Litchfield National Park
Bring a camera to capture the streaming waterfalls, unique rock formations and clear swimming holes of this dynamic landscape in Australia’s Top End.
Litchfield National Park is where you will find Northern Territory’s stunning natural environment at its best. Walk through rainforest trails, visit intriguing rock formations and cool off with a swim beneath dramatic waterfalls.
Established in 1986, Litchfield National Park covers 1,500 square kilometres (579 square miles) and was named after 19th-century pioneer Frederick Litchfield. Before you plan your trip, stop by the Litchfield Tourism Precinct in the park’s north, where you can find information, food and campgrounds.
Litchfield National Park’s picturesque waterfalls are its top attraction. Stop by Tolmer Falls and watch water plunging from the tabletop plateau into the deep pool below. Explore the surrounding terrain on the Tolmer Falls walk, which is suitable for beginners.
Wangi Falls is one of the most popular attractions in the park and is particularly spectacular in the wet season. Note that the swimming hole here may be closed for swimming due to crocodiles. If you are going to Florence Falls, make sure to pack your camera. This spectacular cascade can be viewed from a number of different lookouts.
Explore the Buley Rockhole trail, which takes you through a fragrant rainforest and past a number of isolated swimming areas. Find a shady area at the Tabletop Swamp and settle down with a picnic as you spot native birds on the water.
Rent a four-wheel drive and head to the Lost City, a naturally occurring rock formation that resembles the ruins of an ancient civilisation. Drive to nearby Blyth Homestead, which was abandoned in the 1960s, for a glimpse into the tough life of Australia’s pioneers.
Take a stroll past the field of Magnetic Termite Mounds. Admire these enormous wedge-shaped formations, which were all built facing a north–south direction.
Litchfield National Park is located 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Darwin, just west of the town of Batchelor. Get there on a tour bus and take a guided trip through the park. Otherwise, explore at your own pace by four-wheel drive. Note that certain areas may not be accessible in the wet season, from November to April. Check flood warning levels before travelling.