You can access the Gulf Region via the Savannah Way from Katherine or Burketown, the Tablelands Highway from the Barkly Homestead, or the Carpentaria Highway from the Hi-Way Inn on the Stuart Highway.
Connection to country
Barranyi (North Island) National Park
Located in the Sir Edward Pellew Group of islands, about 30 kilometres from the McArthur River, this is the traditional home of the Yanyuwa Aboriginal people. The park plays an important role in the preservation and protection of their culture and tradition. The beaches are nesting sites for turtles and many birds use the island as a resting point during migration. Accessed by boat only, contact NT Parks and Wildlife in Katherine before visiting (08) 8973 8888.
Fishing
Borroloola is a remote fishing community, almost as famous for its unique characters and history as it is for its fishing. Limmen River Fishing Camp and King Ash Bay are popular bases for fishing enthusiasts.
History
Borroloola was first gazetted as a township in 1885, at which time it was considered a lawless outpost where illegal activities such as smuggling and illicit alcohol running proliferated.
Heritage Trail
The Heritage Trail starts at the O’Shea and Johnson Graves on Robinson Road and leads visitors on an interesting journey into Borroloola’s past. Explore original homestead sites, visit graves of pioneers and stroll by the picturesque McArthur River.
Historic Graves
There are a number of historic graves in and around Borroloola - most of them of early pioneers and characters of the region. Discovering and reading the inscriptions on the graves makes for an interesting historical insight. The most unusual headstone is that of William Sayle, one of the first drovers in the Northern Territory. There are also graves in the bush around the town.
Old Police Station Museum
The Borroloola Museum houses an exhibition dedicated to the police presence in Borroloola in the late 1800s and a collection of artefacts, documents and photographs outlining Aboriginal history, the Macassan visits of the early 1900s and European exploration. Open seasonally May to September. Entry fees apply.
Adventure the way you want it
The Gulf Region is a popular area for fishing and exploring many attractions. This is adventure country.
Cape Crawford
Cape Crawford lies at the intersection of the Carpentaria and Tableland Highways – the gateway to the Gulf Country. Access the Abner Ranges Lost City formation by helicopter from here.
Lynotts Lookout
Named for Tom Lynott who first discovered traces of silver, lead and copper in the area in the mid 1880s, this lookout provides a panoramic view of Borroloola township. You will find it at the western end of Garawa Street, after the Police Station.
Caranbirini Conservation Reserve
Caranbirini is located 46 kilometres south of Borroloola on the western edge of the Bukulara Range, just off the Carpentaria Highway. It incorporates sandstone escarpments, a semipermanent waterhole with surrounding riverine vegetation and areas of open woodland. The waterhole is surrounded by 25-metre-high sandstone spires known as the ‘Lost City’. There are short walks that allow you to explore the area.
Limmen National Park
Located 182 kilometres northwest of Borroloola, this park is accessed from the Roper River Road or by travelling north from Cape Crawford and features several ‘Lost City’ formations.The main recreational activity is fishing on the Towns, Roper and Limmen Rivers. Remote camping is permitted in several places along the rivers, with pit toilets at Butterfly Springs, Limmen Crossing and Towns River.
Lorella Springs
Lorella Springs Wilderness Park is part of Lorella Springs Station, a virtually untouched one million acre cattle station located 180km west of Borroloola, off the Savannah Way. This huge, remote property offers a retreat of solitude and serenity with 25 kilometres of coastline, plus waterways, wetlands and swamps, rock formations and mountain ranges, chasms and gorges, and a variety of wildlife. Caravan, camping and air-conditioned cabins facilities are available.
Seven Emu Station
Don’t miss this great destination for the self-sufficient four-wheel drive traveller, providing access to the coast and AWC Wildlife Sanctuary. Let the Shadforth family show and teach you about nature, culture and heritage on a genuine outback cattle station or relax with a bit of Barramundi fishing on the Robinson River.
