Litchfield National Park is a true gem of Australia, boasting awe-inspiring waterfalls, invigorating swimming holes, picturesque hiking trails, and abundant wildlife to admire. All of this natural beauty is easily accessible with just a short 90-minute drive from Darwin.
Things to Do in Litchfield National Park
Litchfield National Park offers many activities for visitors. Most of these activities revolve around the best swimming spots. If you’re interested in exploring nature and wildlife, don’t forget to bring your camera! You’ll see amazing things during your visit.
One of the best things about Litchfield is that most sites are on the same road – like a big circle. With its convenient layout, you can easily enjoy all that Litchfield offers.
You can visit the park on a day trip from Darwin, but spending more time here is best. The park is vast, and there is so much to see that one day will not be enough.
Florence Falls
Florence Falls is one of my favorite places to visit. It boasts a stunning double waterfall that flows into a large swimming pool, surrounded by towering cliffs and lush greenery filled with colorful flying fox bats. The beautiful scenery will make you feel as if you are on a movie set.
The pool features convenient steps for easy access. Unfortunately, visitors were unable to witness the majesty of the two waterfalls up close due to a recent flood. Nonetheless, you can still enjoy the fantastic venture towards the falls. If you’re paying attention, you’ll see a crown of bats in the trees.
Buley Rockhole
The crystal-clear waters and stunning tiered pools at Buley Rockhole make it a popular destination. The size and depth of each pool vary, so take your time to find the perfect spot for yourself. I suggest visiting early in the morning to secure a good space for the day, as it can get quite crowded during hot summer days.
During our visit to Buley Rockhole, we found no food or drinks for sale, at least not when we were there. Therefore, it’s advisable to bring snacks and water, especially during the hot summer days.
Magnetic Termite Mounds
When you enter Litchfield National Park from Batchelor Town, you’ll see the Magnetic Termite Mounds – impressive structures built by termites. Some are as tall as 4 meters (13 feet) and are called cathedrals.
The mounds are named “magnetic” because they face north, which helps the termites control the temperature and interior humidity.
At the Magnetic Termite Mounds site, there are two viewing platforms:
– One circles a 4-meter-tall cathedral-like mound, while the other overlooks a field filled with all-size tombstone-like mounds. The grass in the field was tall, making it hard to picture their appearance.
Litchfield National Park has many of these mounds, each impressive in its own way. Take a moment to appreciate these natural wonders on your visit.
Wangi Falls
They are hands down the most loved attraction in Litchfield National Park. It’s a breathtaking double waterfall cascading into a large swimming pool, hugged by lush vegetation with beautiful trees.
However, it’s a bummer that swimming is temporarily forbidden in the pool today due to recent floods, which usually draw huge crowds of tourists.
How to get there
Litchfield National Park is just about 100 km (62 miles) southwest of Darwin, and you can get there by car.
Depending on traffic, it should take around 1.5 to 2 hours from Darwin if you decide to drive. You can enter the park through Batchelor or Cox Peninsula Road.
If you have extra time, consider adding Adelaide River to your itinerary. It’s well worth it.
If you’re looking for a guided experience, Darwin offers several Tours, ranging from day trips to multi-day excursions.
I hope you have a fantastic time exploring Litchfield National Park!
The best time to visit Litchfield National Park
During the dry season, the best time to visit Litchfield National Park is between May and September. There is less chance of rain during this time, so most pools will be open.
Although the temperature is cooler this season, remember that tropical temperatures can still reach 30 degrees Celsius (86F), so swimming is a great way to cool off.
It’s the wet season when heavy rain and potential flooding can occur from October to April. Some park areas may be closed during this time due to the risk of saltwater crocodiles entering. However, this is also when waterfalls are most spectacular. Be sure to check road closures before heading there.
When visiting Litchfield, keep these things in mind:
The park has no cell coverage, so be ready to disconnect and enjoy nature. It’s impossible to get lost, as there is only one road in and out.
Bring water and snacks as there are limited facilities in the park.