Emerald Springs 

Emerald Springs is a roadhouse stop 112 kilometres north of Katherine. Situated amongst tropical vegetation it makes a lovely place to stop on your journey. It’s is easily accessible by conventional vehicle.

From Emerald Springs visit Douglas Hot Springs or Tjuwaliyn Nature Park. It is a pleasant wildlife watching park where swimming is wonderful in the cooler pools but not recommended in the water upstream which can heat up to 60 degrees Celsius.

It is accessible to two wheel drive vehicles from May to September and has a camping ground. Adjacent to Douglas Hot Springs is Butterfly Gorge, four wheel drive access only in the dry season. Large Paperbarks and Leichhardt trees conceal the entrance to the small Gorge, named for the swarms of butterflies which sometimes gather there.

If you fancy reeling in a Barramundi or Black Bream, Ooolloo Crossing is one of the Daly Rivers most popular fishing spots. There are private bush camping and caravan sites, without facilities, at Lukies Farm - 15 kilometres before Oolloo Crossing.

Although there are no longer any emeralds in the region, it is still possible to fossick for gold. The roadhouse provides fuel, accommodation and meals.

Things to do

• Explore the Butterfly Gorge Nature Park
• Swim in the thermal pools at Douglas Hot Springs
• Explore the beautiful isolated gorge at Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park