North Queensland
Beyond Darwin: Djukbinj National Park
Djukbinj (pronounced jook-binj) National Park is part of the Marrakai Plains, the park contains a portion of the catchment area and drainage for Adelaide River. Consequently the abundance of water year-round assures the park’s importance as a feeding and roosting site for a variety of waterbirds including magpie geese, egrets and brolgas.
The park is part of the Adelaide River catchment, which is one of several connected catchments that make up the Top End coastal wetland regions. It protects a major breeding ground for magpie geese, herons and egrets. The wetland has cultural and ecological values so is classified as having national importance. Bird watching and photography are popular activities during the Dry Season. You can also enjoy the unique cultural drive from Scotts Creek to Twin Billabong.
This area is a traditional hunting ground for Limilngan people, who also manage the park in partnership with Parks and Wildlife. The introduction of water buffalo to the wetlands in the late 1880s saw their populations soar. This land became part of Marrakai Station, a pastoral property, until 1970.
Djukbinj National Park has a scenic drive through a floodplain network of billabongs, from Scotts Creek through to Twin Billabong.
Location: 60 km east of Darwin along the Arnhem Highway.
Free admission. Phone: (08) 8988 8009
Leaning Tree Lagoon Nature Park is located at Marrakai, 90 kilometres east of Darwin, via the Arnhem Highway. This quiet, scenic lagoon has long been a favourite spot with locals for picnicking and birdwatching. Green Pigmy Geese inhabit this area in great numbers, along with many other species of unique native wildlife. There is a walking trail to facilitate viewing the wildlife. Be aware that the road in is often closed due to flooding in the Wet Season. Camping is permitted, however there are no facilities. Open daily, 24 hours
