Description of the attraction
Casuarina Coastal Park has protected about 1,500 hectares of coastal strip between the Rapid Creek and Buffalo Creek deltas near Darwin. The territory of the park includes 8 km of sandy beaches, steep cliffs and an array of shade-loving casuarina trees. Behind the dunes are the coastal vegetation communities typical of northern Australia - monsoon forests, mangroves and so-called paper trees.
The natives of the Larrakia tribe guard these sacred territories of great cultural and religious importance. For example, the Stone of the Elder "Dariba Nunggalinya", visible at low tide from the observation deck on the Dripstone cliff. Despite the fact that fishing is allowed here, it is forbidden to move this stone from its place or catch shellfish in this place. Also in the park is an artillery observation post from the Second World War, reminiscent of the hostilities in these territories.
Among the dunes, you can see red-tailed black cockatoos, sea hawks, eagles, cormorants and gulls soaring in search of prey. A huge variety of tropical marine life is found in water bodies at low tide. Sometimes saltwater crocodiles enter the park. During the rainy season - from October to May - jellyfish live in the waters, so swimming is prohibited.
Since the park is one of the favorite vacation spots of the residents of Darwin, all conditions for a comfortable one-day stay are created here. A cycle path begins from the Rapid Creek Bridge, which can also be used by pedestrians. Throughout the territory there are special picnic areas and shaded gazebos where you can hide from the scorching sun. An interesting feature of the park is the presence of specially marked places for nudists to the north of the Dripstone picnic area.
