Best Swimming Holes in the Northern Territory
Beat the Territory heat at pristine natural swimming holes. From thundering waterfalls to crystal-clear rock pools, the NT offers some of Australia's most beautiful freshwater swimming spots surrounded by ancient landscapes.
50 swimming holes spots
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💧 Swimming HolesBitter Springs
Natural lazy river — float through crystal-clear 34°C thermal water surrounded by palm forest. More peaceful and less crowded than nearby Mataranka. Bring a poo…
410km·Katherine
© Bidgee · CC BY 3.0
💧 Swimming HolesBuley Rockhole
Series of cascading rock pools perfect for cooling off. Less dramatic than Florence Falls but arguably more fun — natural spa pools and water slides. Short walk…
114km·Top End
© W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0
💧 Swimming HolesFlorence Falls
Twin-stream waterfall plunging into a deep, croc-free plunge pool surrounded by monsoon forest. 135 steps lead down to paradise. Litchfield's crown jewel.
115km·Top End
© Kendra Baker · CC BY-SA 4.0
💧 Swimming HolesMataranka Hot Springs
Crystal-clear 34°C thermal pools surrounded by towering palm forest in Elsey National Park. A surreal oasis in the outback. The springs flow at 30.5 million lit…
420km·Katherine
© Hugo Innes · CC BY-SA 4.0
💧 Swimming HolesEdith Falls (Leliyn)
Stunning natural pool at the base of a waterfall surrounded by pandanus palms. The upper pool is reached via a scenic 2.6km walk through savanna woodland — both…
292km·Katherine
© Ozjimbob · CC BY-SA 3.0
💧 Swimming HolesWangi Falls
Litchfield's most popular swimming hole. Wide plunge pool beneath twin falls surrounded by monsoon forest. Walking tracks, picnic areas, and a camping ground ne…
122km·Top End
© Leighblackall · CC BY-SA 3.0
💧 Swimming HolesBerry Springs Nature Park
Crystal-clear spring-fed pools shaded by monsoon forest. One of the few guaranteed croc-free swimming spots near Darwin. Three interconnected pools with varying…
57km·Top End
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Spencer Gorge
Spencer Gorge is a significant site in the Red Centre of the Northern Territory. The MacDonnell Ranges and surrounding desert harbour ancient geological formati…
1500km·Red Centre
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💧 Swimming HolesDarwin Swimming Pool (Parap)
Darwin Swimming Pool (Parap) is located in Darwin's tropical setting — think markets at sunset, waterfront dining, and the kind of multicultural energy that mak…
3km·Darwin
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Northern Rockhole (Jatbula)
Northern Rockhole (Jatbula) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the tran…
330km·Katherine
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💧 Swimming HolesNitmiluk Gorge 3 to 5
The more remote upper gorges of Nitmiluk — accessed by extended boat cruise, kayak, or walking over the rock bars between gorges. The upper gorges are narrower,…
271km·Katherine
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💧 Swimming HolesWagait Beach (Mandorah)
Beach community across the harbour from Darwin, accessible by the Mandorah ferry from Cullen Bay. Quiet beach, mangrove boardwalk, and a genuine escape from Dar…
3km·Darwin
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Fourth Gorge (Nitmiluk)
Fourth Gorge (Nitmiluk) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transiti…
330km·Katherine
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Fifth Gorge (Nitmiluk)
Fifth Gorge (Nitmiluk) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transitio…
330km·Katherine
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Gubara Pools Trailhead
Gubara Pools Trailhead is located within Kakadu National Park — Australia's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kakadu covers 20,000km² of w…
250km·Top End
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Biddlecombe Cascades (Jatbula)
Biddlecombe Cascades (Jatbula) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the t…
330km·Katherine
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💧 Swimming HolesUmbrawarra Gorge Nature Park
A little-known gorge 22km southwest of Pine Creek with shady rock pools for swimming, Aboriginal paintings, and ancient gold mine remnants from the 1870s. The w…
252km·Katherine
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💧 Swimming HolesTop of Edith Falls Lookout
Top of Edith Falls Lookout is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the trans…
330km·Katherine
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Kurumba Beach
Kurumba Beach is a natural swimming spot in the tropical capital of the Northern Territory, known for its multicultural food scene, stunning sunsets over the Ti…
8km·Darwin
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💧 Swimming HolesMataranka Pool Nature Park
The original Mataranka thermal pool — 34°C crystal clear water surrounded by towering Livistona palms. A magical swimming experience. This is the 'Never Never'…
420km·Gulf
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Third Gorge (Nitmiluk)
Third Gorge (Nitmiluk) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transitio…
330km·Katherine
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💧 Swimming HolesBig Horse Creek Swimming Hole
A peaceful swimming hole near Katherine, less visited than the gorge. Surrounded by paperbark trees and birdlife. Croc-monitored during dry season. Free. A loca…
310km·Katherine
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Graveside Gorge (Kakadu)
Graveside Gorge (Kakadu) is located within Kakadu National Park — Australia's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kakadu covers 20,000km² of…
250km·Top End
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💧 Swimming HolesTwin Falls
Two elegant waterfalls cascading over a sandstone escarpment into a sandy beach and swimming lagoon surrounded by lush rainforest vegetation. Reached via 4WD tr…
238km·Top End
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💧 Swimming HolesPalmerston Water Park
