Litchfield National Park

Litchfield Gallery

Litchfield National Park is located about 130 kms south of Darwin and 270 kilometres north of Katherine in the Northern Territory of Australia. It was proclaimed a National Park in 1986 and has and area of 143 sq km. More than a quarter of a million visitors visit Litchfield National Park annually, journeying to view the monsoonal rainforest, permanent spring—fed waterfalls, magnetic termite mounds, the weathered sandstone outcrops and historic ruins.

Litchfield History

The Litchfield area was the original home of the Wagait people. The first European connection with the area was the Finniss expedition, and the region was named after a member of that expedition, Frederick Henry Litchfield. The history of Litchfield has been closely associated with mining for many years. For 75 years until mid 20th century, the area was a centre of tin, copper and uranium mining. Subsequently, it fell under a pastoral lease until it became Litchfield National Park.

Exploring Litchfield National Park

Litchfield National Park can be comfortably explored in a one day drive from Darwin, although there is plenty of accommodation in the region of you wish to stay longer. Litchfield has its major attractions linked by sealed road, although a 4WD is necessary to access some of the more remote natural attractions. It is also possible, during the Dry Season, to travel by 4WD down the Southern Access Track to the Daly River Road. When intending to travel on unsealed roads in Litchfield National Park during the Wet Season, always check on road conditions. This can be done through the Tourist Information Centre, the police or road authorities. Some areas of the park may be difficult to access during the wet season and some waterholes may be closed.

To get to Litchfield National Park, head south from Darwin on the Stuart Highway and turn off to Berry Springs. Continue west, following the signs to Litchfield National Park. There is a 50km section of unsealed gravel road which may be inaccessible in the wet season, but is very pretty with several shallow creek crossings before the road returns to bitumen at the entrance to Litchfield National Park. Alternatively, if you would rather remain on bitumen the whole way, the park can be accessed from the southern entrance off the Stuart Highway near Batchelor.

Litchfield National Park Attractions

Wangi Falls
Wangi Falls is the first attraction in Litchfield National Park and also the most popular. At Wangi Falls, two waterfalls cascade into a large pool amid lush rainforest. Wangi Falls is the most accessible swimming hole in Litchfield National Park.

Tolmer Falls
The next stop on the loop through Litchfield National Park is Tolmer Falls, where a short walk leads to a viewing platform looking out over the very steep waterfall. The views are spectacular but the waterfall is inaccessible.

Lost City
If travelling by 4WD in Litchfield, take the turn-off to the Lost City, a group of fantastically-shaped sandstone towers, formed by thousands of years of wind and rain erosion. The 10km track is fairly easy going, but narrow and one-way for the most part; you’ll need to watch for oncoming vehicles and be prepared to pull off the track to let them pass.

Buley Rockhole
Next stop is Buley Rockhole, a chain of small pools linked by small waterfalls, and one of the most popular swimming places in Litchfield National Park.

Termite Mounds
One of the last stops in Litchfield National Park is the magnetic termite mounds. These two-metre high thin towers are all aligned north-south to keep the inside of the mound cool against the heat of the sun. A boardwalk winds around the nests and lots of interpretive boards explaining how the tiny termites build the mounds.

Litchfield Flora and Fauna

The central sandstone plateau in Litchfield National Park supports rich woodland flora communities, dominated by species including the Darwin Wollybutt (Eucalyptus miniata) and Darwin Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta) as well as banksias, grevilleas, terminalias and a wide variety of other woodland species. Patches of monsoonal rainforest thrive in the deep, narrow gorges within the park, which were created over thousands of years by the force of the waterfalls cutting into the escarpment walls.

Common wildlife species in Litchfield National Park include the Antilopine Wallaroo, Agile Wallaby, Sugar Glider, Northern Brushtail Possum, Fawn Antechinun, Black and Little Red Flying Foxes and the Dingo. The caves near Tolmer Falls are home to a colony of the rare Orange Horseshoe Bat. Litchfield National Park is a haven for hundreds of native bird species. Black kites and other birds of prey are common during the Dry Season. The Yellow Oriole, Figbird, Koel, Spangled Drongo, Dollarbird and the Rainbow Bee-eater inhabit the sheltered areas close to waterfalls within the park. Visitors walking the trails through the monsoon vine-forests in Litchfield might spot the impressive but harmless Nephila spider with its strong, sticky web strung between the trees. The black and yellow female of the species may grow to the size of a human hand, while the tiny orange male may be barely visible.