Confluence of the Daly and Douglas Rivers, Crystal Falls: Douglas Daly
The Cascade: Douglas Daly
The confluence of the Daly and Douglas Rivers, Crystal Falls
Situated at the point where the Douglas River flows into the Daly River, this peninsula of the steep-banked riverine bush is managed by NT Parks and Wildlife. This area is available for bush camping fishing and exploring.
Access to this site was via the Douglas Daly Research Farm however from June 2020 this access has been closed.
Due to some undesirable actions by members of the public, the access to Crystal Falls and the Douglas/Daly Rivers through the Douglas Daly Research Farm is now permanently closed to members of the public. Parks and Wildlife have put in alternative access to the right of the main Douglas Daly Research Farm entrance. Please follow the signs and leave gates as you find them.
Camping at Crystal Falls is via permit only through Parks & Wildlife. Still to be confirmed as no information is available on NT Parks and Wildlife website.
“You should always be aware of the risk of a saltwater crocodile attack in all Top End waterways.”
The campsites and the roads into the sites are not maintained and can get very overgrown. If you don’t like your car being scratched, then avoid this area. It does however provide a spectacular view of the confluence of the Daly and Douglas Rivers. Land-bases fishing is possible however the banks can be very steep. I have also seen small river boats being launched from this area however the steep riverbanks make launching difficult. For those who are brave enough to tempt the saltwater crocodile population, a low waterfall and cascade in the Douglas River provides an area to cool down. This is saltwater crocodile territory so beware.
Getting There
Oolloo crossing is located midpoint between Katherine and Darwin and is about 200 km from both Darwin and Katherine. From Stuart Highway take Dorat road (route 23) and then turn onto Oolloo Road. Oolloo Road is initially a sealed road. Douglas Daly Holiday Park is located 34km down Oolloo Road after turning off Dorat Road.
From the Douglas Daly Holiday Park travel in a southerly direction on Oolloo Road for about 10km, before turning right onto Jungawa Road. This dirt road will lead to alternative access to the right of the main Douglas Daly Research Farm entrance.