East Point Reserve
East Point Reserve
4.5
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Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
314 reviews
Excellent
176
Very good
122
Average
14
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Brian R
Adelaide, Australia247 contributions
May 2022 • Friends
A large open space with walking trails and paths. This is a wonderful area to go for a stroll and just take in the atmosphere. Surround by water there was a nice breeze and just a fantastic spot to sit and do nothing
Written 15 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ronp1954
Langford, Australia791 contributions
Aug 2022
What to say, it is a reserve after all. We went there for afternoon tea (bring your own) ab=nd found it quite nice and relaxing. A bit dry but what else would you expect in Darwin temperatures. Managed to see some of the wildlife, but our dog was disappointed as she was not allowed to have a run here.
Written 28 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan B
Launceston, Australia31 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
East Point Reserve is a rather large area, so any one review is unlikely to cover all it's points.
It includes Lake Alexander, a shallow man-made shallow saltwater lake that has both a swimming area, and an area set asside for canoes, windsurfers and the like, as well as an excellent picnic ground.
It includes Dudley Point - a handful of picnic tables right next to a carpark, with quite nice views of the city across the bay. Also includes some WWII era ruins and information placard. More suited for those without that much time.
There's PeeWee's - a restaurant by the ocean, surrounded by the trees of the reserve. I've never eaten there, but it has a good reputation. Apparently one of the more classy - and pricy restaurants in Darwin.
For the walkers among you, there's a boardwalk through the monsoon forest. I havn't done this walk in years, but I think it's suitable for bikes as well.
There is the East Point Military Museum, which has it's own entry on TripAdvisor. It can be a bit pricy, but is well worth it. Just don't go on a hot day, as most of the exhibits are outdoors.
There are also the ruins of military installations next to the military museum, which are free to walk around. The massive concrete gun emplacement for one of the 9" naval guns is able to be entered, a handful of ammunition huts, and the concrete emplacements for where a number of smaller coastal defense guns used to be mounted.
For those willing to look for it, there is also an old concrete observation post built half into the cliff. This is best viewed from the beach, as unfortunately, the cliff has eroded over the years, leaving the concrete structure dangerously overhanging the cliff. What's left of the observation post will likely tumble down to the beach some time in the next few years. I think it's a huge shame there was no effort to prevent this, especially since I think it's the only example of an observation post in Darwin remaining.
It includes Lake Alexander, a shallow man-made shallow saltwater lake that has both a swimming area, and an area set asside for canoes, windsurfers and the like, as well as an excellent picnic ground.
It includes Dudley Point - a handful of picnic tables right next to a carpark, with quite nice views of the city across the bay. Also includes some WWII era ruins and information placard. More suited for those without that much time.
There's PeeWee's - a restaurant by the ocean, surrounded by the trees of the reserve. I've never eaten there, but it has a good reputation. Apparently one of the more classy - and pricy restaurants in Darwin.
For the walkers among you, there's a boardwalk through the monsoon forest. I havn't done this walk in years, but I think it's suitable for bikes as well.
There is the East Point Military Museum, which has it's own entry on TripAdvisor. It can be a bit pricy, but is well worth it. Just don't go on a hot day, as most of the exhibits are outdoors.
There are also the ruins of military installations next to the military museum, which are free to walk around. The massive concrete gun emplacement for one of the 9" naval guns is able to be entered, a handful of ammunition huts, and the concrete emplacements for where a number of smaller coastal defense guns used to be mounted.
For those willing to look for it, there is also an old concrete observation post built half into the cliff. This is best viewed from the beach, as unfortunately, the cliff has eroded over the years, leaving the concrete structure dangerously overhanging the cliff. What's left of the observation post will likely tumble down to the beach some time in the next few years. I think it's a huge shame there was no effort to prevent this, especially since I think it's the only example of an observation post in Darwin remaining.
