Guide · Top End ·
Litchfield National Park day trip from Darwin
A Litchfield National Park day trip from Darwin fits neatly into a single long day. The park was proclaimed in 1986 and sits roughly 100 km south-west of the city, under two hours by sealed road. You can reach most of the best stops in a normal two-wheel-drive car. Plan on three or four stops, leave early and swim at the falls when the heat builds up.
This guide covers the main waterfalls, the swimming rules to follow, a simple loop, and what to bring. July is a good time to go, because the Top End is in its dry season.
Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Litchfield National Park (version of 1 July 2012).
Getting there and how long to allow
The drive from Darwin takes a little under two hours each way. The main road through the park is sealed, so you do not need a four-wheel drive for the big attractions. Allow a full day. A realistic plan is to leave Darwin by 7 am, spend about six hours at the park, and head home by mid afternoon, before the light fades and the road gets dark.
Some remote spots need a four-wheel drive. The Lost City, a field of free-standing sandstone blocks and pillars, is one of them. If you only have a regular car, leave it for another trip and spend the extra time at the water.
Fill your tank before you leave the city. Bring more water than you think you need, and do not count on a phone signal inside the park.
Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Litchfield National Park (version of 1 July 2012).
The waterfalls worth your time
Litchfield is known for its waterfalls and plunge pools. These are the stops most visitors pick for a single day.
- Florence Falls. A double waterfall that drops into a popular swimming hole. It is a good first swim of the day.
- Buley Rockhole. A long run of small cascades and plunge pools, one after another. It suits families, since you can pick a pool that is not crowded.
- Wangi Falls. Easy to reach and open all year. It is a big, open pool, and a good place for lunch. After heavy rain the water can be too high for swimming.
- Tolmer Falls. A waterfall that spills over two escarpments into a deep pool. Treat it as a stop for the view and a photo.
The park also has the magnetic termite mounds. These are wedge-shaped mounds that all line up north to south. That layout helps keep the inside of each mound at a steady temperature. They are close to the road and take only a few minutes to see.
Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Litchfield National Park (version of 1 July 2012).
Swimming rules and crocodile safety
Swimming is a big part of the day, but it comes with rules. The Northern Territory has both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles. The Finniss River area near the park has large saltwater crocodiles.
- Swim only where it is signed as open. Read the signs at each car park and at the water.
- Respect closures. Some places are closed to swimmers for safety. At Tjaetaba Falls, swim only above the falls, because the area below is an Aboriginal sacred site where swimming is not allowed.
- Do not swim after heavy rain. High water at the falls can make swimming unsafe or impossible.
- Never dive into water you cannot see into. Rocks and logs can sit just under the surface. Step in slowly.
When in doubt, stay out of the water and ask a ranger. This is general information only. Always follow the signs and any advice from park staff on the day.
Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Litchfield National Park (version of 1 July 2012).
A simple day loop
Here is an easy plan that fits one day. Times are a guide only, so adjust them to the traffic and the heat.
- 7:00 am. Leave Darwin and head south. Take a thermos and snacks for the road.
- 9:00 am. Arrive in the park. Stop at the magnetic termite mounds for a quick look.
- 10:00 am. Swim at Florence Falls while the car park is still quiet.
- 11:30 am. Try a few pools at Buley Rockhole.
- 1:00 pm. Have lunch at Wangi Falls. Swim if the water level allows it.
- 2:30 pm. Stop at Tolmer Falls for a last look.
- 3:00 pm. Start the drive home, and arrive in Darwin before dark.
If you want a slower day, drop one stop. Two good swims beat four rushed ones. The park is also set up for camping at places such as Wangi Falls, Buley Rockhole and Florence Falls, and fees apply. Staying a night lets you see the falls with fewer people around.
Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Litchfield National Park (version of 1 July 2012).
What to bring
- At least three litres of drinking water for each person.
- Swimwear, a towel and a dry change of clothes.
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
- Sturdy shoes or sandals with grip. Rocks at the pools are often wet and slippery.
- A picnic, and a bag to carry your rubbish out with you.
- A printed map, since a phone may not work in the park.
The weather in July is usually dry and warm. Even so, the sun is strong at this latitude, and the walks between pools have little shade. Check road and park notices before you set off, because conditions can change after rain.
The park is a short trip from the city, but it feels a long way from it. Go early, take it slowly and leave the place as clean as you found it.
Sources for this section: Wikipedia, Litchfield National Park (version of 1 July 2012).
Sources
- Wikipedia, Litchfield National Park, version of 1 July 2012: en.wikipedia.org