Butterfly Gorge Nature Park

Butterfly Gorge Nature Park is a hidden gem located in the Douglas-Daly region, about 200 km south of Darwin. The park protects a pristine gorge where a tributary of the Daly River has carved out a series of rock pools and a shaded gorge amphitheater. In the late Dry Season, hundreds of Common Crow butterflies congregate on the gorge walls and vegetation, giving the park its name. Reaching the gorge requires a bit of effort: a 4WD-access track (seasonal, often closed in Wet Season) leads close to the site, then visitors must hike approximately 2 km over rocks and along the creek to the main swimming hole. The reward is a beautiful emerald-colored pool enclosed by towering rock walls and pandanus-fringed ledges – an idyllic, secluded swimming spot. There are no built facilities besides a small carpark at the track’s end; no toilets or picnic tables are provided, so visitors should come prepared with water and supplies. Butterfly Gorge offers camping at a basic bushcamp area near the carpark (no water available). The park’s remoteness means visitor numbers are low, so one can often enjoy the cool waters and butterfly spectacle in peace. Safety note: Jumping from the cliffs is prohibited, and during the Wet Season the gorge can flood and may harbor crocodiles, so swimming is only advised when the site is open (typically in the Dry Season) and as indicated safe by park rangers.