Channel Point Coastal Reserve

Channel Point Coastal Reserve shallow seas and large tidal is a small intact sample of the ranges. From the Reserve anglers Safety and Comfort Territory’s isolated coastline, can access the waters of Anson • No swimming - crocodile and just waiting for you to explore. Bay, including the Daly River box jellyfish habitat. It protects 250 ha of coastal mouth. • Ensure your vehicle and boat are well maintained and equipped. habitats opposite the Peron Visitors without boats who like Islands, between the Daly River isolated coastal views, beach • Carry and drink plenty of water. mouth and Channel Point where walks, mangroves, monsoon • Carry sufficient food and fuel. there just happens to be some very forests and woodlands will also • Carry a first aid kit, vinegar and

Fact Sheet good fishing spots. Wadjigan and enjoy the Reserve. communication equipment. Kiuk people are the Aboriginal Where not to go • Wear suitable clothing and Traditional Owners for this area. Visitors must not enter Aboriginal footware, a shady hat, sunscreen Access Land Trust areas, including the and insect repellent. You need a Permit and access key Bulgul Community and Peron • Avoid strenuous activity in the to visit the Reserve whether you Islands without a Northern Land heat of the day. arrive by car or boat. See page 3 Council permit (penalty $1,000). • Observe all park signage. for Permit Information. Safety Issues The Reserve is about 240 km No Swimming - Estuarine Please Remember south west of Darwin. Travel to (Saltwater) Crocodiles and • Display your permit on the Litchfield National Park either via Box Jellyfish inhabit these waters. dashboard of your vehicle. the sealed roads from Batchelor, Launch and retrieve boats with • Camp in designated areas. or (dry season only) via the Cox caution. Carry vinegar in case of • Collect fallen firewood only. Peninsula Road and the unsealed Box Jellyfish stings. • Only light fires in communal fire part of the Litchfield National Biting Insects - Biting places. Keep fires small. Park Road. insects are part of the • Generators must be turned off Once in Litchfield, turn west off coastal web of life, especially between 10 pm and 6 am. the sealed Park Road just north when nearby wetlands are • Don’t litter on land or sea, take of , and travel 67 still wet. Wear protective long your rubbish away to recycle. km along the Marindja (Labelle/ loose clothing and apply insect Twin Hills) unsealed road to the repellent. Bring a large mossie- • Don’t bury fish waste, return it to deep waters or take it away. Reserve. See map back page. proof tent to retreat into if necessary. • All cultural items, animals and When to Visit plants are protected. The Reserve is usually open May Cliffs - Be aware of the • Observe fishing regulations. to October, or for a longer period cliff edge close to the if road conditions allow. campground. Use a torch when • Nets, traps and firearms are not walking at night. permitted (cast nets, crab pots What to See and Do and hand spears excepted). Visitors who will enjoy the • Pets are not permitted. Reserve most are self sufficient • Check that your vehicle is not anglers with a well equipped transporting weeds and pests 4x4 vehicle and boat, who are like Cane Toads. experienced with Top End coastal winds and waters, • Motor bikes and quad bikes are not permitted. • Keep to designated roads and tracks. • Do not enter Channel Point Community residential area. • Do not enter Aboriginal Land. Australian Pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus

Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Batchelor Office Regional Office - Goyder Centre Ph: (08) 8976 0282 25 Chung Wah Tce PALMERSTON NT PO Box 496 PALMERSTON NT 0831 www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au Ph: (08) 8999 4795 Visitor Facilities Camping - The designated Communal Fireplaces are Boating - there is a hard surface camping area is 500 metres away located in the picnic areas near boat ramp. Depending on the from the boat ramp on top of the beach the campgrounds. Only light fires in the size of your boat you will need a tide cliffs. The ten sites are unpowered and fireplaces provided. Use your own gas of greater than 3.5 metres to launch designed for cars pulling boat trailers. stove for cooking at your campsite. safely. Local tides are 20-30 minutes Unisex Composting earlier than Darwin tides, with a tidal Arrive well equipped Toilets and Showers - This is an isolated reserve, you’ll need range of 8 metres. Check tide charts are located within walking distance to bring: water, food, gas cooking (www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/tides) from the campground. stove, camping gear, tool kit, first aid and weather forecasts before you leave Bore Water is available at the supplies, footwear, clothing, insect home to ensure your safety. boat ramp, please use sparingly repellent and sunscreen. Make sure Information signage at the boat and turn tap off after use. your boat and marine equipment meet ramp carpark orientates you to legal safety requirements outlined at the Reserve and Anson Bay including Generators are permitted, but silent www.transport.nt.gov.au/safety/marine. depths at lowest tides. packs are preferred. Generators must be Fit your boat canopy for shade. turned off between 10 pm and 6 am. Consider taking a book or some cards for evening activities and binoculars and a camera to catch the beauty of the coast.

