Chief Minister Michael Gunner outlines which parks will be open this weekend as COVID-19 restrictions are eased

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner says Commonwealth operated parks Kakadu and Uluru are not included in the NT Government’s decision to reopen all Territory parks this weekend. READ the FULL LIST of which parks will be open here.

A group watch the sunset at Litchfield National Park. Picture: James Fisher/Tourism Australia

• NT parks will be open this weekend, says Chief Minister

CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner says Commonwealth operated parks Kakadu and Uluru are not included in the NT Government’s decision to reopen all Territory parks this weekend.

Mr Gunner revealed this morning that restrictions in some NT parks and reserves will be lifted from noon on Friday, May 1.

“You can start camping and swimming and some of your favourite spots again,“ he said.

“There will be parks, open inside areas that are currently designated under the biosecurity act, and that will only be viable for people inside those areas.”

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He said Territorians would not be able to cross biosecurity zone borders simply to visit a park.

Only locals within that area may enter parks that are open, within the biosecurity zone.

“Our decision to open parks does not apply to Commonwealth operated parks,” Mr Gunner said.

“That will be a decision for them, and traditional owners.”

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Here is the full list of which NT parks will be open:

Top End region

Adelaide River Foreshore Conservation Area

Berry Springs – picnic area only. No swimming*

Black Jungle / Lambells Lagoon Conservation Reserve

Blackmore River Conservation Reserve

Buffalo Creek Management Area

Casuarina Coastal Reserve

Charles Darwin National Park

Djukbinj National Park

Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve

George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens – Open for walks. Playground and Visitor and Event Centre open*. Eva’s cafe open for takeaway only.

Harrison Dam Conservation Reserve

Holmes Jungle Nature Park

Howard Springs Nature Park*

Knuckey Lagoons Conservation Reserve

Leaning Tree Lagoon Nature Park – picnic area only

Litchfield National Park

Buley Rockhole – swimming*

Florence Falls – swimming and camping*

Tolmer Falls

Upper Cascades – swimming*

Walker Creek*

Wangi Picnic Area and campsite – no swimming*

Termite Mounds

Table Top Swamp

Manton Dam – open to recreation and water based sporting activities*

Mary River National Park

Mary River Billabong

Bird Billabong

Cousenzs campground*

Home Billabong

Mistake Billabong

Jimmy’s Creek Walk

Shady Camp campground*

Oolloo Crossing Conservation Area

Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve

Territory Wildlife Park – for self-guided walks and picnic area*

Tree Point Conservation Area*

Window on the Wetlands visitor centre*

Katherine region

Open but no camping or swimming permitted

Judbarra / Gregory National Park

Joe Creek

Nawulbinbin walk

Escarpment walk

Gregory’s Tree

Tennant Creek and Barkly region

Open but no camping or swimming permitted

Attack Creek Historical Reserve

Barrow Creek Telegraph Station Historical Reserve

John Flynn Historical Reserve

Karlu Karlu / Devil’s Marbles Conservation Reserve – No camping

Tennant Creek Telegraph Station Historical Reserve

Central Australia region

Open but no camping or swimming permitted

Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve – All walks and cycle trails.

Arltunga Historical Reserve – only for those people living within this biosecurity zone

Central Mount Stuart Historical Reserve

Corroboree Rock Conservation Reserve

Heavitree Gap Police Station Historical Reserve

John Flynn’s Grave Historical Reserve

Native Gap Conservation Reserve

N’dhala Gorge Nature Park – only for those people living within this biosecurity zone

Ryan Well Historical Reserve

The Simpsons Gap area of Tjoritja National Park, including the Simpsons Gap cycle path

Trephina Gorge Nature Park – only for those people living within this biosecurity zone

Yeperenye / Emily and Jessie Gap Nature Park – only for those people living within this biosecurity zone

*Open from noon 1 May provided all safety, environmental and where appropriate crocodile checks are complete and given the all clear.