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Daylight dances on the termite mounds like molten gold as I step onto the crimson earth of Litchfield Nationwide Park, amazed that I’m nonetheless standing on Planet Earth.
Positioned simply an hour and a half from Darwin, this nationwide park stands as a vivid distinction to some other panorama I’ve seen in my house of Australia.
Waterfalls cascade into inviting plunge swimming pools which might be secure to swim in, a rarity in Australia’s High Finish, and historic sandstone escarpments rise above magnetic termite towers, or present a canvas for historic Aboriginal rock artwork that has survived 1000’s of years.
For those who’re considering of visiting Litchfield Nationwide Park, however undecided what to do or what to anticipate, right here is all the things you might want to know earlier than you lose your self in one of many Northern Territories high outback locations.
A short historical past of Litchfield Nationwide Park
Lengthy earlier than vacationers found its crystal swimming pools made for swimming, Litchfield was house to the Wagiman, Marranunggu, and Wulna peoples, whose connection to the land stretches again tens of 1000’s of years.
The land was then found by European explorers within the nineteenth century, drawn by fertile floodplains and the promise of mining, however due to the rugged terrain, the world round Litchfield was stored at bay and used primarily as a spot to go for a dip within the contemporary water.
As a result of the water is contemporary, there’s no hazard of crocs, because it’s the saltwater crocs you might want to be cautious of. This can be a rarity within the High Finish of Australia, and is among the explanation why Litchfield is so common to go to.
Litchfield was formally declared a nationwide park in 1986. This nationwide park standing offers it safety, and now its hanging waterfalls, distinctive termite mounds, and craggy gorges may be admired for generations to return.
How lengthy do you might want to see Litchfield Nationwide Park?
Litchfield Nationwide Park is 1,458 sq. kilometres, which by Australian nationwide park requirements is sort of small. So, you solely actually need two days to expertise one of the best elements of Litchfield Nationwide Park.
We extremely advocate you camp in one of many campgrounds, so you possibly can get up early and spend a full day exploring the rockholes and plunge swimming pools. Some individuals go to on a day journey from Darwin, however in my view, I feel these persons are lacking out.
Issues to do in Litchfield Nationwide Park
Litchfield Nationwide Park is all about waterholes which might be secure to swim in, in addition to spectacular sunsets and hikes. Listed below are a few of our high issues to try this we did within the nationwide park.
1. Swim within the Buley Rockhole
Buley Rockhole was my favorite place in Litchfield Nationwide Park, and is a must-see for anybody visiting. It was the right place to go to with our children and we advocate getting there early to flee the tour buses and have the rock pool serenity to your self.
The Buley Rockholes are a sequence of rocks with holes which have water cascading by means of them. Stroll as much as the highest and take your decide of rock holes to take a seat in for some time. Spend a couple of hours transferring from one to the opposite. It’s sizzling sufficient to warrant it – even within the winter.
2. Swim in Florence Falls Plunge Pool
Florence Falls is a double-plunge waterfall resulting in a preferred swimming spot. There’s a steep staircase all the way down to the swimming pools passing by means of a beautiful viewing level, nevertheless it’s not too strenuous.
In any other case, you possibly can take the stroll all the way down to the falls from the automobile park through the Shady Creek observe. We didn’t get to do it, nevertheless it’s meant to be very fairly.
And you’ll stroll between Florence Falls and Buley Rockholes. The Litchfield waterfalls had been merely wonderful to see.
3. Have A Picnic At Wangi Falls
Wangi Falls might be Litchfield’s hottest attraction with the most important swimming gap, picnic space, and onsite cafe – our children loved an ice cream right here on a sizzling day, and it may be particularly busy round lunchtime in peak season.
For those who’ve bought younger children like me, getting into the waterhole is less complicated than at Florence Falls and it’s clear and shallow in shut. Simply remember that it will get deeper and darker the additional you swim out.
