Howard Springs Reserve

Swim and Picnic at the Howard Springs Reserve. Only 35 km from Darwin this is a small freshwater spring with barramundi, turtles, wallabies and a pleasant bush walk.

This reserve is currently undergoing an extensive upgrade and is closed.
See more options for swimming here.

Hand feeding barramundi

An area of diverse habitats including monsoon forest, extensive swamps and riverine areas with lots of shady picnic areas and access to a beautiful spring-fed swimming pool, surrounded by a monsoon forest.
There is also a toddlers pool, toilets, a kiosk, picnic areas and barbeques which makes this spot very popular with families

There is a 1.8 km walking track below the weir. Signs along the track explain some of the different vegetation and animals you may see. Another short track off the main road will take you through dense rainforest to the springs which feed the main pool.

1.6 K Creek Walk

The weir for the main pool was built in 1944 by the Royal Australian Engineers to improve the swimming hole to provide a recreation area for Australian and US servicemen.

Early morning at Howard Springs Pool

The springs also provided water for Darwin for a few years before the Manton Dam was built to provide Darwin with a reliable water supply. Water from the Springs was piped to railway dams, overhead tanks in Darwin, and Vesty's meat works.

Howard Springs became the Northern Territory's first Reserve in 1957

The sight of these huge 1 metre plus barramundi swimming around with the turtles hoping for a handout would make any fisherman want to head off to the fishing grounds!

Barra and Turtles share the water.

Information boards describe the turtles, fish and other wildlife that are commonly found in the reserve. Cursor to read

Yellow faced Turtle

Ibis fighting over scraps.

Although the reserve is close to Darwin, at the time of writing there are no regular tours or public transport available. It is about 8k's from the Stuart Highway, too far to walk comfortably. The best option if you are visiting Darwin may be to hire a car for the day.