In terms of the big attractions of the NT, I’m guessing Limmen National Park doesn’t normally feature. It’s off the beaten track, quite remote and a place I hadn’t even heard of until looking more in depth at maps and places to visit besides Kakadu and Litchfield.

We took the road from Mataranka to Roper Bar and immediately the landscape changed, rocky escarpments popped up and then gave way to open grassy flats and dry creek beds snaking away in the distance.

The bitumen turned to gravel and corrugations shook us from head to tail until we arrived at the store and camp ground.

We took a quick trip down to check out the ‘famous’ crossing (top fishing spot in the NT) and walked out to the middle to view our surrounds. Water lapped over the edge and we cooled our heels (literally), while watching a few people cast a line (P.S. you need to be crocwise here). Over the crossing about 30km is Ngukurr - you can go here for fuel and a visit to the art gallery, but any other reasons and you’ll need a permit.

The next morning we entered Limmen National Park, and started the drive south.

Within the park there are multiple rocky river crossings, some had since dried up, while others had large pools and were flowing slowly over the rocks. There are a couple of large lagoons/billabongs worth pulling in to, covered in water lilies and you might even catch a buffalo wallowing!

Late afternoon we’d find camp, there are plenty of spots that are well marked along the main road. And as the evenings began to cool (read 20 degrees) we spent some time sitting around the campfire sipping hot chocolate and adorning sticks with marshmallows to toast over the coals.

Camping with kids (age’s 1 & 3) I’ve found is no easy feat, it isn’t relaxing and there’s not much down time - but it’s the little moments that make it all worth it. Collecting sticks to make a fire together, the kids learning to hammer tent pegs into the ground, washing the dishes and dinner prep that seems all the more exciting in the bush. It’s the excitement when you get all the beds ready, doona’s and pillows fluffed and the squeals of joy as they dive head first and play in the tent for a good…15 minutes uninterrupted. I’d go every time, just for that.

One of the highlight’s of our trip was the the 4wd track into the Western Lost City, you need a code obtained from the Ranger station to get through the gate and have to leave your trailer or caravan there also. It’s a slow, rough, rocky track with a few steep creek crossings and sandy/boggy patches. Once arrived at the site, you can drive alongside the large stone structures to a turn around point at the end. It was incredible!! We stopped here for lunch and found a shady spot within the stones, like an amphitheater, to rest up for a bit.

Below are a few shots for our travels, enjoy.

Em x