Berry Springs is a small settlement, an outer suburb of Darwin in a semi rural area 55kms south of the city. The Berry Springs Nature Reserve is a favourite scenic park and there are several other attractions, shops and accommodation facilities in the area. A few businesses and a school are located along the Cox Peninsula Road.
The Berry Springs Nature Reserve contains several shady pools along the Berry Creek with steps for easy access to the relaxing crystal clear tepid water. Small fish can be seen.
Visitors can swim, go bushwalking, or enjoy a picnic under the trees with tables and BBQs provided. A walking track loop meanders through two of the Top End's Natural wildlife habitats. It starts from the picnic area - so take binoculars as birds are numerous.
The Visitor Centre there is open from 8- 4.30. Displays show animal life within the park and creek. and there's a kiosk.
The pools may be temporarily closed in the wet season (October - April) when conditions may be unsafe.
Southport
The nearby small settlement of Southport by the Blackmore River is a quiet residential community. There’s a boatramp into the river that was once a bustling port with numerous ships unloading materials for the overland telegraph line and later for the Pine Creek Goldfields. In the 1880s, the railway bypassed the port and brought about its demise.
Early Days – the war years
During WWII, Berry Springs was part of a Rest and Recreation Camp set up by the armed forces for the 100,000 personnel based in the area. A number of huts and a weir were built. You can still see their remains.
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