2 0 TO U R IN G H O T S PO TS
WORDS & PICS BEN MURPHY
A D VE N T U R E S
Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, Qld
Get off the highway in Queensland’s rugged Gulf Country.
FASTFACTS
GETTING THERE
Lawn Hill is around 200km south-west
of Normanton.
ACTIVITIES
Kayak in the gorge, explore the multitude
of walking tracks, swim in the crystal-clear
green waters.
STAY
Adels Grove Campground or at the
camping area inside the national park.
MORE INFORMATION
www.adelsgrove.com.au
www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/
boodjamulla-lawn-hill
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ADVENTURES
L
eaving the coast and heading
inland can be a surreal experience,
especially in the Top End. Watching
the landscape start to parch as
it goes from lush shades of blues and
greens to that enticing earthy red is a
real eye-opener.
Gregory Downs is your last chance
for fuel for the trip out to Lawn Hill,
although fuel is available at Adels
Grove Camping Park, one of the
accommodation options in the area. The
road out slowly turns from a thin black
strip of tarmac through the savannah
grasslands, to a red bulldust-covered
track into the dry plains and red
sandstone ranges of Lawn Hill.
Inside Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) NP, the
lush vegetation and clear, green waters
of Lawn Hill Creek create the feeling
of an oasis. The traditional owners of
Boodjamulla – the Waanyi people – believe
that Boodjamulla the Rainbow Serpent
created the gorge and everything in it, as
told in the Dreamtime story. Boodjamulla
is said to show himself as the olive python
Bububurna – and sure enough, large olive
pythons are a common sight in the gorge.
On arrival, getting a kayak into the
creek is a good way to explore the gorge.
The striking, bright green water is
safe for swimming and the waters are
ripe with several species of fish – most
commonly archerfish and some rather
large catfish – although fishing is a nono in the park.
There are plenty of walking tracks to
explore, taking you to all the best scenic
vantage points overlooking the gorge.
The tracks range from easy walks that
the kids will love, to challenging tracks
that will give you a workout.
The national park has its own RVfriendly camping area with basic
amenities including toilets and cold
showers. Road conditions and weather
forecasts should be checked before trying
to take a van into the national park, as
conditions vary and many of the unsealed
roads are only suitable for 4WDs and
offroad vans. Road closures can happen.
Adels Grove is located 10km from
Lawn Hill Gorge and there are plenty of
unpowered campsites available at the
campground there. There’s a shop that
stocks basic supplies, a mechanical
workshop and fuel bowser with diesel
and unleaded fuel to keep you going,
limited Telstra internet service and a
public phone. It’s an incredibly remote
part of the country, but there’s enough
here to keep you sustained for an
extended stay if you choose to take your
time to explore the area.