Keep River National Park; the best in the NT?
There’s some spectacular country between Kununurra and Katherine, and last time we drove through we were on a schedule, and didn’t get to stop anywhere. This time around though, we booked two nights at Keep River National Park, and I’m so glad we stopped, as its up there with the best of the Northern Territory, by a long shot.
Victoria River is a beautiful part of the world that you drive through on your way here, but Keep River National Park easily competes (just you can’t see it off the highway!).
Where is Keep River National Park?
You’ll find this National Park literally about 5km away from the Northern Territory and Western Australian border, about 20km towards the coast. There’s only one sign telling you to turn into the park, and realistically, its a very hidden gem that virtually everyone drives past.
What’s there?
There are two campgrounds at Keep River National Park, both with walks that leave from the campgrounds themselves. There’s also a number of walks outside of the campgrounds, and a lagoon at the rangers hut that you can call into.
In short though, Keep River National Park has scenery that rivals the Bungle Bungles and Kununurra, and is insanely beautiful.
Where can you camp?
The two campgrounds are called Goorrandalng and Jarnem. The first one is about 18km from the main road, and the next one is another 16km or so. These are the only two camping areas.
Goorrandalng camp is known as Sunset camp, and Jarnem camp is known as sunrise camp, as that’s the best time to look around.
What does it cost?
Camping at Keep River National Park is actually reasonably priced, with our family only paying $25 a night instead of the usual $38, or more.
Amenities at Keep River National Park
You’ll find drop toilets here (that are pristine), and fire pits near each camp site. There are no other amenities, asides from views that will blow your mind.
Walks at Keep River
I mentioned above that there’s quite a few walks that you can do in Keep River National Park. We only did the Goorrandalng walk from the Goorrandalng campground, and after doing this, and hearing a ranger talk about it, I was so disappointed we couldn’t extend our stay and see the other walks.
We’d booked Lake Argyle, and had zero reception anyway, but the scenery on this walk is as diverse, stunning and incredible as you’ll see anywhere in the Territory.
Ranger talks
If you are planning a visit, try and do it for Tuesday night, so you’re at the Goorrandalng camp for Wednesday morning at 9:30AM. This is when the rangers do part of the walk, and do a talk about the history, culture and the region itself. We were incredibly fortunate to have a previous ranger come in the night before, who did the talk with a passion and care for the land that I haven’t seen in a long time, and I was very intrigued by the aboriginal information that was passed on.
He made it clear that this is his favourite National Park in the Northern Territory, and I can easily see why. It’s such a hidden gem that gets missed by most people.
Do we recommend a visit?
Yes, absolutely. This is different to Litchfield and Kakadu National Park, but in our mind is easily as good, in its own right. I mentioned above that I was annoyed we hadn’t booked a longer stay, as the scenery is really that good.
