Rules for pets in parks

To keep our parks as great places for people and native animals, pets are generally not permitted in Northern Territory (NT) parks and reserves.

However, there are several parks listed below where you can visit and exercise with your dog without permission or permits.

You may get an on-the-spot fine if you bring an animal into a park without permission or you don't obey the park regulations.

For more information, read the pets in NT parks and reserves information sheet PDF (1.3 MB).

Where to walk dogs

There are parks throughout the NT where you can visit with a dog. Some may only permit them in car parks to allow day visits for travellers.

Darwin region

You can walk your dog at these parks in the Darwin region:

• George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens - signs show leash areas. Find out more about the rules for dogs at the gardens.
• Casuarina Coastal Reserve - signs show leash and leash-free areas. Find out more about the rules for dogs at Casuarina Coastal Reserve.
• Charles Darwin National Park – sealed roads and carparks. Dogs are not allowed in the picnic area or on mountain bike trails.
• Holmes Jungle Nature Park – walking tracks and carparks.

Alice Springs region

You can visit with your dog at Owen Springs Reserve. Dogs are allowed south of the Waterhouse Range and may camp with you at Redbank Waterhole campground.

Visitors with dogs must enter and exit through the southern entrance to the reserve.

Assistance animals

You do not need a permit to bring an assistance animal into a park.

You will need to show the assistance animal’s identification if asked by a ranger.

The animal must be kept under control.

Hunting dogs

With a permit to hunt, dogs may be used in hunting reserves during the declared hunting season.

The permit to hunt includes permission to bring a firearm and a dog to a park.

You should keep dogs on a leash when you are not hunting.

The hunting reserves are:

• Harrison Dam
• Howard Springs Hunting Reserve
• Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve
• Lambells Lagoon.

Find out more about pig hunting in reserves.

Find out more about waterfowl hunting in reserves.

Other animals in parks

There are rules for taking horses, donkeys, mules, camels, or any other animals into NT parks and reserves.

For more information on rules and permits for pets in parks, contact Parks and Wildlife NT.