We spent a couple of days driving through picuresque Litchfield National Park (approx. 1hr from Darwin) - exploring glorious waterfalls, km's of walking through different terrains, and swimming in chlily fresh plunge pools. Coming into Litchfield from the North; we visited Berry Springs, Cascades, Wangi Falls, Tolmer Falls, Blythe homestead, Tjaynera Falls, The lost city, Buley Rockhole and Florence falls. We managed to see all this in 2 days, but I recommend allowing a little more time - we were a little rushed and exhausted by the end of our 2 day campout.
Berry Springs
This is an almost warm swimming hole in certain parts. There are 3 sections to Berry Springs; the first section has a little mini waterfall that is pumping water downstream to the next section which has a sunbathing platform and stairs to enter into the water. The 3rd swimming section is a large water hole that has an awesome rope swing - but you have to swim out to it to use it.
Cascades
This place was simply stunning! A less commercialised attraction and therefore less crowds - and thank goodness for that! I don't think I could have shared much more of it. The walk into Cascades was over a km long of rugged terrain that changed from sandy floored rainforest to rocky steps and Cliffside tracks. It is just what its name suggests - Cascading waterfalls; each with plunge pools that are refreshingly swimmable... A magical place!
Wangi Falls
Wangi Falls is a busy place! Lots of tourists at this one. It was gorgeous though; A waterfall reaching high up into the sky set against a glorious rocky escarpment backdrop... you could climb up onto the first rock and jump off - for the gaim! The swim out to the waterfall is not for the faint-hearted. It's quite a swim and the water is chilly! A short swim to the left of the waterfall is a little pool catchment a couple of metres off water level; where the remnants of waterfall runoff is caught - creating a lovely little bath, several metres deep. A little further around is an embankment with a low rope swing - perfect for the boys. There were no campsites left here by midday so you need to get in early if you want to camp overnight.
Tolmer Falls
Tolmer Falls is visible by lookout only. A 400m up and down trek takes you to this stunning massive waterfall.
Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek)
You need a 4wd to enter this neck of the woods. We arrived here late in the afternoon so we set up camp for the night. We walked to the waterfall the next morning - over a km each way.
The Lost City
When you first drive into the Lost City, it feels as though it was once a functioning town; the appearance of buildings left to weather over time is what you see - but on closer inspection the ruins become massive sculptures of boulders, rock and twisted tree trunks entwined within. A very breathtaking experience to see this in person.
Buley Rockpools
The Buley Rockpools were my absolute favourite! Clear, blue chilly water, small waterfalls that each cascade down into its own plunge pool - providing a variety of area's to swim either upstream or downstream.
Florence Falls
A 135 step decline will take you to the base of the water fall's plunge pool. A lookout on your way down gives you an arial perspective of the size of the waterfall. When we were at the base, Matt thought we were at a different waterfall because the view from the ground is so very different to the view from above.
Termite Mounds
The magnetic termite mounds are impossible to miss! You will see these monster insect mounds throughout the park in areas; but the most impressive ones are at each end of Litchfield. The termite mounds are not magnetic as such; they are so called due to their north-south geographical positioning. Each mound is architecturally amazing inside - complete with arches, tunnels, chimneys, insulation and nursery chambers.
We left our van at Tumbling waters caravan park while we were in Litchfield NP. This caravan park was awesome - complete with open-air cinema, 6 fresh water crocs in an enclosure with weekly feeding by guests, a pool, Sunday markets and a visit by a ranger and different reptile each week from the Territory Wildlife Park.
We caught up with the Zutta's while we were there - another groovy travelling family. Adam has a quad chopper that Matt is destined to buy for us.... you attach a go pro camera to it and fly it around with dynamic control and capture breathtaking arial shots.