Written 28 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
diamond_wilson
Sydney, Australia59 contributions
Mar 2016
We took a drive out to East Point after visiting the Military Museum and I went crazy with photos! The rock formations of the cliff are to die for (if your into that sort of thing lol) and the water is typically tropical green blue and you can see the beautiful colour of the rocks through the waters edge. You can also see the city scape from here and endless horizon! We didn't explore too much but looks as though its a great spot for exercising as there is a big park land with walking / bike riding tracks. Potential picnic spot!
Written 5 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl52Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia163 contributions
Feb 2020
Lovely spot to sit and enjoy the view over the harbour, even if the weather was not perfect. Lots of seating and good place to take the children to throw around a ball or play games.
Written 21 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carin Murphy
Sunshine Coast, Australia150 contributions
June 2019 • Couples
It was lovely to see Darwin from afar. The water was the most amazing colour. A lovely place to relax. We went back to watch the sunset...just gorgeous
Written 18 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_glynndav9
Milton Keynes, UK37 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
While visiting family in the Darwin area I always look forward to our early morning cycle rides around East Point Reserve. No matter how many times you ride here there is always something different to see albeit the wildlife the changing tides or just a reminder of the history of the place. It is a fair size and best seen on foot or like me on a lazy bike ride.
Written 11 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joy M
Perth, Australia89 contributions
Jan 2018
Going to East point is a must for every tourist. My husband and I goes there regular as we are locals. The walk, drive or ride down East Point Road is a memorable one. With stylish houses on the right and stunning seascapes on the left. You can go there for a day or an hour. It is popular for its safe year-round saltwater swimming at Lake Alexander, military history, and the uninterrupted views of Darwin and Fannie Bay and sunsets from Dudley Point. It is has an extensive network of walking and cycling paths, landscaped picnic areas with free barbecue facilities and playgrounds for the kids.
East Point Reserve is home to abundant wildlife, and we love to go for a stroll to look for wallabies, bandicoots, brushtail possums and numerous species of reptiles, butterflies and birds. Take the 30-minute loop walk from the car park near the lake through monsoonal vine forest into the mangroves. Follow the boardwalk into the tidal region - look out for many species of fish, crustaceans and molluscs.
East Point Reserve includes several popular beaches, including Darwin's most popular family beach at Fannie Bay. They say Lake Alexander draws its seawater from the bay, for safe and 'stinger-free' swimming throughout the year. As for me and my husband, we are happy to give it a miss!
East Point Reserve is home to abundant wildlife, and we love to go for a stroll to look for wallabies, bandicoots, brushtail possums and numerous species of reptiles, butterflies and birds. Take the 30-minute loop walk from the car park near the lake through monsoonal vine forest into the mangroves. Follow the boardwalk into the tidal region - look out for many species of fish, crustaceans and molluscs.
East Point Reserve includes several popular beaches, including Darwin's most popular family beach at Fannie Bay. They say Lake Alexander draws its seawater from the bay, for safe and 'stinger-free' swimming throughout the year. As for me and my husband, we are happy to give it a miss!
Written 27 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
newtravellors
Southport, Australia45 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
grandaughter said we would the sightseeing more fun than jumping crocadiles as my caree was on a mobility scooter i tended to agree, she also took us to the view of darwin from the park with the bunkers in it
Written 11 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelToyer
Woodside35 contributions
June 2018 • Couples
The walk from East Point down to Mindil Beach is really lovely with lots of signposts along the way pointing out interesting parts of culture or history such as the anchoring points for the nets which helped to identify submarine locations during the war. Lots of shade and lovely sea breezes to keep cool. There were bubblers along the way but we had our own bottled water
Written 13 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How much is entry and is it easy to get to by taxi or bus
Written 24 February 2018
The East Head reserve is free access. With lots of army buildings or relics of them. It is a long walk from anywhere. I dont know if there is a bus. We found buses a bit hit and miss and never went where we wanted. Taxis were also the luck of the draw. If you find a reliable one make sure you book it to the airport.
Written 26 February 2018
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