Visit Litchfield National Park, Darwin

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Tip posted on both Darwin and Batchelor ‘things to do’

Our reason for staying in Batchelor was the nearby Litchfield National Park. Our brief look at the Top End included Kakadu, Katherine for the gorge and return to Darwin. It was easier staying one night in Batchelor rather than back tracking when staying in Darwin.

The entrance to the park is about 120 km from Darwin and 18 km from Batchelor.and along very well maintained roads.

The first of many attractions is the magnetic termite mounds that look like a vast collection of unloved and overgrown tomb stones as seen in wild west movies – except these are living monuments and built by white ants (termites) that have a fearsome reputation for destroying almost any timber structures – hungry little &^%$#@’s

The Litchfield fact sheet states, ‘the magnetic termite mounds are in a north-south orientation, which acts as a built-in temperature control mechanism allowing only the least possible surface area to be exposed to the heat of the sun.’ Common sense would indicate that is wrong as N-S orientation gives the greatest sun exposure to in turn the E and W sides of the mound; however I am not an entomologist and just using logic.

The Cathedral Termite Mounds (photo’s 1, 2 and 5) are far more spectacular and can be as high as 5 metres (photo 2 I’m standing in front of the same mound as per photo 1 and I am about 1.8 metres tall as a comparison)

We did see the Cathedral Termite mounds in many parts of NT and from The Ghan train as it headed south, however Litchfield was the only place we saw the Magnetic mounds – unless we inadvertently mistook what looked ‘like a vast collection of unloved and overgrown tomb stones as seen in wild west movies.’

Nature at its best, unless you happen to own a timber home - LOL

Considerably more information on the NT Govt web site as below

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Tip posted on both Darwin and Batchelor ‘things to do’

The only other part of Litchfield that we explored was the Buley Rockholes and Florence Falls area and combined that with a walk through aptly named Shady Creek walk.

The rock holes were a spectacular collection of bathing areas completely safe from crocs, however not from the human morons who insisted on climbing a tree and in spite of the warning signs leaping into the pool. I was hoping that a pet croc or two might be interested in a quick snack, but then again the morons may not have been to the liking of crocs.

The Florence Falls are even more spectacular than the rock holes with a number of cascades tumbling over sheer drops to the deep and inviting pool below – and yes many were taking advantage of a cooling swim free from the normal danger of hungry crocs.

There are 137 steps that lead from the car park down to the well maintained path to the pool – and then there is a real clamber to find spots to wade in amongst the stones and boulders. I attempted a fully clothed balancing act to get a clear photo shot of the pool and I am far from being a circus performer, so what is shown is as best as I was able to manage (there were peels of laughter from the ‘younger ones’ as I showed off my complete lack of skills when it comes to slippery rock hopping).

Lady Gaw is well known for being a wimp when it comes to death defying climbs up perfectly safe but see through type metal stairs. She managed to convince me that the Shady Creek walk was a better way of returning to the car park. I’m glad she did as it was a great little walk of about 1 km through a shady walkway that crossed many times a brook that led to the river. Sadly nature called her while we were surrounded by nature (why can’t girls just ‘go’ behind a tree?) and so we had to return quicker than I’d hoped.

Sadly, and after our all too brief experience with Litchfield, it was time to hit the road for the 1.5 hour trip to Darwin and civilization and we missed out on many of the features in the park. Another regret was the rental car company took a dim view to their rental vehicles being used on dirt roads, so we had to partly retrace our journey through Batchelor rather than via the Cox Peninsula Road and 30 km unsealed road.

Considerably more information on the NT Govt web site as below

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Located just over 100 kilometers south of Darwin and an easy days drive there and back with good blacktop roads all the way..a visit to this wonderful National Park is a great day out..over1500 square kilometers in area the parks main attractions are the many beautiful waterfalls, Make sure that you have time to visit the wonderful "Florence falls" This being one of many waterfalls in the park.The falls are quite a hike from the carpark area but information maps show you the way..This is a wonderful swimming area at the base of the falls and really quite beautiful in its location.I found it to be so cooling after the heat of the walk. There are also many wonderful swimming holes(most free of crocodiles)to be found in the park , The huge ant hills are a sight to behold some standing over four meters high there is just so much great all round scenery to be enjoyed...alive with birdlife and native animals make sure that your camera batteries are charged as this is a photographers dream. Also make sure that you bring your swimming togs and a towel as there are just so many great swimming spots..There are great campgrounds here and hiking tracks
Make sure that you have PLENTY of water with you at all times...
ALWAYS: take notice of signs near swimming areas as crocodiles get into some areas in the wet season
Be aware of your surrounding so as not to hurt yourself as some parts of this park are very isolated.
Carry your mobile phone and be aware of emergency numbers
Always use public toilets when in service areas. Better than being bitten on the bum by a snake!!!

The Litchfield National Park is a must see if you're visiting the Northern Territory. Its still pretty pristine and there are limited facilities whilst camping but the scenery makes it worthwhile.

Don't forget to see and swim at Florence Falls and Blueys Rockhole. The Lost City is a real surprise and make me ponder how nature can provide so many diverse scenes for us to experience.

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As part of the tour I organised one day was a visit to Litchfield National Park. Along the way we did a detour to the Jumping Crocodile Cruise. We had a choice of going to this (and spending some extra money for entry) or going to the wetlands close by. As I have seen crocodiles up close and personal before (Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing) I chose not to take the cruise. I have to say that the wetlands was not so wet in fact a bit disapointing not much to see at all. Litchfield National Park involved some walking from the carpark and then gingerly wading into the waterholes which generally are pretty rocky such as Florence Falls. Wangi Falls was fairly crowded when we were there..lots of campers and picnickers.

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A little more than 100 kilometers from Darwin, Litchfield National Park is a smaller, more easily accessible mimic of Kakadu National Park. Litchfield lacks Kakadu’s Aboriginal culture and wildlife, and its gorges are nothing next to Jim Jim and Twin Falls. But a day here hiking around the waterfalls and swimming in the various waterholes is most enjoyable, particularly if you have been roughing it in the Outback for several days beforehand. In a day it is possible to see most Litchfield’s highlights, including its termite mounds, Buley Rock Hole, and Wangi, Tolmer, and Florence Falls.