Palmerston is home to two stunning natural reserves - Mitchell Creek and the Palmerston Escarpment, alongside several freshwater man-made lakes.
Palmerston Escarpment
The Palmerston Escarpment is a striking ridge linear reserve spanning Gunn, Bakewell, and Rosebery. Known for its steep terrain, eucalypt bushland, and rocky formations, it offers a scenic 2.7km walking trail from Cunningham Crescent to Buscall Avenue and Lambrick Avenue.
View map of Palmerston Escarpment
Palmerston lakes
Palmerston is home to several lakes perfect for catch and release barramundi fishing, exercise, and picnics. These lakes are an important part of the local ecosystem, providing habitats for fish, birds, and reptiles while functioning as stormwater retention and water treatment basins.
Management and health: learn more in the Palmerston Lakes Management Plan and check the latest Quarterly Lakes Water Quality Report Card for updates on lake health.
Lake locations:
Mitchell Creek
Mitchell Creek is the primary water catchment system in the Palmerston area, situated east of the city centre. Flowing north of the Stuart Highway and extending east to Fellows Road, it eventually feeds into the Elizabeth River. It is Palmerston's only creek with a defined channel and is home to two notable plant species: Eucalyptus atrovirens and Typhonium praetermissum.
For more information about Mitchell Creek’s unique flora and fauna, view the information sheet.
How to help our lakes and wildlife
- Take your rubbish home: use our app/website to report illegal dumping.
- Reporting issues: report issues such as large numbers of dead fish, discoloured or smelly water, or overgrown plants.
- Managing garden waste: avoid discarding lawn clippings or garden waste in lakes, parks, or natural bush areas, as it creates environmental hazards. Archer Waste Management Facility takes green waste for no cost.
- Don’t dump your fish: releasing exotic fish and plants can seriously damage the aquatic environment.
Feeding Wildlife
Feeding wildlife can cause:
- Dependency: encouraging reliance on humans and disrupting natural foraging behaviour.
- Health risks: bread lacks nutrition and can cause dietary imbalances, sickness, and deformities.
- Water contamination: uneaten food can pollute lakes, lowering water quality and endangering both aquatic and terrestrial life.
- Choose healthy alternatives: lettuce, bird seed, peas, grapes and oats are healthier alternatives for local wildlife.
Weed Management
Mechanical weed harvesting of the lakes is carried out regularly, on an ‘as needs’ basis.
Salvinia is the main weed that is harvested from the lakes. Other aquatic vegetation and reeds are also harvested occasionally to maintain amenity and lake functions.
As part of our responsibilities as landholders under the Northern Territory Weeds Management Act 2001, We conduct annual weed control programs focused on the identification, monitoring and targeted treatment of declared weeds. These programs help reduce the spread of invasive species, support native biodiversity, and ensure compliance with legislative obligations.