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
💧 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
💧 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
💧 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
💧 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
💧 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
💧 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
💧 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
Biddlecombe Cascades (Jatbula)Swimming Holes
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
Graveside Gorge (Kakadu)Swimming Holes
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
Second Gorge (Nitmiluk)Swimming Holes
Second Gorge (Nitmiluk)
Second Gorge (Nitmiluk) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transiti…
330km·Katherine
Seventeen Mile FallsSwimming Holes
Seventeen Mile Falls
Remote waterfall and pool near Nitmiluk. Accessible via the Jatbula Trail or a separate day walk. Pristine and uncrowded.
259km·Top End
Gubara Pools TrailheadSwimming Holes
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
Third Gorge (Nitmiluk)Swimming Holes
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
Fifth Gorge (Nitmiluk)Swimming Holes
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
💧 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
💧 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
Top End Hot SpringsSwimming Holes
Top 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
💧 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
💧 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
💧 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
💧 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
Jabiru LakeSwimming Holes
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
💧 Swimming HolesSandy 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
💧 Swimming HolesGunlom Falls
Kakadu's best-kept secret. The infinity pool at the top has arguably the best view in Australia — swim to the edge and look out over endless bushland.
201km·Top End
💧 Swimming HolesWaterfront Precinct Recreation Lagoon
Free safe swimming lagoon at Darwin Waterfront — no crocs, no stingers. Calm water perfect for kids. Open year-round. Adjacent to restaurants and Wave Lagoon.
1km·Darwin
Wangi Falls Dry Season Plunge PoolSwimming Holes
Wangi Falls Dry Season Plunge Pool
Wangi Falls is Litchfield's most popular swimming spot — a massive monsoon forest pool fed by a twin waterfall. Croc-monitored. Open dry season only (closes if…
109km·Top End
💧 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
💧 Swimming HolesMary Ann Dam Recreation Area
A dam 5km north of Tennant Creek popular for fishing, birdwatching, and picnics. Walking trail around the dam. The only significant body of water near Tennant C…
988km·Barkly
💧 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
💧 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
💧 Swimming HolesBare Sand Island
Uninhabited island off Darwin's coast — pristine beaches, turtle nesting site (Oct-Feb), and incredible snorkelling. Day trips by charter boat. One of Darwin's…
60km·Darwin
Waterfront Artificial BeachSwimming Holes
Waterfront 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
Bundilla BeachSwimming Holes
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
Mica BeachSwimming Holes
Mica Beach
Cool off at Mica 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 most…
8km·Darwin
Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot SpringsSwimming Holes
Tjuwaliyn (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
Darwin Waterfront Wave LagoonSwimming Holes
Darwin 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
Tailor Made FallsSwimming Holes
Tailor Made Falls
Litchfield's hidden waterfall. Requires a 4WD track and short bushwalk. Rewarded with a pristine pool and no crowds.
83km·Top End
Top of Edith Falls LookoutSwimming Holes
Top 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
💧 Swimming HolesKatherine Gorge (Nitmiluk)
The NT's third-largest town (10,000 people). Gateway to Nitmiluk Gorge, Edith Falls, and the Victoria Highway west. Essential stop between Darwin and Alice Spri…
312km·Katherine
Upper Pool Edith FallsSwimming Holes
Upper 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
First Gorge (Nitmiluk)Swimming Holes
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
Butterfly Gorge Swimming HoleSwimming Holes
Butterfly 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
💧 Swimming HolesSunset Beach
Cool off at Sunset 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 mo…
5km·Darwin
💧 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
💧 Swimming HolesTully Inlet
Tully Inlet — swimming spot in Katherine, 913km from Darwin. The Red Centre's waterholes offer cool relief from the desert heat. Carry plenty of water.
913km·Katherine
💧 Swimming HolesTully-Massacre Inlet
Tully-Massacre Inlet — swimming spot in Katherine, 922km from Darwin. The Red Centre's waterholes offer cool relief from the desert heat. Carry plenty of water.
922km·Katherine
Brodie's BeachSwimming Holes
Brodie's Beach
Brodie's 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…
16km·Darwin
Pee Wees BeachSwimming Holes
Pee Wees Beach
Cool off at Pee Wees 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…
6km·Darwin
💧 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
💧 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