The Wangi Falls campground is a superb place to cease for an evening. There’s a BBQ space, and all of the amenities you want for a snug night time reminiscent of clear bogs and showers.
4. Hike to Walker Creek
If you’d like a swimming gap expertise that’s away from the crowds then take the 3km stroll alongside Walker Creek to shared swimming gap quantity six. It was small, however simply beautiful to have all to ourselves and so refreshing after such a sizzling stroll with two children.
Alongside the stroll, you’ll see numerous non-public campsites subsequent to the creek with their very own non-public swimming gap. Value contemplating pitching a tent for those who like bush tenting. Primary was my decide.
5. Take a look at the Magnetic Termite Mounds
These termite mounds are unimaginable. Constructed by 1000’s of termites of various species, with a north-south orientation to manage the temperature inside.
These magnetic bugs have designed their house to reduce publicity to the solar. Superb, proper? The mounds are greater than 100 years previous and rise up between two and 4 meters tall.
There’s a boardwalk that takes you near the mounds, the tallest and most spectacular being the four-metre-high Cathedral Termite Mounds. You’ll move these termite mounds first for those who enter the park from Darwin, we saved them for final on the best way out.
6. Watch the sundown from the Tolmer Falls Viewing Platform
Tolmer Falls is among the most well-known websites in Litchfield Nationwide Park. This big waterfall has two giant falls that fall right into a deep plunge pool you could swim in throughout the dry season.
It’s additionally probably the greatest locations to go to in Litchfield Nationwide Park for sundown. Positioned only a quick stroll from the falls are two viewing platforms that overlook the waterfalls.
There’s additionally a 1.6km loop stroll from the automobile park which takes you previous Tolmer Creek, a tributary, and different rock swimming pools (you could’t swim in, sadly).
7. Go 4-Wheel Driving at Blyth Homestead
There are lots of 4WD tracks in Litchfield Nationwide Park, however some of the common is the observe to Blyth Homestead.
Blyth Homestead is an previous mining city that has been deserted for the reason that Sixties. It was in-built 1928 when Litchfield was wealthy in tin. The world serves as a reminder of how difficult it’s to arrange a enterprise in such dry and arid circumstances.
You may study concerning the former tin mining business from the knowledge boards at this deserted website. The world is normally inaccessible within the moist, tropical season of November to April as a result of rain.
8. 4WD to Shock Creek Falls
One other four-wheel drive observe that you need to add to your Litchfield itinerary is the Shock Creek Falls observe. It’s a Grade 2 observe, so not too troublesome to drive up, nevertheless it’s positively well worth the bumpy terrain that meanders by means of monsoonal forests and opens up at a big swimming pool on the finish.
9. Study The Park’s Conventional House owners on the Batchelor Museum
Litchfield Nationwide Park has been house to the aboriginal individuals for 1000’s of years. You may study concerning the park’s conventional house owners, the Mak Mak Marranunggu, Koongurrukun, Werat, and Warray individuals on the Batchelor Museum simply exterior the Nationwide Park.
The museum additionally provides a glimpse into the park’s mining historical past, Darwin’s significance throughout WWII, and agriculture within the space.
10. Go to the Batchelor Butterfly Farm
Not really in Litchfield Nationwide Park, however close by, is the Batchelor Butterfly Farm. Step into the subtropical Butterfly Home and wander amongst vibrant Australian butterflies in flight, sipping nectar, and thriving of their man-made habitat.
Past butterflies, the encircling Pet Gardens are the right place to let the youngsters and large children run unfastened. Right here you possibly can stroke pleasant goats, geese, rabbits and different small animals, and there’s even an opportunity to satisfy the farm’s resident saltwater crocodile, Zeus.
11. Journey to Sandy Creek Falls
For those who’re after a slice of solitude, Sandy Creek Falls provides this reward in change for just a little grit and journey. Nestled deep inside the park’s rugged south area, this lengthy, shimmering plunge pool lies on the finish of a 3.4 km return stroll that threads by means of an open valley of paperbark and cycad palms.
