Keep River National Park

Keep River National Park sits at the top-western corner of the NT, bordering Western Australia and only 3 km from the WA’s Kimberley region. Though relatively small, it boasts extraordinary landscapes reminiscent of the famed Bungle Bungle Range just across the border. The park’s sandstone cliffs and beehive-shaped domes (layered in orange and black bands) rise above grassy plains dotted with boab trees, creating a visually stunning outback scene. Two main areas are accessed by a gravel road from the Victoria Highway: Nitmiluk (Jarnem) campground in the north and Gurrandalng campground further south. From these, excellent walking trails introduce visitors to Keep River’s highlights. The Jarnem Loop (7 km circuit) leads to a lookout over a valley of domes and visits an Aboriginal rock art site under a bluff – rock paintings of human figures and spirits adorn the walls of a small shelter, evidence of millennia of Jawoyn and Miriwoong presence. The shorter Gurrandalng walk (2 km) winds among large dome outcrops rising from spinifex plains:contentReference[oaicite:97]{index=97}. At sunset, these formations glow brilliant red. Wildlife includes euro kangaroos, geckos and a diversity of birdlife (keep an eye out for the short-eared rock-wallaby and purple-crowned fairy-wren). Basic pit toilets and fire pits are provided at campgrounds; no drinking water is available. In the Wet Season, access may be closed due to flooding. Keep River, often bypassed by travelers rushing to bigger parks, is a hidden gem – offering dramatic Kimberley-style scenery and cultural depth in a fraction of the area, easily explored in a day or two.