The NT’s Casuarina Coastal Reserve Will Become a National Park

The Casuarina Coastal Reserve will become the Northern Territory’s newest national park, with community feedback now being asked for.

Casuarina Coastal Reserve is the Northern Territory’s most visited park, and home to one of Australia’s Top 10 Beaches of 2024 – Casuarina Beach. The reserve hosts more than one million visitors each year who enjoy the coastal habitats between the Rapid Creek and Buffalo Creek estuaries, and the NT Government is set to upgrade its status and protections to that of a national park.

Sunset at Casuarina Beach | Photo by Tourism NT/James Maddock

Minister for Parks and Rangers, Selena Uibo says, ‘The Territory Labor Government is dedicated to safeguarding our most precious coastal and rainforest environments’.

The reserve currently protects around 1500ha of coastal habitats, and there are plans to expand the area with an additional 34ha. This section is home to some of the Territory’s most iconic endangered species, including the Black-footed Tree rat and Croton Habrophyllus – the host plant for the endangered Atlas moth.

‘Casuarina Coastal Reserve is certainly one of those most special – and loved – places’, says Member for Casuarina, Lauren Moss.

The Casuarina Coastal Reserve is an area of recreation, nature appreciation, and conservation. There’s also potential for scientific research to be undertaken, so having a national park status means there’ll be safeguards against any future development of the area, keeping this area of natural beauty safe and accessible to everyone.

The reserve is home to some of the Top End’s mountain biking trails | Photo byTourism NT/Travis Deane

As a popular recreational area, it is currently a very popular spot for people to take their dogs both on and off leash, however in most instances, dogs and other domestic animals aren’t allowed inside national parks. It’s unclear yet whether the rules around this will change, however the public is welcome to give their feedback on this issue.

‘Our beloved urban public assets are important for improved health and wellness, recreation opportunities, mitigating the effects of climate change, and providing wildlife havens’, Lauren says.

The Department of Parks and Wildlife has invited the community to provide input about how the land can best be used.

‘I encourage everyone to get involved. I am proud that our Labor Government is committed to building a voice for Larrakia, as the traditional owners of Darwin, in partnership with the management of the new park’, Selena says.

A wet season tropical storm on Casuarina Beach | Photo by Tourism NT/Paul Thomsen (Wildfoto)

How can you have your say?

If you’re a Northern Territory local, you can have your say on the future management of Casuarina Coastal Reserve, including suggesting possible names for the newly expanded reserve.

‘This process will allow for the community to have a say on the many values of Casuarina Coastal Reserve, including biodiversity, recreation, nature appreciation, enjoyment, and valuable scientific research, and its management’, Selena says.

Public feedback is open until Monday, 22nd of April 2024.

Feature image thanks to Tourism NT/Travis Deane