Judbarra / Gregory National Park Park

Judbarra / Gregory National Park is a large protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia covering rugged sandstone country and river valleys. The park is notable for both its ecological diversity and its cultural heritage sites.

Visitors encounter sandstone escarpments, gorges and river systems, along with a range of native plants and animals typical of the Top End. The park also contains numerous Aboriginal cultural sites including rock art panels and occupation shelters.

The landscape has long been the traditional land of local Indigenous groups and contains extensive cultural features. The area was later designated and managed as a national park to protect its natural and cultural values.

Situated in the western Top End of the Northern Territory, the park spans remote interior country and is accessed via regional roads from nearby towns and outback routes.

• Cultural and geological features: Contains extensive sandstone escarpments, river valleys and known Indigenous rock art sites that attest to long Aboriginal occupation of the area.
• Access and travel: Access within the park commonly requires high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles and experience with remote outback travel for many of the park’s tracks and campgrounds.

The park lies in the Northern Territory and is accessed from the Stuart Highway and the Gregory Highway corridor. From Katherine or Borroloola it is a long drive on unsealed roads; a 4WD is recommended. Air charter services to nearby outstations and guided tours are common ways to reach the deeper parts of the park.

• If camping, book permits well in advance-sites in the park are remote and limited.
• Carry sufficient water and high-quality maps; cell coverage is patchy to non-existent in large parts of the park.
• Hire a local Indigenous guide when possible; cultural knowledge (rock art locations, seasonal movements) is not only illuminating but respects the land's custodianship.