Holmes Jungle Nature Park protects one of the few remaining areas of monsoon forest in the Darwin area. Located on the fringe of the city's northern suburbs, the park is popular with picnickers and walkers at any time of the year. The park covers 250 hectares, with Palm Creek winding its way through the centre. Marvel at the panoramic views of the wetlands to the north, monsoon forest to the east and undulating ridges and savannah woodlands to the south from the main picnic area. Keep an eye out for Spangled Drongoes and the Torres Strait Imperial-pigeons in the wet season. The tiny Red-backed Fairy-wren is commonly found in clumps of pandanus throughout the Park. Take the Jungle Walk along Palm Creek through the monsoon forest, and then a further section of track to the main picnic area, which provides easy access to Palm Creek. Cyclists and horseriders are welcome, on a separate shared track. Holmes Jungle Nature Park has been popular for picnics since first non-Aboriginal settlement of Darwin over 100 years ago. Large numbers of birds, mammals and reptiles breed and seek refuge in the monsoon forest, with the dense vegetation offering protection from the heat and predators.
