Butterfly Falls, Limmen National Park

Tuesday 4th

Had a great night’s sleep, and while we were having breakfast, a helicopter flew low and landed near our camp. We guessed that it was ferrying some tourists from Lorella Springs who were doing the walk around the Lost City. Great way to travel. Lorella Springs is closed to the public but only open to tour group operators.

About an hour’s drive and a couple of creek/river crossings and many corrugations and bull dust later, we arrived at Butterfly Falls, another Limmen NP campground that requires a booking. No internet. How can you do a booking? Years ago, when we camped at National Parks, we used to just arrive and complete a form and pay cash into an honesty box. Much easier way to do it. We have spoken to many people about this, who agree.

We camped in the ‘overflow’ camp site No. 3, and later spoke to a young couple who we met at King Ash Bay who were in ‘overflow’ camp site No. 1. They said that they booked online and were told that the campground was fully booked until mid-August. We counted 4 vacant campsites that night. How can you book online when you don’t have internet? We have heard this often, that sits are booked but people do not turn up, possibly due to change of plans/car trouble, etc, but because the site is booked, no-one can technically use it.

Butterfly Falls Campground. This is a pretty, cool little oasis with fresh water that you can swim in, and a constant trickle of water over the waterfall. It is surrounded by water lilies and has a gentle sandy bank. We paddled but did not swim as it felt too cold. Heard the squeals of kids later having fun and enjoying the swim in one of the only waterholes which is safe to swim in as it is crocodile free in the area.

Beautiful outback Northern Territory sunset over the surrounding hills.Read more