Emergency Contacts

The nearest Health Centre is at Batchelor (145 km), phone 8976 0011. Contact Emergency Services using either: • your mobile (variable reception) or marine communications system (VHF CH16) • or the Rangers via the Emergency Call Device (ECD) located in the boatramp carpark. Be prepared for There is no permanent ranger presence although mossies! rangers patrol the area regularly.

Tamarind Fish Ingredients Cayenne Pepper small pinch Tamarind Paste 1 tsp Coriander Seeds 1/2 tsp White Cumin Seeds 1/2 tsp Fresh Coriander 1 tbsp Garlic Clove 1 crushed Sea Salt to taste

Method 1. Blend the tamarind paste and fresh coriander with two tbsp hot water. Put to one side. 2. In a small, heavy frypan dry roast the coriander and cumin seed until aromatic then grind to a powder. Mix all the ingredients together to make the marinade. Tamarind trees have been part of Top End coastal life since the 3. Pour the marinade over the fish (salmon 1700s when Macassan fishermen planted them at their trepang works well) and leave at least 30 minutes. fishing camps. The trees marked their camps and provided 4. Grill for 5 minutes or until the flesh flakes. shade. They also provided fruits that flavoured their cooking Serve with lemon slices and salad. and added Vitamin C to their diet preventing scurvy. Reference: www.seasonedpioneers.co.uk Permit, Access Key and Gate

Why a Permit System? How Much does it Cost? How long can I stay? Access to the Reserve is restricted by Camping Fee per night: One to five nights. No day visits an agreement between the Northern • Adults $ 6.60 without a camping permit. Territory Government and Aboriginal • Child (5-15 years) $ 3.30 Traditional Owners of the area. A Which Gates to Lock? maximum of 10 vehicles or 50 people • Family Gates outside the Reserve: (which ever comes first) can visit the (2 adults, 4 children) $ 15.40 Leave them as you find them. Reserve at any one time. Key Deposit: Gate at entrance to Reserve: Visitor Permits regulate access to this (refundable) $250.00 Ensure it’s locked behind you. small, isolated, yet potentially very popular Coastal Reserve. They help to * GST Inclusive in all fees Times to arrive and leave? maintain the quality of your experience Move into a campsite after 12 noon and reduce visitor impacts. Permit How far ahead can I book? on your arrival date. Move out of holders travel through Aboriginal Land Three months ahead of the month you the campsite before 12 noon on your to reach the Reserve however must wish to visit, but you must return from departure date. Leave no trace of your not enter other Aboriginal land and/or one visit before you can book another, being in the Reserve. waters over Aboriginal land. to allow fair access.

How do I get a Visitor Permit and Access Key?

You can book in advance but only 3 months ahead of the month you wish to visit. You can only book one visit at a time. Visit www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/permits/channelpoint to download a Permit Application Form and further information.

NOTE: Dates cannot be reserved without payment of Camping Fees. 1 Check what dates are available by contacting the Permits Office (phone: 08 8999 4795 or email: [email protected]). 2 Complete the Visitor Permit Application Form and submit it to the Permits Office Palmerston with payment of Camping Fees (but not the Access Key deposit). 3 Permits Office staff will reserve your dates if available or contact you to discuss alternative dates. 4 If alternative dates don’t suit you, staff will return your payment or not process it. 5 If dates suit, Permits Office staff will process your Camping Fees payment and mail your booking confirmation. One working day ahead: 1 Collect an Access Key from Parks and Wildlife Commission offices at Palmerston or Katherine. Bring your Permit with you plus photo identification and $250 Access Key deposit. The Deposit can be paid by credit card (preferred) or in cash.

How do I get my $250 Key What will my permit How do I get a Permit deposit back? conditions be? Application? Return the key to either the Palmerston The Permit Conditions are detailed on Online through: or Katherine Parks and Wildlife the Visitor Permit Application Form. www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/permits Commission officeby close of business You must read and sign the Form or contact: (4 pm) on the key return date specified before you will be issued a Permit. The Permit Office, on your permit. Conditions are also included on the Parks and Wildlife Commission NT, Permit. PO Box 496, Ground Floor, Goyder Centre PALMERSTON, NT 0831 Tel: (08) 8999 4795 Fax: (08) 8999 4524 email: [email protected] Channel Point Coastal Reserve

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D/03/2015PWCNT 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