Limmen National Park

Limmen National Park stretches over 10,000 km² between Katherine and the Gulf of Carpentaria, offering a real outback adventure for those traveling the remote Savannah Way. A major draw of Limmen is its Lost City formations – two main sites (the Southern and Western Lost Cities) where weathered sandstone towers and pinnacles rise dramatically from woodlands, resembling the ruins of an ancient city. A short walk at the Southern Lost City leads you through a maze of these towering red rock columns, which are especially stunning in morning or late-afternoon light. The park is bisected by the Limmen Bight River and numerous other waterways that support rich wetlands near the coast (some sections now part of Limmen Bight Marine Park). These wetlands and rivers are havens for waterbirds, saltwater crocodiles, and fish; the rivers are famed for barramundi fishing, drawing anglers to spots like Towns River, Limmen River and Cox River. Basic bush camping is available at several sites (e.g., Butterfly Springs, a lovely campsite near a spring-fed pool that is the park’s only crocodile-free natural swimming hole). There are no built visitor facilities beyond gravel roads and drop toilets at campgrounds – travelers must be self-sufficient with fuel, water and supplies. Historic sites like the ruins of the Ludwig Leichhardt base camp (from his 1845 expedition) and relics of pastoral and mining attempts can be found in the park. During the Wet Season, roads become impassable and the park closes. For dry-season adventurers, Limmen offers a blend of spectacular geology, untamed rivers, abundant wildlife, and the thrill of isolation – a place where you truly feel on the frontier of the Northern Territory.