Local Attractions

Butterfly Gorge Nature Park – 30 mins, 4x4 only

A sprawling nature park that shelters thousands of common crow butterflies in the rock face of beautiful Butterfly Gorge. You can safely swim in the natural rock pools and there’s a few shaded bushwalks to try. 4x4 required.

Butterfly Gorge plateau – 30 mins, 4x4 only

A bush track known only to locals leads from Emerald Springs to the base of the Butterfly Gorge. Grab a picnic hamper and a map from the office and see what no one on a tourist bus will ever see. This trip is for experienced four-wheel drivers and there’s a bit of a hike, but the payoff is well worth it.

Tjuwaliyn (Douglas Hot Springs) – 30 mins

The Douglas Hot Springs is a natural thermal pool that attracts a wide variety of birdlife and mammals, like bandicoots, quolls and flying foxes. You can swim in some places.

‘The Arches’ and ‘the Waterhole’ – 30 mins

'The Arches’, near the Douglas Daly Tourist Park, is an amazing natural archway formation that you can swim through and into the Waterhole, where you’ll find a sandy beach. A beautiful spot for a swim.

Northern Goldfields Loop

Emerald Springs sits on this heritage trail, which connects Pine Creek with Adelaide River. The drive is dotted with historic mining sites and ruins and has a backdrop of shady creeks, salmon gums and rocky outcrops. At the heart of the trail is Grove Hill, a heritage museum on the old railway line from Larrimah to Darwin.