Garig Gunak Barlu National Park

Pristine white sandy beaches, area in excess of 40,000 years. Safety and Comfort colourful cliff-lines and sparkling Macassan traders visited the area • Observe Park safety signs. blue waters teeming with life are regularly for centuries. • No swimming anywhere in just some of the drawcards of In 1838 the early British settlement the Park due to Saltwater this magnificent Park. of was established at Crocodiles. Garig Gunak Barlu National Park is , and lasted ten • Carry and drink plenty of water. pronounced Gah-rig Goon-uk Bar- years. Although over the years the • Wear a shady hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, suitable loo. It was previously known as Peninsula has supported various clothing and footwear. Gurig National Park and Cobourg industries, including pastoralism Fact Sheet • Carry a first aid kit. Marine Park. Garig is Aboriginal and native forestry, today • Avoid strenuous activity during owned land, jointly managed by pearling and tourism are the most the heat of the day. a Board consisting of Iwaidja successful. • Ensure your vehicle and boat are speaking peoples of the Cobourg The Park protects the first wetland well maintained and equipped. Peninsula and NT Government to be recognised as a Wetland of • Carry sufficient food and fuel. representatives. International Importance under Please Remember Garig is located about 570 km ‘The Convention on Wetlands • Off road driving is forbidden. (by road) northeast of Darwin on of International Importance’ Keep to designated roads and the . The Park commonly known as Ramsar. It tracks. includes the entire Peninsula, the was registered on 8 May 1974. • A permit is required for Drone surrounding waters of the Arafura use - conditions apply and it There are 65 sites in must be obtained prior to your Sea and , and registered with Ramsar, including arrival in the Park. some of the neighbouring islands. wetlands in . • Rubbish bins only available 2 It covers about 4,500 km . It is one for Smith Point campers. Be of only two areas in the Northern There are also sites of national prepared to burn paper or carry Territory which contains adjoining archeological significance within out recyclable materials. land and marine parks. Garig Gunak Barlu National Park. • All cultural items and wildlife are protected. The Park consists of a mosaic Traditional Land Owners • Pets are not permitted. The Park lies within the clan estates of sandy beaches, dunes and • Nets, traps and firearms are not associated coastal grasslands, of the Iwaidja speaking peoples of permitted unless a permit has mangroves, rainforest patches, Cobourg Peninsula. Custodianship been obtained. Cast nets and swamps, lagoons, coral reefs, sea is shared between Aboriginal clan hands spears are permitted. grass meadows and rich marine groups. • Take care with fire, light fires life. only in fireplaces provided. These clans have continual spiritual Keep camp fires small. It protects rare species, including links with the land and sea. Their • Collect firewood before arriving the Dugong and six marine turtles ancestors from the Creation Era at your picnic or campsite. (Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, (Dreamtime) created the land and Firewood may be collected within the Park only - not within Olive Ridley, Leatherback and all it contains. The Park therefore . Collect fallen Flatback Turtles). Garig Gunak contains cultural landscapes which timber only. Barlu is also home to the worlds have been shaped and managed by • Avoid using soaps and detergent largest wild herd of Banteng. These cultural traditions and is translated in or near waterways. Indonesian cattle are an endangered as: Garig (a local language name), • Generator camping area species in their native habitat. Gunak (land), Barlu (deep water). provided. • Shells are recycled by marine The area has an interesting ancient wildlife - look, photograph, and contemporary history. identify - leave on the beach. Archaeologists generally • Check that your vehicle is not agree that Aboriginal people transporting pests like weeds have been living in the Dugong and Cane Toads. Dugong dugon Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Black Point Ranger Station Head Office - Level 1 JHV2 Ph: (08) 8979 0244 Jape Homemaker Village, 356 Bagot Road, Millner, NT, 0810 PO Box 496 Palmerston NT 0831 www.nt.gov.au/parks Ph: (08) 8999 4555 Access by Road - is via an unsealed corrugated with blind corners and as well as fuel to cover recreational road (4WD only) through Arnhem dangerous bends. Beware of oncoming activities within the Park. Please Land. The roads are only open in the traffic. Drive slowly, with extreme care, consider your vehicle fuel capacity dry season (May - October), depending especially between Murgenella and Black and consumption according to the Point. on the rains. Roads can be closed for following: ceremonial reasons with little notice. If By Air Charter - there is an airstrip at Darwin - Jabiru 250 km you are driving, there are several things Smith Point, 2 km from the campground Jabiru - East Alligator 40 km East Alligator - Murgenella (Wauk) turn off 40 km to remember: and 5 km from Black Point. There is no Murgenella turn off - Murgenella 95 km Murgenella - Black Point Ranger Station 135 km • Caravans, motor bikes and ATVs are public transport within the Park. Jabiru - Black Point Ranger Station 310 km not permitted. Off road vans/trailers are By Sea - the Park is two days sailing Darwin - Black Point Ranger Station (total) 560 km permitted but at your own risk. from Darwin (150 nautical miles). The What to Bring • There is no mechanical service in the Park. best time to visit is between August Come well equipped with food, water, and October when moderating east • Permits do not allow for stops between the first-aid kit, tool kit, spare tyres and to southeast winds prevail. Cyclones East Alligator River (Cahills Crossing) and vehicle parts, shade awning, fishing the Park boundary. can occur between November and gear, camera and binoculars. A boat is April. There are coral reefs and scenic • Alcohol may be carried but not consumed handy too. while travelling through Arnhem Land to anchorage for all types of boats. Do not Garig Gunak Barlu National Park anchor on coral reefs. Limited bore water is available. • Check tide charts before setting out. The Fuel - fuel may be purchased at Jabiru Bring as much water as you can tides at Cahills Crossing are about six during normal business hours. No fuel into the Park. hours later than Darwin tides. Some tides is available at Murgenella or in the Use silent pack generators (65 may prevent you crossing the river. Park. Visitors need to carry sufficient GENERATORS decibel at 7m). Turn off by 9 pm. • The roads are narrow, dusty and fuel for their return journey from Jabiru,

