Whilst based in Darwin we planned a day trip to Litchfield National Park which is a scenic 90 minute drive south west of the city.
First Stop: Coffee at Batchelor
Our first stop was to the small town of Batchelor which is referred to as the gateway to Litchfield. On spotting the Lil’ Ripper Café, we parked outside and enjoyed our morning cups of coffee. Before leaving we enjoyed a chat with one of the locals who kindly took our photo in front of the cafe’s crocodile skin hanging outdoors.
Magnetic Termite Mounds
To enter Litchfield National Park it is necessary to purchase a Northern Territory Parks Pass, available on-line, which covers all National Parks apart from Kakadu and Uluru and costs AUD $10 per adult per day.
On arrival our first stop was to the Magnetic Termite Mounds including the famous Cathedral Termite Mound. The mounds are tall, narrow structures built by termites over many years, all facing the same direction. We found it fascinating to learn that the mounds are aligned north to south so the termites can control the temperature inside their nest. This position allows the narrow edge of the mound to face the intense midday sun, reducing heat, while the wider sides catch the gentler morning and afternoon sunlight. This helps keep the nest cool and protects the termites and their eggs.
The mounds are formed slowly as termites build them grain by grain using soil, clay, and saliva. Over decades, the termites constantly repair and add to the mound, creating strong structures giving the distant appearance of gravestones.
Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole
Next, we headed to Florence Falls, which is one of Litchfield’s most iconic locations. From the car park we began our hike down the 130 steep steps leading to the twin Florence Falls. The descent was worth the effort as the falls were beautiful to see with water flowing into the clear plunge pool below which was surrounded by lush monsoon forest.
After enjoying the view, we continued on the 1 km Shady Creek Trail which was much easier walking. The shaded path followed the creek and led us to Buley Rockhole, a series of interconnected rock pools and small cascades. From one of the rocks we watched people swimming and relaxing in the cool water below the falls making it an inviting spot to cool off in the humid conditions.
While swimming in Litchfield National Park is generally considered safe from crocodiles, it is important to remember that this is not the case in many other parts of the Northern Territory where crocodiles are common and swimming can be dangerous.
Tolmer Falls
Moving on, our next stop was to Tolmer Falls where we had the option of following a steep track down to the falls or a a shorter walk to the lookout point. As we’d already walked a considerable distance in the tropical, humid conditions we opted for the lookout point which offered us good views of the falls. From this viewpoint we could see the falls cascading into the pool far below, framed by rugged cliffs and lush forest.
Wangi Falls
Back in the car, our next stop was to Wangi Falls, where a short, easy walk from the car park led us to twin waterfalls that plunge into a crystal clear pool framed by rainforest and cliffs. On our return to the car we discovered the cafe was closed but thankfully we managed to find ice creams on offer at the Litchfield Safari Camp which we accessed via a short, dirt track.
Wildlife Spotting
One of the highlights of the day was spotting buffalo grazing near the roadside. We also saw numerous wallabies hopping through the bush as we drove along.
The Drive Back to Darwin
As we made our way back to Darwin, the weather changed dramatically. A monsoon rainstorm rolled in bringing heavy rain and poor visibility on the road. While it slowed down our journey, it reminded us that we were visiting the Top End in November which is the start of the wet season.
Overall
Litchfield National Park offers an incredible variety of landscapes, swimming spots, wildlife and geological wonders all within an easy day’s drive from Darwin. From peaceful waterfalls and shaded walking trails to wildlife encounters and a dramatic storm it was a memorable day spent exploring the Northern Territory.
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