This remote national park is Northern Australia’s first flora and fauna protection reserve. The Park includes the entire Cobourg Peninsula, the surrounding waters of the Arafura Sea and Van Diemen Gulf, and some of the neighbouring islands.

Croker Island, although close east of the peninsula, is not part of the park. Conserved within the Park area is a mosaic of sandy beaches, dunes and associated coastal grasslands, mangroves, rainforest patches, swamps, lagoons, coral reefs and sea grass meadows. These provide an ideal habitat for the many thousands of waterfowl and other bird species and rich marine life.

Included within the park are the ruins the early northern Australian settlement of Victoria at Port Essington. It was a tragic failure, surviving for only 11 years 1838 to 1849 when it was abandoned. Isolation and disease accounted for 60 deaths from a population high of 200. The ruins of Victoria Settlement's buildings with their distinct Cornish rounded chimneys stand as a monument to the hardships faced by the early colonists. The ruins are accessible only by boat.

Cobourg Coastal Camp

Venture North operates this exclusive safari-style camp on the red cliffs of the Cobourg Peninsula, overlooking the bay of Port Essington. This remote camp has most of the home comforts while still allowing guests to feel close to nature. Cobourg Coastal Camp, which is positioned on a cliff and has amazing views across Port Essington and amazing sunsets; the tents all face the sea.

There are launch trips to the Victoria Settlement site, 4WD treks and an Aboriginal cultural tour where a local guide shares stories of his land and people, and explains the meanings of the Injaluk rock art. Other activities include swimming in beautiful rock pools with waterfalls, hikes, fishing and catching giant mud crabs and mussels.