A beautiful and tranquil sight, Mistake Billabong, in the Mary River National Park, is about an hour's drive from Darwin.
The location is renowned for the large floodplains that spread over the National Park, and therefore Mistake Billabong is home to an abundance of wildlife, including crocodiles and thousands of migratory birds. Walk along the boardwalk to the viewing platform at the water's edge or settle within the birdhide to unobtrusively observe the private lives of some of the Top End's most colourful birdlife. This is one of the few permanent water bodies accessible throughout the year. Visitors can expect to see different species of bird and plant life and perhaps animals such as wallabies and floodplain monitors, all of which rely on this precious water source until the first rains of 'the Wet' arrive (November/December).
The National Park has many opportunities and places for camping, picnicking, photography and walking, so base yourself and get exploring.