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 Mountnoris beyond this point 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 Gunbalanya Nabarlek Restricted area (Oenpelli) West 5 Pearling leases KAKADU NATIONAL PARK 43 Wildman River South Alligator Cahills 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 the Park - a public phone is located at Areas and are NOT ACCESSIBLE or to Walking tracks, photography, the Cultural Centre, but it only accepts be approached within 500 m. beachcombing, boating, fishing, Telstra phone cards. Victoria Settlement - bird watching, exploring Victoria Wetland Walk - this walk takes ruins of an early northern Settlement, self-drive vehicle tours, you around a small freshwater Australian settlement. Access by boat commercial tours (ex-Darwin) and wetland. Starts near the Ranger Station. or commercial tour. You are required to safari hunting with licensed operators. Distance: 1.5 km Time: 1.5 hrs. notify Rangers if you intend to visit. Black Point Cultural Scenic Views - beautiful Camping - is only permitted Centre - features a remote coastlines with within the designated camping display of the Aboriginal, Macassan sandy beaches, and clear blue seas. areas at Smith Point. Facilities include and European histories of the area. Check which beaches are accessible by showers, composting toilets, BBQs and The Ranger Station is located here. car or boat at the Ranger Station. Note: tables. No powered sites are available. Note: there is no mobile reception in Sandy Islands I and II are Conservation

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 Pearling area PREVAILING DRY SEASON Use of other tracks not permitted. SE WINDS No off-road driving is permitted. Fishing - a wide variety of fish Ensure your boat meets NT Marine Camping/Road Entry Fees - $232.10* species inhabit these coastal regulations and carries adequate spare per vehicle (Camping Fee $220 plus waters. Visitors are only permitted to parts and emergency equipment. Reefs Transit Fee $12.10*). This covers up to access, use and conduct activities within are often unmarked and uncharted, 5 adult passengers for up to 7 nights. the Cobourg Marine Park in accordance and easily covered by the tides. Open Extra adult passengers - $11.00*. A with the Cobourg Marine Park Plan of waters can be rough. daily rate of $31.00* applies per vehicle Management. All activities must also be in for persons who wish to extend their accordance with the Fisheries Act. Permits, Fees, Registration visit. Children under 16 years - free. You need a permit to stay in the Park No Swimming - Saltwater *All fees inclusive of GST. overnight on the Peninsula, whether you crocodiles cruise the beaches Air and Sea Entry Fees - camping arrive by road, air or sea. Book well in and sharks, box jellyfish, blue-ringed permits are required if staying on the advance especially during dry season octopus, stonefish and sea snakes also Peninsula overnight. Camping fees are school holiday periods. In quieter times, live in these waters. $16.50* per person per night. Camp in allow two days to process permits. designated camping areas only. If you Boating - check local conditions. Supply alternative dates if you can. It is are staying overnight on your vessel, Register details of your boating not possible to reserve campsites. trips at the Black Point Ranger Station please register at the Black Point Ranger Station on arrival. Skippers of before you set out. Launching and Permit Application: Contact the retrieval of boats is only permitted at the Permit and Concessions Unit large vessels, please notify Rangers of your location via VHF Channel 16. boat ramp at Black Point Ranger Station. PO Box 496, Darwin NT 0831 Beach launching is not permitted. Please Ph (08) 8999 4814 Fax (08) 8999 4524 note, the jetty is closed and unsafe for use. [email protected] Download the Avenza Maps App Garig Gunak Barlu National Park on your device whilst you are still in range to find the FREE local park map you need. Once downloaded, the maps can be used without a network

Sandy Island II connection. Your device’s built NGARDIMARDI WAWADI NO ACCESS Vashon Head Smith Point in GPS will plot your real-time Sandy Island I NO ACCESS location within the park onto the ALGARLARLGARI GUL GUL map. These GPS enabled maps Allaru Island Coral Black Point Port Bremmer will assist you to stay on track. Bay ARARU GUMURAGI Trepang 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 Boundary Island Warldagawaji Island

Mogogout Island Anchorage

VAN DIEMEN GULF Outstations

D/06/2021PWCNT Fact Sheet For more information see our website: www.nt.gov.au/parks or contact Tourism Top End (08) 8980 6000 or 1300 138 886 www.tourismtopend.com.au