Free public water park with a 14-metre high six-lane racer slide, shallow wading pool, and wet play area for young children. Open year-round. The best free kids…
20km·Darwin
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Jabiru Lake
Jabiru Lake is located within Kakadu National Park — Australia's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kakadu covers 20,000km² of wetlands, sa…
250km·Top End
© DaHuzyBru · CC BY-SA 4.0
💧 Swimming HolesNightcliff Beach
Cool off at Nightcliff Beach in the Darwin region. The NT's swimming holes are nature's infinity pools — spring-fed, crystal clear, and surrounded by some of th…
9km·Darwin
© Ikiwaner · CC BY-SA 3.0
💧 Swimming HolesLake Alexander Beach
Lake Alexander Beach is a natural swimming spot in the tropical capital of the Northern Territory, known for its multicultural food scene, stunning sunsets over…
6km·Darwin
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💧 Swimming HolesAlice Springs Aquatic & Leisure Centre
Public swimming pool and leisure centre in Alice Springs. Olympic pool, toddler pool, water slides, and gym. Perfect for cooling down in the Red Centre heat. Ad…
1495km·Red Centre
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💧 Swimming HolesCasuarina Beach
Darwin's best beach — a stunning 9km stretch of golden sand backed by casuarina trees. Patrolled by surf lifesavers on weekends in dry season. Darwin Surf Life…
14km·Darwin
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💧 Swimming HolesŊalarrk (Lonely Beach)
Ŋalarrk (Lonely Beach) is a natural swimming spot in the lush tropical Top End, home to Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks, ancient wetlands, and some of Aust…
643km·Top End
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💧 Swimming HolesSeventeen Mile Falls
Remote waterfall and pool near Nitmiluk. Accessible via the Jatbula Trail or a separate day walk. Pristine and uncrowded.
259km·Top End
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💧 Swimming HolesHingston Beach
Cool off at Hingston Beach in the Darwin region. The NT's swimming holes are nature's infinity pools — spring-fed, crystal clear, and surrounded by some of the…
9km·Darwin
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💧 Swimming HolesSilversands
Silversands is a natural swimming spot in the tropical capital of the Northern Territory, known for its multicultural food scene, stunning sunsets over the Timo…
8km·Darwin
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💧 Swimming HolesMaguk (Barramundi Gorge)
One of Kakadu's hidden gems — a monsoon forest-fringed plunge pool with waterfall, accessed by 4WD then a 1km walk. Far fewer visitors than Jim Jim. The pool is…
201km·Top End
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Sandy Camp Pool (Jatbula)
Sandy Camp Pool (Jatbula) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transi…
330km·Katherine
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💧 Swimming HolesUpper Pool Edith Falls
Upper Pool Edith Falls is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transitio…
330km·Katherine
© Bidgee · CC BY-SA 3.0
💧 Swimming HolesEast Point Beach
East Point Beach is a natural swimming spot in the tropical capital of the Northern Territory, known for its multicultural food scene, stunning sunsets over the…
6km·Darwin
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💧 Swimming HolesTjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs
Natural thermal springs in a palm-fringed setting. 37°C water year-round. Camping available. Less touristy than Mataranka.
162km·Top End
© Cuddy Wifter · CC BY-SA 3.0
💧 Swimming HolesFannie Bay Beach
Sheltered beach in Darwin's inner suburbs, patrolled Monday to Wednesday 2-6pm during dry season (June-September). Close to the Museum & Art Gallery of NT. Good…
4km·Darwin
© Bidgee · CC BY 3.0
💧 Swimming HolesNightcliff Foreshore
Local Darwin favourite for sunset walks. Rock pools at low tide, cycling paths, and food vans. Less touristy than Mindil Beach.
8km·Darwin
© happinesswithin · CC BY 3.0
💧 Swimming HolesMindil Beach
Mindil Beach is a natural swimming spot in the tropical capital of the Northern Territory, known for its multicultural food scene, stunning sunsets over the Tim…
3km·Darwin
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💧 Swimming HolesDarwin Waterfront Wave Lagoon
A man-made wave pool at Darwin Waterfront generating waves up to 1.7m high. Safe swimming — no crocs, no stingers, lifeguards on duty. Adults $7, kids $5. Open…
1km·Darwin
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💧 Swimming HolesWaterfront Artificial Beach
Cool off at Waterfront Artificial Beach in the Darwin region. The NT's swimming holes are nature's infinity pools — spring-fed, crystal clear, and surrounded by…
1km·Darwin
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Bundilla Beach
Bundilla Beach is a natural swimming spot in the tropical capital of the Northern Territory, known for its multicultural food scene, stunning sunsets over the T…
4km·Darwin
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💧 Swimming HolesTop End Hot Springs
Cool off at these hot springs in the Top End region. The NT's swimming holes are nature's infinity pools — spring-fed, crystal clear, and surrounded by some of…
115km·Top End
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💧 Swimming HolesMotor Car Falls
A beautiful twin waterfall in southern Kakadu accessed via the Yurmikmik walking tracks. Less visited than the big-name falls, offering a more intimate experien…
200km·Top End
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First Gorge (Nitmiluk)
First Gorge (Nitmiluk) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transitio…
330km·Katherine
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💧 Swimming HolesButterfly Gorge Swimming Hole
Butterfly Gorge Swimming Hole is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the tr…
330km·Katherine
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💧 Swimming HolesTjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek)
Beautiful falls accessible by 4WD and short walk. Remote setting away from the crowds. Plunge pool perfect for swimming.
82km·Top End