Litchfield National Park is the nearest national park to Darwin (Northern Territory, Australia). Although not as prominent as its neighboring cousin, Kakadu National Park, locals actually prefer Litchfield over it. Litchfield National Park’s key draw is its gorgeous waterfalls, pristine rock pools and unique termite mounds. Based upon our Jun-2018 trip, we’ve written this Litchfield National Park Travel Blog to share its must-see attractions and useful travel tips. So, go ahead and share this with your travel kakis!
See also:
- Things to do in Darwin (Northern Territory, Australia)
- Kakadu National Park Travel Blog (Northern Territory, Australia)
- Nitmiluk National Park Travel Blog (Northern Territory, Australia)
Tip: Need helping planning your itinerary? See our blog “10-Days Itinerary for Darwin and Northern Territory“
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Litchfield National Park Travel Blog
Litchfield National Park is a relatively short drive (115km) south of Darwin. Thus, many locals visit it as a day trip. However, if time allows, we do recommend allocating 2-3 days to explore the park in more details.
Other than admiring the natural landscape and unusual termite mounds, the most popular activity at Litchfield is swimming at its various rock pools and waterholes. With the pools at Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole highly rated. On the cultural perspective, Litchfield has been home to the Aboriginal people for thousands of years.
A popular park, Litchfield typically draws up to a quarter of a million visitors annually. Thus, it can get rather crowded during peak seasons. And as with most other parks in this part of Australia, the best time to visit is during the dry season (May-September).
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Batchelor Town
Most, if not all, visitors will access Litchfield National Park via Stuart Highway (route #1). Batchelor Town is located 12km along Batchelor Road (route #30), from the turnoff on Stuart Highway.
Batchelor is the nearest town to Litchfield National Park. A small township of around 500 residents, facilities and accommodation at Batchelor are limited.
From Batchelor, it is another 35km drive along route #30 to Magnetic Termite Mounds. The first tourist attraction on the drive into Litchfield.
Caution on fuel supply: Fuel is not available in Litchfield National Park. The nearest gas station is in Batchelor. Do fill up your tanks before driving beyond Batchelor (into Litchfield).
Money saving tip: Supplies and fuel are priced higher in Batchelor. Ensure that you stock up on the necessities before arriving at Batchelor/Litchfield.
Visting in a campervan
Having a campervan is one of the best ways to explore Litchfield National Park. This is especially so due to limited accommodations in/near the park. If you’re new to campervan/motorhome and would like to know more about the experience, refer to our other blog (click here).
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Where to stay
As mentioned, accommodation options are limited within Batchelor. During our Jun-2018 trip, we were visiting in a campervan and spent our first night in Batchelor Holiday Park. Which is next to the only gas station in town.
Batchelor Holiday Park
The facilities at Batchelor Holiday Park** are rather basic and dated. However, the owner is extremely helpful and there is an interesting bird feeding session every evening by the office block.
If you’re not in a rush, we do suggest driving further along route #30 (towards Litchfield) to check out other holiday parks. After leaving Batchelor, you will drive pass another 2-3 holiday parks before entering Litchfield. These holiday parks typically provide simple room-styled and camping (powered/unpowered sites) accommodations.
Litchfield Tourist Park
For our second night in Litchfield, we stayed in a powered campervan site in Litchfield Tourist Park**. Which is 13km away from Batchelor (and 22km before Magnetic Termite Mounds).
We greatly enjoyed the stay and found Litchfield Tourist Park to be in good general condition, with clean and tidy ablution blocks. Similar with many other holiday parks in Australia, there is a small swimming pool on the property.
One interesting aspect of its camping sites are that a few of them are sheltered. With differing heights to accommodate various sizes of campervans/motorhomes. And for its unsheltered sites (grass patch), many have very generous plot sizes.
On the down side, do note that mobile reception is almost non-existent on most parts of the property. The only area with patchy (at best) reception is the entrance of the property.
**Disclosure: The links to Litchfield Tourist Park and Batchelor Holiday Park are affiliated links. It will cost nothing to you, but we do receive a small fee if you book through these links. This small fee will go a long way to help us maintain this blog.
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Things to do in Litchfield National Park
Most of the popular tourist attractions in Litchfield National Park are easily accessible via 2WD vehicles. Thus, one does not really need a 4WD to visit the park.
The following is the list of attractions that we explored in Litchfield National Park during our Jun-2018 trip. All accessible via 2WD. For those looking to explore Litchfield via 2WD vehicles like us, these are the must-see attractions that you should not miss.
There are other attractions in Litchfield National Park that are only accessible via 4WD vehicles. However, you’re probably not missing much if you give those a pass.
Note: Entry into Litchfield National Park and its attractions are free.
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#1: Magnetic Termite Mounds
The Magnetic Termite Mounds is the first major attraction one would come to while driving into Litchfield National Park. A large field of magnetic termite mounds can be found next to the parking area. There are also cathedral termite mounds on the opposite end of the parking area, just beside the toilets.
A relatively small area, expect to spend 20-30 minutes here.
Magnetic Termite Mounds
The fascinating magnetic termites and their distinctively north-south oriented mounds are extremely unique, and not found in any other places on earth.
Most other termite species stay underground to escape from the sun. However, this is not an option for magnetic termites. The land in these parts are often soaked during the wet season. Thus, the magnetic termites had to build their nest above ground. Often resulting in mounds that have heights of a few metres.
