Mary River National Park Wildman 4WD Track
Come and enjoy the Wildman 1 Mary River is made up of continue east toward the Wildman 4WD (4 wheel drive) Track. As many channels that dry up into a Road. Looking to the right you you follow the track through series of disconnected billabongs. will notice the vegetation thinning Mary River National Park, this The river channel is immediately out to reveal an open stretch of information Sheet will describe visible on your left as you leave shallow billabongs surrounded some of the features you may the Rockhole Road. by paperbarks. Often these will be encounter along the way. 2 Bamboo and Banyan Figs are totally dry by the time the track is The 32 kilometre Wildman a familiar site on the Mary River open to vehicles. 4WD Track links the Rockhole wetlands. Keep an eye out for the 9 The track continues on and Wildman Roads, which run magnificent Banyan FigsFicus through the paperbarks and then parallel across this section of the virens, surrounded by stands turns north taking you through a Park. It enables you to explore of Native Bamboo Bambusa pandanus forest. They look like the beautiful wetlands, monsoon arnhemica. pandanus warriors, standing tall forests, majestic fig trees and 3 White-bellied Sea-eagle and straight with their thick grass stands of bamboo and pandanus, nests are visible perched high in skirts rustling in the breeze. These which are part of the character of the branches of paperbark trees ‘warriors’ remind visitors to take the Mary River catchment. giving the birds a commanding care with fire when travelling in The nearby Wildman River was view over the floodplain. the Park. The dry leaves of their named by John Davis in 1866 ‘skirts’ when burnt, create floating 4 Floodplain views - as you embers that can be carried on the after E.T. Wildman, the Secretary continue to travel north the to the South Australian Crown wind for kilometres spreading the floodplain is clearly visible fire. Lands Commission. A Park Fact to your left. Large flocks of Sheet provides a map of the entire waterbirds, particularly Magpie 10 Brian Creek crosses the Park. Geese, Brolga, and whistle ducks, track a little further north. It is the life source of a small patch Dry Season Only can be seen throughout the dry of monsoon forest which can be The Wildman Track is only open season. The numbers vary greatly accessed from Wildman Road. in the dry season (May - October) with the seasonal water levels. Cross with care. when conditions permit. During 5 Olga’s Waterhole is located the wet season, sections of the at the northern most point of this 11 The track ends at the track are flooded with more track. Sometimes left high and Wildman Road. Turn right to than a metre of water. Opening dry as the wet season floodwaters reach the Point Stuart Road. dates will vary from year to recede, it will generally continue year depending on the rains and to hold water throughout the year. Please Remember condition of the track. For more • Carry plenty of drinking water. information, contact the Wildman 6 As you turn your vehicle back to the east, the woodland • Protect yourself from biting Ranger Station (see below). insects at dusk and dawn, use begins to close in around the repellant containing DEET. The track is well defined, track. Paperbarks, figs, palms and • Keep to the designated track so signposted and marked with grasses provide good cover for that your vehicle does not transport blue arrows. Please stay on the animal life. Drive slowly and stay pests like weeds and cane toads. designated track. alert for crossing wildlife traffic. • Take your rubbish away with you. Access (see map overleaf) 7 Connellan Lagoon (19 km • All cultural items and wildlife are protected. There are two entrances to the north along the track) is prolific • Pets are not permitted. Wildman Track, the southern with wildlife and a lovely stop entrance from the Rockhole Road • Nets, traps and firearms are not for a picnic. Water lilies, water permitted. and the northern entrance from birds and crocodiles are easily • Light fires only in fireplaces the Wildman Road (see map). spotted from the banks. Approach provided and collect wood before Features along the track are banks with caution and observe you arrive at your picnic area. described as you travel from the crocodiles warnings. • Camp in designated campsites only. southern entrance. 8 As you move on from Connellan Lagoon you will
Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory Wildman Ranger Station Regional Office - Level 1 JHV 2 Ph: (08) 8978 8986 Jape Homemaker Village, Millner NT 0810 GPO Box 1448 DARWIN NT 0801 www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au Ph: (08) 8999 4555 Wildman 4WD Track
Safety and Comfort Saltwater Crocodiles inhabit 4WD Safety all these waters. • Do not enter the water • Ensure you have plenty of fuel and • No swimming water. • Do not leave food or fish scraps near • Always carry tools and spare tyres. boat ramps • Travel slowly and pull aside to pass • Wash away from watercourses oncoming vehicles. • Camp only in designated camping • Pull over in cleared areas if you areas and never close to the edge of are travelling slower than a vehicle billabongs or river banks behind you. • Do not attempt to get close to these • Drive in the existing wheel ruts to animals for photographic purposes avoid getting bogged or causing erosion. • Inform a reliable friend of your intended plans and route. Notify White-bellied Sea-eagle them of your safe return. Haliaeetus leucogaster Drinking water is not provided in the Park. Calculate your water needs at six litres per person per day. Carry substantial reserves of water in case of delays. Information shelters are located at the Park’s western boundary To S ady Cam on the Arnhem Highway, 200m along Bird Billabong Road and at Mistake Northern Billabong. Track ntrance Boat Ramps - Rockhole has l a s stake B lla on Water ole a sealed boat ramp, whilst W ldman Road those located at Hardies Lagoon Br an Creek onsoon and Corroboree are not sealed. The 4 Connellan orest towing of trailers to these sites is not a oon Sea-eagle nests recommended. Pandanus forest Picnic area - located Bamboo & throughout the Park. Banyan figs Barbeques - Mary River So thern Billabong and Couzens W ldman Track ntrance Ran er Lookout. Rock ole Rock ole Road Stat on Fishing opportunities are available throughout the Park. Be Crocwise. Camping - camp only at Cou ens ookout Cam n rea Couzens Camping Area, Shady Camp or commercial facilities in the area (see Fact Sheet). Toilets - Mary River Crossing, Couzens Lookout and Rockhole.
Sealed Road Park Boundary
Po nt Stuart Road 4WD Track 0 2 4 km Gravel Road Watercourse
D/06/2020PWCNT Information 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