Overview

Litchfield is the most popular National Park in the Northern Territory. It offers year round croc free swimming amongst very attractive and easily accessible surrounds. A popular and recommended day trip from Darwin.

The 143,000-hectare National Park is characterised by a spring fed Plateau. Unlike Kakadu and other spots in the top end, waterfalls flow all year round at Litchfield, even late in the dry it when it hasn't rained in six months.

Things to See and Do

Bushwalking : Bushwalking is encouraged and walkers planning extended hikes should contact the Parks and Wildlife ranger in Batchelor for camping permits. Information on the rich flora and fauna also available via the Ranger. Rangers can also be called on 08 8976 0282

Litchfield Rd to Daly River Rd (4WD) : The 4WD track travelling North-South through the park has a number of creek crossings . This track is closed during the wet. If you are planning to travel this road through it is recommended that you check if a snorkel is required for the Reynolds River. The road accesses some idyllic camp grounds and attractive uncrowded waterfalls such as Tjaynera & Surprise Creek Falls. This road also has an amazing magnetic termite field that lasts for many kilometers and offers an eerie cemetery type landscape. Travel time is 3.5 hours one way not including stops.

Batchelor : A small town with over 500 people Batchelor was a defence base during WWII. An extension to the mid 30's airstrip occurred in 1941, which would be unremarkable except it has a railway line crossing through it. The extension was necessary to accommodate the large US B-17 flying fortress aircraft, which operated here following the bombing of Pearl Harbour. Batchelor has all the amenities including service station and Caravan Park.

Bamboo Creek Tin Mine & Walker Creek : Until the early 1950s, the park was site of several tin and copper mines and relics of this mining era can be seen at Bamboo Creek Tin Mine. The wide variety of remains which survive are in good condition. Allow: 1/2 an hour. From Walker Creek carpark you access a series of swimming holes that are usually uncrowded.

Blyth Homestead Ruins : Blyth Homestead is one of few existing examples of buildings that were formerly common on NT pastoral leases. The homesteads' construction is cypress pine held together by heavy gauge wire and covered with sheets of corrugated iron.

Established in 1929, This home was eventually sold by the second owners to the Territory Government to become part of Litchfield National Park in 1985. Standing before the home, you can appreciate the tough conditions faced by the pioneers in remote areas. It is amazing that this home was lived in until 1985.

A worthwhile detour if you are exploring the southern part of the park by 4WD.

Buley Rockhole : Buley Rockhole is a long series of cascading plunge pools and it rivals Wangi falls as the most popular spot in the Park. Can get crowded but the numbers are cleverly managed by the available parking. Signs advise "if the car park is full please come back later. A walking trail from Buley Rockhole follows Florence Creek to the top of the escarpment and on to Florence Falls. The walk is 3.2km return and will take 1 hr excluding a swim. An easier way on a hot day is to drive.

Florence Falls : Florence Falls is a spectacular waterfall with crystal clear pool at the base of the falls. There is a specially constructed lookout with wheelchair access offering excellent photo opportunities. A steep walking track leads down to the swimming via a specially constructed stairway. For those that don't want to walk to the base of the falls there are several small pools near the picnic area. As with all waterfalls in the Top End be careful during the wet season because strong undercurrents occur as large volumes of water flow.

Greenant Creek / Tjaetaba Falls : A 1.8km walking trail leads from the Greenant Creek picnic area to Tjaetaba Falls. Easy walk through rainforest to another attractive plunge pool. Typically uncrowded

Magnetic termite mounds : Reminiscent of a graveyard with 2m tall thin headstones these formations are in fact magnetic termite mounds. The mounds are orientated in a north- south direction so as to present the eastern and western faces of the mounds to the morning and afternoon sun. The architecture presents a thin edge to the midday sun, thus striving to keep the habitat at a termite-preferred 30°C. As the morning or afternoon sun heats a side of the mound the termites move to the other. You can feel the temperature difference. There is an informative bay and boardwalk, which has been constructed to control access to tourists and therefore protect the mounds.

Pethericks Rainforest Reserve : Pethericks Rainforest reserve is a small fee-hold forest reserve, which actually lies outside the park. There are waterfalls, monsoon rainforest and the wreckage of an old Spitfire. An entry fee is applicable but this is waived if you camp there.

The Lost City : The Lost City is a natural formation, whose walls, narrow passages and domes give the impression that they were man made. Accessible via a 8 km four-wheel-drive track that becomes difficult as you approach the formation. Beyond the lost City the road to Blyth Homestead is very difficult and should only be attempted by experienced people with high clearance vehicles.

Tjaynera Falls : Accessible by 4wd only. The falls and plunge pool is accessible by a 1.7-kilometre walk from the camping and parking area. The escarpment contains a number of cascades, waterfalls and small pockets of rainforest. The plunge pool would be as popular as Wangi if it was as accessible, but as a result it is relatively uncrowded. A good alternative to the very popular Wangi Falls.

Tolmer Falls : Tolmer Falls can be seen from a specially constructed lookout easily accessible from the main road. Set amongst imposing red cliffs, the falls feature caves with hundreds of bats. To help protect these colonies, access to the falls and gorge itself is closed. There is however a 1.5 km walking loop that includes some attractive rock pools at the top of the falls. You are not permitted to swim in the pools directly behind the falls but those further back up the creek are fine.

Wangi Falls : Wangi Falls is arguably the most popular site in the Park and at times can get very crowded. It features a large natural pool created by a tall waterfall, cascading over red cliffs. Trees and fresh lawns fringe the entry to the plunge pool and is a great spot for a picnic. Wangi also offers a picturesque walking trail which leads from one side of the pool to the other via the top of the falls. This walk has won national awards for its design concept and includes a boardwalk, carefully constructed steps, and platforms to give visitors the best views. Despite signs warning of the danger, a number of swimmers have recently perished at Wangi. High volumes of water over the falls cause an undercurrent which can pull swimmers under. The pool is closed in the Wet when these undertows develop.