Howard Springs Nature Park
Were they looking for a place to spend the day in nature, relaxing, walking, exploring or enjoying an afternoon picnic or barbeque with the family? Howard Springs Nature Park is the perfect spot for you! There’s a range of outdoor playground areas and fun activities here for the kids to run wild on, as well as hiking trails, rock pools and a small freshwater spring to enjoy.
Stretching across 710 acres of protected natural bush area, the Howard Springs Nature Reserve has been a popular recreation spot for locals since World War II. It was initially built back in 1944 by the Royal Australian Engineers as a rest and recreation camp for Australian and US service members. It became the Northern Territory’s first official Reserve in 1957 and was also a primary source of Darwin’s drinking water supply years before Manton Dam was built.
How Can I Get To Howard Springs?
Only a short drive, approximately 35km South-East of Darwin, the Howard Springs Reserve is brimming with wildlife. It is an excellent place to enjoy birdwatching or spotting aquatic wildlife in the clear waters. You can travel here by car or join our one-day Berry Springs & Howard Springs Day Tour. Here you’ll find two types of turtles, wallabies, file snakes, and several other freshwater fish species, including 1 metre plus barramundi and Mertens’ Water Monitors camouflaged in the waterhole.
Can Your Siwm At Howard Springs Nature Reserve?
Unfortunately, the sizeable spring-fed waterhole is now off-limits for swimming due to the poor water quality and contamination from a local bat colony in the upstream catchment. For these reasons, it is highly recommended to swim only in the designated areas and pay attention to and observe all the park safety signs for any changes too. There is, however, a small artificial waterfall that cascades into a series of 8 x 29mm shallow rock pools and a wading pool which is an ideal spot to retreat from the heat and cool off after a hike or let the kids splash around in on a hot day.
What Can I See And Do At Howard Springs Nature Park?
There’s loads of fun and adventure to be had here for children of all ages, including toddlers. The adventure playground spreads out from the vast Leichhardt tree in the picnic area’s centre and includes two large flying foxes.
Below the main weir, a 1.8km walking trail leads you on an adventure through thick monsoonal vine forest, native woodlands, paperbark swamps and spring-fed creeks. There’s also a shorter track accessible from the main road, which takes you on a brief stroll through dense rainforest towards the springs, which feed into the main pool. Some of the walking trails at Howard Springs are wheelchair accessible, making it convenient for prams and strollers.
You’ll find several information boards located along the walkway where you will be able to learn more about the historical significance of the site during world war II, discover some new interesting facts about the natural habitat and also learn how to recognise and identify some of the unique vegetation and animals that are commonly found here in the Reserve.
When Can I Visit Howard Springs?
Howard Springs Darwin is open for visitors all year round. However, the park is only available for daytime use between 7:30 am and 7 pm, and camping and fishing are prohibited here. Some nice grassy picnic areas are in the shade, so pack a picnic lunch before you come or use the barbecue facilities here and cook up a feed for the family while enjoying the lush greenery and surrounding views.
