Keep River National Park
Overview
Located 468 km west of Katherine along the Northern Territory/Western Australia border, Keep River National Park is noted for its striking landforms.
How to Get There
The Park entrance is 3 km east of the NT/WA border. Formed gravel roads suitable for 2WD vehicles lead to the main attractions. During the wet season roads may be closed due to flooding. All vehicles are restricted to formed roads only.
When to Visit
The most comfortable months to visit the Park are from May through to the end of August, when temperatures range from 35 degrees celcius max down to 10 degrees celcius min.
What to See and Do
Visitors to the Park are provided with excellent opportunities for bushwalking, photography and the chance to learn about geological events that have shaped this landscape.
Past evidence of volcanic activity, massive marine deposits and glaciation are visible in the rocks and landforms of this region.
Visitor Facilities
Two camping areas have been provided: Gurrandalng, located 18km from the Park entrance and Jarnem, located 31km from the Park entrance. Camping facilities include tables, barbecues and pit toilets. Drinking water is available at two sites within the Park. Generators are permitted in the park at the Gurrandalng campground only, but must be turned off by 8:30pm.
Please Remember
Bushwalkers planning long walks or camping overnight outside the formal camping areas MUST NOTIFY a Ranger before setting off. Special conditions for overnight hikers involves getting a permit which can take up to a week or more to process so you need to be pre-organised and contact the rangers for a copy of the permit and the other information you need to provide rangers with.
NO self guiding pamphlets are available for any of the walking tracks here. There is interpretive information at the walks and visitor centre.
You will need drinking water, appropriate footwear and a hat. It is also advisable to have the topographical 1:100,000 scale map of the area.
Generators are permitted in the park at the Gurrandalng campground only but must be turned off by 8:30pm.
Pets are NOT allowed in the Park.
Please collect firewood before arriving at your picnic or campsite.
Fact Sheet
- Download fact sheet (pdf 750Kb)
Recreational Activities
- 4 x 4 Driving
- Camping Permitted
- Caravan Permitted
- Picnic Tables
- Walking Tracks
From the camping areas, visitors can explore the rugged and dissected terrain of sandstone formations. Longer walking tracks are located at the campgrounds and other localities. Thousands of years of erosion by the Keep River has formed the shallow sandstone Keep River Gorge (Jinumum Walk). A short walk along the floor of the Gorge provides an opportunity to view an Aboriginal Art site.
Scenic and Cultural Features
The Park falls within the Aboriginal tribal area of the Mirriuwoong and Gadjerong Aboriginal People. The Jinumum walk and the Lang-gerrbi (Nigli Gap) walk provide the visitor with the chance to see some of the rock art characteristic of the area.
Plants and Animals
Short eared Rock-wallabies, white quilled rock-pigeons and sandstone shrike-thrushes are among some of the interesting animals that live in this area.
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Ranger Guided Activities
Parks Alive Program
Download 2009 Brochure (pdf 1.2Mb)
Campfire Talk
When: Wednesday evenings -
3rd June to 26th August
Time: 7.30 pm for 1 hour
Meet: Gurrandalng Campground
Secrets of Keep River National Park -
Bring your questions, a chair or rug, and a mug for billy tea.
