Keep River National Park

Keep River National Park, tucked away in the remote far northwest of the Northern Territory, is a rugged gem that offers a taste of the Kimberley without the crowds. Its striking sandstone escarpments, ancient rock art, and tranquil waterholes make it a captivating stop for travellers exploring the Victoria Highway between Katherine and Kununurra. This is a place where the red earth meets the blue sky, and the silence is broken only by birdsong and the rustle of spinifex.

Highlights & What to See

• Keep River Gorge Walk: A moderate 4 km return hike that leads you through pandanus-fringed creeks to a lookout over the gorge, with stunning views of the escarpment and the Keep River below.
• Jarnem Walk (Rock Art Site): A short, easy walk to a gallery of Aboriginal rock paintings, including depictions of wandjina spirits, reflecting the area’s deep cultural significance to the Miriwoong and Gadjerong people.
• Ginger’s Hill Lookout: Drive to the top for panoramic views of the park’s vast sandstone plateau and the distant Keep River floodplain—especially magical at sunset.
• Keep River Billabong: A peaceful waterhole perfect for a refreshing swim or a picnic, surrounded by paperbarks and home to freshwater crocodiles (always swim with caution).
• Escarpment Walk: A challenging 6 km loop that takes you along the base of the sandstone cliffs, through pockets of monsoon forest, and past seasonal waterfalls.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors find that a full day is sufficient to explore the park’s key walks and viewpoints. If you’re self-driving, consider arriving early in the morning to tackle the Escarpment Walk before the heat sets in, then enjoy a picnic lunch at the billabong and end with a sunset drive to Ginger’s Hill Lookout. For those wanting a deeper experience, an overnight camp at the park’s basic campground allows you to also explore the rock art and take a twilight walk along the gorge.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Timber Creek: A small town 50 km east, offering fuel, supplies, and the iconic Bullita Homestead and Gregory National Park.
• Gregory National Park: Australia’s second-largest national park, with rugged gorges, limestone caves, and the stunning Escarpment Walk near Bullita.
• Kununurra: The gateway to the Kimberley, 180 km west, with Lake Argyle, the Ord River, and the famous Argyle Diamond Mine.
• Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge): About 250 km east, famous for its dramatic gorge system, canoeing, and cruise tours.
• Bungle Bungle Range (Purnululu National Park): A World Heritage site in Western Australia, accessible via a 4WD road from the Victoria Highway, about 300 km southwest.

Please check official sources for current details.