To further protect their mounds from the scorching heat in these harsh outback conditions. Magnetic termites displayed amazing ingenuity by making their mounds wedge-shaped, and aligned in a north-south orientation.
This clever north-south alignment ensures that only one side of the mound will be in the sun, with the other side in the shade. Thus, making certain that there will always be a cooler shaded part in the mound to stay, regardless the time of day. Truly amazing brilliance from such a small insect.
It is due to this distinctive north-south alignment that the magnetic termites came to be named as such.
Magnetic termite mounds
Cathedral Termite Mounds
Cathedral termites got their names from the tall (often above 5m), cathedral-like mounds that they make. In particular, the towering cathedral termite mound adjacent to the parking area is estimated to be more than 50 years old.
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Cathedral Termite Mounds
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#2: Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole
Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole are two of the most popular attractions in Litchfield National Park. Both are located in close proximity though each has its own parking area.
Florence Falls
Florence Falls is a segmented waterfall with a pristine rock pool at its base.
From the parking area (of Florence Falls), it is an easy 120m walk to an elevated lookout of the waterfall. The cascading upper sections of Florence Falls can be seen in the distant from this lookout.
From the lookout, visitors would need to walk a further 310m (which includes descending 135 steps) to the rock pool at the base of Florence Falls.
The rock pool isn’t especially large. And there are no facilities or lifeguards here. However, it is an excellent place for a dip. The water is cool and crystal clear. And there are a number of fishes residing in the rock pool. Visitors could even swim right up to the base of the waterfall. Which is an extremely fun and interesting experience, especially for kids.
Surely a must-do in Litchfield National Park!
Safety notes: The rock pool can be deep, especially nearer to the base of the waterfall. Do not dive/jump into the rock pool, as there can be submerged rocks/logs. Rocks can be slippery due to algae.
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Buley Rockhole
Buley Rockhole is a series of gentle cascades and shallow rock pools stretching approximately 70 metres along a small stream. Visitors could relax and water play at any of the numerous rock pools here.
The entire experience is extremely interesting. We particularly enjoyed lazing around here and dipping in the cool water. The various rock pools felt almost like a series of outdoor Jacuzzis, only that everything is natural.
This is definitely another must-do in Litchfield National Park.
Buley Rockhole has its own (albeit small) parking area. And is a short 5 minutes’ drive from that of Florence Falls. If the parking here is full, visitors could leave their cars at Florence Falls carpark and walk over (1.6km) via Florence Creek Walk.
Safety note: Rocks can be slippery due to algae.
More pictures of Buley Rockhole
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Buley Rockhole Video
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#3: Tolmer Falls
Tolmer Falls is a plunge waterfall and is probably the most impressive falls in this list. However, do note that swimming is prohibited here.
Tolmer Viewing Deck
From the parking area, it is a 250m walk to the spacious Tolmer Viewing Deck. The deck offers an expansive view of the top of the escarpment and the lowlands further afield. But the waterfall cannot be viewed from here.
Tolmer Falls Lookout
To view the falls, visitors have to walk a further 150m to Tolmer Falls Lookout. Which is a lookout at the edge of the escarpment offering an elevated view of Tolmer Falls.
Sadly, Tolmer Falls is quite a distance away (from the lookout). And the entire area around the falls, including its plunge pool, is out of bounds to visitors. Thus, there’s no way for visitors to get a closer look at this spectacular waterfall.
Tolmer Creek Walk
For those looking for a short hike, Tolmer Creek Walk is a 1.5km (45 minutes return) loop which starts at the parking area.
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#4: Wangi Falls
Wangi Falls is the undisputed top draw in Litchfield National Park. It is a segmented waterfall over the edge of a rock escarpment. With a large plunge pool at its base.
The parking area is just a stone throw away from the pool. Amenities here include a cafe, BBQ pits and toilets with showers.
Swimming at Wangi Falls
Swimming (in the plunge pool) is the most popular activity at Wangi falls. And it is possible to swim 70m to the base of the twin waterfalls.
However, the pool can be closed at times. Due to potential crocodile presence after heavy rainfalls. And especially during the wet season (October to March) when strong currents make it hazardous for swimming.
Safety note: The plunge pool can be deep. At up to 14m depth in certain parts.
Hiking
Hiking is also popular here. From the plunge pool, visitors could walk 400m to a Treetop Deck (viewing platform). This walk to the Treetop Deck is part of the 1.7km (1.5hours) Wangi Falls Loop Walk. Which leads to the top of the rock escarpment and Wangi falls.
Unfortunately, during our Jun-2018 visit, Wangi Falls was closed to swimming due to crocodiles. And the walks (Treetop Deck and Wangi Falls Loop) were temporary closed due to fire damage.
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Related posts:
- 10-Days Itinerary for Darwin and Northern Territory
- Things to do in Darwin (Northern Territory, Australia)
- Nitmiluk National Park Travel Blog (Northern Territory, Australia)
- Kakadu National Park Travel Blog (Northern Territory, Australia)
- Darwin to Kakadu National Park Self-Drive Time-Lapse (Northern Territory, Australia)
- Top 9 Places to visit in Gold Coast for families with kids
- 11 Great Places to visit in Sydney
- Exploring Western Australia (Best of Perth & Fremantle)
- Exploring Western Australia (Highlights beyond Perth)
- Motorhome & Car Rental (Western Australia)
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