WikiCamps Australia

Cockatoo Lagoon

Point of Interest

Contact

Keep River National Park, Northern Territory.

Description

Cockatoo Lagoon is an easy 100m walk from the carpark at the Park Information Centre. The water level of Cockatoo Lagoon varies markedly with the changing seasons but rarely dries up completely. During the Dry season large numbers of water birds find refuge here. Seed eaters, such as the parrots and finches, depend on the water as they need to drink daily particularly in the early mornings and late afternoons. The Aboriginal custodians of Keep River National Park, the Mirriwung and Gadjerong people, call Cockatoo Lagoon and surrounds Worrilbum. Fish, birds, freshwater mussels and the water lillies in the lagoon provided food. The underground rhizome of the lillie as well as the stalks and seed heads, are eaten raw or cooked and the seeds may be ground into flour.