Perentie. Photo: dilettantiquity (Flickr) / CC BY-SA 2.0
Perentie. Photo: dilettantiquity (Flickr) / CC BY-SA 2.0

Park closure

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park will be temporarily closed on Friday 28 August 2026 from 6 - 11 am (ACST) for the funeral of a senior Aṉangu woman. Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park will re-open at 11 am on Friday 28 August.

More information: Temporary park closure Friday 28 August 2026

The perentie is Australia’s largest goanna (monitor lizard), growing to over 2.5 metres long and weighing in at up to 20 kg.

Perenties have long claws that mean they can easily climb trees. They often stand on their strong back legs and tail to get a better view of the surrounding landscape.

They have a carnivorous diet, preying on insects, other lizards, birds, rabbits and even small kangaroos.

Perentie make good bush tucker, but they aren’t always easy to find. They generally try to avoid people and can run away extremely fast when detected.

Scientific name

Varanus giganteus

Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara name

ngiṉtaka