We think that Seven Emu station in the NT offers the best bush camping in the whole of Australia. Best we’ve seen, anyway. Their website claims they offer “the ultimate self-drive wilderness adventure on a genuine Australian outback cattle station” and we think that’s about right.
At Seven Emus Station, you can camp in remote isolation, on a scenic bluff overlooking the majestic Robinson river, and watch Saltwater Crocodiles, the mighty apex predators of this region, basking on the banks down below, just as they have for millennia past. Here you can look down on White-bellied Sea Eagles as they glide past over the crystal-clear waters below. Whistling Kites come and perch right there beside you, while pairs of Red-tailed Black cockatoos flap noisily overhead, screeching their own poetry to the skies. As the sun sets over the river, glimmering schools of fish, both predator and prey, signal the arrival of the night with flashes of silver.
Seven Emus station is pretty remote, and the unsealed roads to get there are pretty, er, rugged, particularly if you’re traveling from the west. You’ll need a decent 4WD to get there and be self-sufficient when camping – although fuel and water are available at the station (always best to check with them first, though); and some of the sites do have basic amenities.
There are also sites available right down at the coast, down 30km of dirt track, with some patches of bull-dust that will test your 4WD skills. These sites also allow access to a boat ramp and the mighty Robinson river, flowing into the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Frank Shadforth, the owner of Seven Emus, conducts ‘personal cultural heritage/bush tucker’ tours around the area, which we’d highly recommend. Frank has some amazing stories to share, including how his father came to own the property; he is also keen to share his insights on the ecology of the region, and the threats this ecosystem currently faces.
Booking for all camping and for Frank’s tour is essential. Numbers of campers are strictly limited. Full booking and contact details on the Seven Emus website.
