spare tyres and • Caravans and motor bikes are not carry sufficient fuel to cover the 640 vehicle parts and shade awning, fishing permitted. Off road vans are permitted but km round trip through the park and gear, camera and binoculars. A boat is at your own risk. fuel required during your stay. Fuel is handy too. currently not available in the Park. • There is no mechanical service in the Park. Limited bore water is available. • Permits do not allow for stops between By Air charter - there is an airstrip Bring as much water as you can the East Alligator River (Cahills Crossing) at Smith Point, 2 km from the into the Park.
Getting There
Smith Point Danger Vashon Head Point
Trepang Black Araru Bay PointEssington
Seven Spirit Port Alcaro Bay Wilderness Lodge Cobourg No public 45 Point access beyond Cape Don this point Annesley Annesley 75 Victoria Point Settlement 70 Murgenella No public access beyond this point Mountnoris Bay
Murgenella 20 LEGEND Sir George Hope Islands
Camping area Travelling time from Cahill’s Crossing to Black Point is Fuel 3 - 4 hours. 95
ARNHEM LAND Ranger Station Coopers Creek Unsealed Road
East
Sealed Road Alligator Nabarlek Restricted area Oenpelli West 5 Pearling leases KAKADU NATIONAL PARK 43 Wildman River South Alligator Cahill’s Crossing. Park Boundary Beware of tides at
Alligator Crossing. River 35
River River Highway NOTE: Distances shown are Jabiru Arnhem approximate only. Darwin - Jabiru 250 kms Darwin 227 km Jabiru - Black Point 310 kms What to see and Do Scenic Views - beautiful Camping - there is one main Black Point Cultural remote coastlines with camping area in the Park. Smith Centre - features a display sandy beaches, and clear blue seas. Point: campground 1 is for campers of Aboriginal, Macassan and European Check which beaches are accessible by without generators and campground 2 histories of the area. The Ranger Station car or boat at the Ranger Station. Note: is for those using generators. Camping is also located here. Note: the public Sandy Islands I and II are Conservation areas have showers, composting toilets, phone only accepts Telstra phone cards. Areas and are NOT ACCESSIBLE or barbecues, tables and limited amounts of Wetland Walk - this walk takes to be approached within 500 m. bore water. Use water sparingly though you around a small freshwater Victoria Settlement - (no washing boats or cars). No powered wetland, which may still show damage ruins of an early northern sites available. Camping fees apply, see from Cyclone Ingrid. Starts near the Australian settlement. Access by boat details under Permits, Fees, Registration. Ranger Station. or commercial tour. An Information Generators - Silent Pack (65 decibel at Distance - 1.5 km Time - 1 hr. Sheet is available at the Ranger Station. 7m) preferred. Turn off by 9.00pm.
Visitor Access
Ngardimardi Wawadi (Ngar-di-mar-di) (Warwardi) No.1 TO Smith Point Sandy Island VASHON (Conservation Area - NO ACCESS) HEAD Huts Camping Areas (residents only) A irstrip No: 1 - No generators
No: 2 - Generators permitted
No access
Coral Bay Algarlarigari (Arl-garl-arl-garl) Wahwaldi Black Point (Wah-wal-di) Jetty Kuper Point (closed) No access Imarli (I-marli) C Seven Spirit Ga rig R o Stewart Point Turtle oa a Wilderness Resort Reef d s t Point a Point l D PORT BREMER r iv e Berkeley PORT ESSINGTON Bay Kennedy Bay
Table Head Caiman (Oo-narn)Unarn
Creek
LEGEND Curlew Bay Curlew Point Information Oyster Point Ranger Station
Camping area Knocker Bay Iidarnardu Boat ramp (Ii-dar-mar-di) Record Point Barrow Fishing Bay
Wetland Middle Murrumurrdmulya Head (Mord-or-mord-morl-ya) Access permitted Victoria Settlement (ruins) No access at any time
Restricted access Perling area PREVAILING DRY SEASON Use of other tracks not permitted. SE WINDS No off-road driving is permitted. Fishing - a wide variety of fish Permits, Fees, Registration Road Entry Fees - $232.10 per vehicle species inhabit these coastal You need a permit to stay in the Park (Camping Fee $220 plus Transit Fee waters. Please release large fish including overnight on the Peninsula, whether $12.10). This covers up to 5 adult Mackerel and Coral Trout. See the you arrive by road, air or sea. Book passengers for up to 7 nights. Extra Rangers for further information. well in advance especially during adult passengers - $11.00. Children No Swimming - the school holiday periods in the dry under 16 years - free. *All fees Estuarine (saltwater) season. In quieter times, allow two days inclusive of GST. Crocodiles cruise the beaches to process permits. Supply alternative Air and Sea Entry Fees - camping Sharks, Box Jellyfish, Blue-ringed dates if you can. permits are required if staying on the Octopus, stonefish and sea snakes also Peninsula overnight. Camping fees of live in these waters. $16.50* per person per night. Camp in Permit Applications - designated camping areas only. If you Boating - check local Contact the Permit Officer conditions. Register details are staying overnight on your vessels, Cobourg Peninsula please register at the Black Point of your boating trips at the Ranger Sanctuary and Marine Station before you set out. Ensure your Ranger Station on arrival. Skippers of Park Board. boat meets NT Marine regulations large vessels, please notify Rangers of PO Box 496 and carries adequate spare parts and your location via VHF Channel 16. emergency equipment. Reefs are often Palmerston NT 0831 Garig Gunak Barlu unmarked and uncharted and easily Tel (08) 8999 4814 National Park Fax (08) 8999 4524 covered by the tides. Open waters can Darwin be rough.
Garig Gunak Barlu National Park
ARAFURA SEA
Sandy Island II NGARDIMARDI WAWADI NO ACCESS Vashon Head Smith Point Sandy Island I NO ACCESS ALGARLARLGARI GUL GUL
Allaru Island Coral Black Point Port Bremmer Bay ARARU GUMURAGI Trapang Bay MERIAH Port Essington ARDBINAE Raffles Bay Alcaro BOWEN STRAIT Bay Cape Don 45
IRGUL
No public access beyond this point LEGEND High Black Rock 75 No public 50 Information access beyond this point Aiton Bay Ranger Station Burford Island Low water mark Two Hills (approx.) Bay E HOPE EORG ISLA Wunmiyi Island R G ND Roads SI S Wangoindjung Island Greenhill Morse Island Park Boudary Island Warldagawaji Island
Mogogout Island Anchorage
VAN DIEMEN GULF Outstations
D/05/2015PWCNT Fact Sheet For more information see our website: www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au or contact Tourism Top End (08) 8980 6000 or 1300 138 886 www.tourismtopend.com.au