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How to get to Umbrawarra Gorge the turnoff is about 3 km south of Pine Creek and then 22 klm can on a very dusty and corrugated unsealed road.
Umbrawarra Gorge
The Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park, located about 115 kilometres from Katherine, protects a beautiful isolated gorge with steep red cliffs and a creek that meanders through the gorge in the early to mid dry season. A walking track winds alongside the creek to a large pool with a small sandy beach and the rest of the gorge can only be reached by wading, swimming and rock hopping. Permits must be obtained for rock climbing and abseiling. No water is available, so please bring your own supplies and camping fees apply. Please note that during the tropical season, especially after rain, the road may be closed.
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Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park
How to get to Butterfly Gorge approximately 130 km from Katherine and 200 km from Darwin along the old Stuart Highway scenic route and the turn off is near Hayes Creek.
Opening times: Daily, possible road closures after heavy rains.
Activities: Off Road Driving Camping Swimming Animal Viewing Self-Guided"
Facilities: BBQ Facilities Car park Picnic Area Public Toilet
How to get to Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park
The Park is located about 245 km from Darwin and about 115 km from Katherine. Drive along the Stuart Highway to about 3 km south of Pine Creek. Then turn south west onto an unsealed road. The next 22 km can become very dusty and corrugated. This section contains steep dips and creek crossings. Drive with care. It is best to visit in the dry season, (May to September) when the river level has dropped and the gorge is accessible. Roads - the Park can be reached by all vehicles in the dry season (May - September). Towing caravans along this road is not recommended due to the corrugations. During the wet season (October - April), especially after rain, the road is often closed. Consult maps and check road conditions on 1800 246 199 prior to your visit.
Umbrawarra supports significant colonies of the Short-eared Rock-wallaby and the Rock Ringtailed Possum. Keen bushwalkers will almost certainly catch a glimpse of some of these native marsupials
Visitor Facilities
The campground has a A small campground with a pit-toilet is only a short distance from the gorge entrance. A pit toilet (don't ask - a pit toilet or as we say long drop box is a deep hole with a toilet on top of it) picnic facilities barbecue facilities car park Camping fees apply and should be deposited in the honesty box provided.
There is no drinking water provided.
Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park activities
Rocky pools and small sandy beaches provide beautiful swimming spots, early to mid-dry season only. The creek stops flowing late in the dry season. An easy 1km walk leads into the Gorge, but if you want to go further along the creek you will have to swim and rock-hop. There are magnificent views from the cliff-tops. For rock climbing and abseiling, permits must be obtained from the Batchelor or Palmerston Parks and Wildlife Services offices before you arrive at Umbrawarra.
Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park blog: I did this back in the 1990's in a hilux and the road was alright for some of the way then there was a incline and it got corrogated and narrow so becareful. At the crest the view over the Umbrawarra Gorge was quiet well 'Outback'. So is Umbrawarra Gorge on the Jatbula Trail.
Umbrawarra Parks and Wildlife guide
Parks Forecast opening June - https://nt.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/butterfly-gorge-nature-park
Access (see map) Park entry fees - Parks Pass applies. (NT residents exempt). The Park is approximately 200 km from both Darwin and Katherine, and is close to Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs. From the Stuart Highway, take the Dorat Rd Scenic Route. The final 17 km into the Park is a 4WD track. Caravans cannot be taken into this Park.
Butterfly Gorge is one of the few Northern Territory (NT) parks you may be lucky to experience and explore on your own. It is a tranquil paradise tucked at the base of a low sandstone plateau. The gorge is home to large numbers of common crow butterflies. Walkers can traverse the park's rocky spinifex country along the access track into the gorge. Saltwater crocodiles may inhabit the pools in this park. Do not enter the water and stay away from the water's edge. The climb to the top pool is worth the effort. Butterfly Gorge protects part of the Douglas River and while camping is not allowed in the park, you can camp at the nearby Douglas River Esplanade Conservation Area. Caravans are not permitted in the park. This park requires visitors to the NT to have a parks pass.
This gorge is tucked away at the base of a low sandstone plateau. The sheer rock faces, edged by dense vegetation and rocky spinifex country, offer shaded riverine walks and beautiful scenery.
The Park is close to Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs Park, approximately 130 km from Katherine and 200 km from Darwin along the old Stuart Highway scenic route. The final 17 km into the Park is a four-wheel drive track. Caravans cannot be taken into this Park.
Cool crevices in the rock face of beautiful Butterfly Gorge provide shelter for thousands of Common Crow Butterflies. The rock pools provide a chance for a refreshing swim and are shaded by paperbarks up to 50 metres tall. This quiet gorge is tucked away at the base of a low sandstone plateau. The sheer rock faces, edged by dense riverine vegetation and rocky spinifex country, offer shaded riverine walks and stunning scenery. Past logging industries removed many of the melaleucas and the timber was used to build the Stokes Hill Wharf in Darwin. The park protects a part of the Douglas River that eventually flows into the Daly River, about 50 kilometres downstream. The gorge and main swimming area are a 10 minute walk from the car park and you can swim across the main pool and through the narrow gorges to reach the upper pools. More enthusiastic walkers may climb up the rocky slopes to reach the top of the gorge with views of the rock pools. Butterfly Gorge Nature Park is usually open from May to October each year.
Butterfly Gorge Nature Park - Swim across the main pool and through narrow gorges to reach the upper pools of the quiet gorge, surrounded by thousands of common crow butterflies.
Camping is not allowed at Butterfly Gorge, however you may camp nearby at Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs Park. There is no kiosk at the Gorge.
It is only possible to visit the Park during the dry season (May - September). Each year during the wet season, heavy rains close the park. Consult maps and check road conditions on 1 800 246 199 prior to your visit.
Butterfly Gorge recreational Activities
4 x 4 Driving The track to Butterfly Gorge is only accessible by 4wd vehicles.
Swimming A swim across the main pool and through the narrowest of
gorges will get you to the upper pools. A little climbing and swimming
leads to one of the most beautiful and peaceful gorges in the Northern
Territory.
Walking Tracks The gorge and main swimming area is a 10 minute walk
from the carpark. Continue on from the main pool via some rocky sections.
More enthusiastic walkers may climb up the rocky slopes to reach the
top of the gorge with views of rockpools. Please remember - Do not
walk alone - and beware of slippery rocks. Did
you know there is a Butterfly Gorge Walk in another location in Nitmiluk
National Park and folks get confused.
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