You’ll want a 4WD to sort out the unsealed Reynolds River observe that results in the trailhead, which is why these cascades are sometimes unexplored, however for many who have the means will be capable of calm down within the extensive, clear pool on the base of falls with out anybody else round.
Is Litchfield Nationwide Park price visiting?
It’s straightforward to see why Litchfield attracts 260,000 guests annually; it boasts beautiful tropical waterfalls and swimming holes, magnificent rainforests, large magnetic termite mounds, an abundance of native wildlife, aboriginal historic websites, and lots of strolling and 4WD tracks.
There’s quite a bit to see and do, in addition to off-the-beaten-path adventures to have. It’s probably the greatest locations within the High Finish of Australia to go swimming, with waterfalls plunging off the sting of the escarpment into crystal-clear, secure swimming holes. And by secure, I imply salt-water crocodile free!
There usually are not many locations within the Northern Territory the place you possibly can safely swim with out concern of crocs, so for that reason, it’s 100% price visiting. When you’ve got at the very least every week and also you’re exploring the High Finish of the Northern Territory, then I extremely recommend a looped highway journey from Darwin taking in Katherine Gorge, Kakadu Nationwide Park, and Litchfield Nationwide Park.
Need to see different nationwide parks round Darwin? Then contemplate this five-day tour of Litchfield Nationwide Park and Kakadu Nationwide Park!
The place to remain in Litchfield Nationwide Park
The one lodging on supply inside the nationwide park is tenting, nevertheless, that doesn’t imply it’s important to tough it. Many campsites present well-maintained facilities, and hook up websites for individuals travelling with RVs.
If you wish to keep in a lodge, you possibly can keep close to the park however not really in it. Batchelor is the closest city to Litchfield Nationwide Park, and has a whole lot of lodging to select from and easy accessibility to the park.
You may browse extra lodging choices within the following interactive map:
Finest time to go to Litchfield Nationwide Park
The perfect time to go to Litchfield Nationwide Park is throughout the dry season, which runs from Might to October. That is when the climate is at its most nice and all roads are open.
Nonetheless, for those who do plan to go to throughout the moist season in November to April, you do get the good thing about seeing the waterfalls at their fullest and extra magnificent. The moist season can be the off-season so anticipate fewer crowds.
For those who plan to go to within the moist season, keep in mind lots of the 4WD tracks will probably be closed this time of 12 months. Through the moist season, swimming can be not all the time permitted.
Opening hours and entrance charge
Litchfield Nationwide Park is open all 12 months spherical and is free to enter. You solely must pay for campgrounds, and costs range relying on the place you camp.
Getting there
Litchfield Nationwide Park is a 1 hour 15 minute drive from Darwin, which is why you will discover many tour operators operating a day-trip to the park. For those who don’t wish to take a tour, we advocate you rent vehicles from Darwin and take the quick drive alongside the B30 to Litchfield.
Ideas for visiting Litchfield Nationwide Park
- If you’ll be able to, rent a 4×4 automobile. Whereas a lot of the park is accessible with a regular automobile, you possibly can have an adventurous off-road expertise to locations reminiscent of The Misplaced Metropolis and Tjaynera Falls which is extremely enjoyable and a novel expertise.
- Ensure you plan to go to on a weekday if doable. Litchfield is sufficiently small to take pleasure in in a day, or sufficiently big to discover over a weekend, however for those who can, contemplate visiting midweek to keep away from the weekend rush.
- No matter time of 12 months you go to, be sure to pack a towel and bug repellent!
Remaining ideas
Darwin locals are lucky to be inside comparatively straightforward attain of one in every of my favorite nationwide parks in Australia. In lower than 90-minutes drive, Litchfield provides excellent nature spots with magnificent landscapes.
We hope this information helped you intend your go to and gave you some inspiration for what to do there, and put your itinerary collectively.
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