Northern Territory’s Lorella Springs Wilderness Park to close due to “red tape”

One of the Territory’s most isolated and unique tourist destinations has revealed it won’t re-open to most tourists. Read the reasons why.

Lorella Springs Wilderness Park is part of a one million acre cattle station located 180km along the road between Borroloola and Roper Bar, 29km north of the Savannah Way. Picture: Sean Scott/Tourism NT

One of the Territory’s most treasured destinations has closed its gates to drive-by tourists after almost 25 years.

Lorella Springs Wilderness Park in the Gulf of Carpentaria has revealed it would not re-open after the wet season, except to those in a pre-booked tour group.

The one-million-acre cattle station has been cared for by the Walker family since they arrived in the region in the mid-1980s.

Owner Rhett Walker said the property on the edge of Limmen National Park, about 990km southeast of Darwin, had “become a victim of her own success” as he blamed red tape for the closure.

Rhett Walker in his first week at Limmen National Park (formerly Nathan River Station) when he was 14 years old. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

“Almost 25 years – that is how long I have been doing tourism at Lorella for,” he said.

“What started as my family and I opening up our backyard to the public to share the many beautiful wonders of our private property, I believe has turned into one of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations and the longest surviving tourism venture in the Northern Territory.

“Fate would have it that Lorella would grow so popular that she became a victim of her own success.

“It is not just the bureaucracy or the feeling of being forgotten and less supported in our remote location.

“It is not just either the pressure from those who do not accept that I, too, have an attachment to this land and care for it.

“The red tape has become too much for us to keep things as they are.

“My dream has unravelled.”

Lorella Springs Wilderness Park is located 29km north of the Savannah Way. Picture: Sean Scott/Tourism NT

Mr Walker did reveal details on “more and more restrictions” being laid on the business, but said the situation was “mainly out of our control”.

He had previously estimated that the park attracted more than 10,000 visitors every year.

Acting Chief Minister Nicole Manison said the government was working with the business on a “raft of historic matters”.

“We’re trying to give them as much support as possible,” she said.

“I’ve met with them. I’ve certainly spoken to them myself, and tasked our agencies to sit down and work with them because it is an important tourism offering for people in that region.”

Lorella Springs Wilderness Park is set to close to drive-by tourists after almost 25 years of operation. Picture: Supplied/Facebook

Lorella Springs Wilderness Park encompasses about 400sq/km of land and is popular among bush walkers, bird watchers and campers.

Four Wheel Drive NT said the announcement marked a “sad day for tourism in the Top End”.

“Lorella Springs has been a bucket list destination for many thousands of visitors over the past few decades and would easily be one of the top five destinations in the Territory,” a spokesman said.

“There was over 1000kms of 4WD tracks on Lorella’s million acres. By comparison there is only approximately 1500kms of 4WD tracks throughout all of the Northern Territory government-run National Parks.

“The news of its closure to self-drive tourists was equal parts shocking and heart breaking.”

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