Litchfield National Park Travel Guide
Litchfield National Park is in the Northern Territory (Australia), 69 km south of Darwin. The park's main attractions are the waterfalls and the clear pools of water they cascade into. During the hot dry season the park is a magnet for people looking for a refreshing swim. Crocodiles do not seem to be as much a threat in Litchfield as they are in other Top End parks, such as Kakadu National Park. Other features of the park include the termite mounds and the "Lost City", an area of bizarre sandstone block and pillar formations which have been sculpted by wind and rain over thousands of years. Saltwater Crocodiles exist but are less numerous than in Kakadu, Darwin and the surrounding areas. Even so, they ARE present and swimming is not advised. Freshwater Crocodiles seem to be more common than Saltwater Corocdiles in Litchfield and they pose little or no threat to humans. As with anywhere in Australia, poisonous snakes are present but the chance of an encounter is rare. Litchfield National Park is spectacular at any time, though most 4WD tracks are closed during the wet season. Some swimming areas such as Wangi Falls, become unsafe after heavy rain and are closed for swimming but kiosk and picnic facilities remain open.
Litchfield National Park Attractions
Litchfield National Park features numerous waterfalls which cascade from a sandstone plateau called the Tabletop Range, intriguing magnetic termite mounds, historical sites, and the weathered sandstone pillars of the Lost City. Litchfield National Park's central sandstone plateau 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 monsoon rainforest thrive in the deep, narrow gorges created over thousands of years by the force of the waterfalls cutting into the escarpment walls. Common wildlife species 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 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. Visitors walking the trails through the monsoon vine-forests 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 can be barely visible.
Litchfield National Park Activities
There are many camping areas located throughout the Park, as well as picnic areas and bushwalking tracks. Some waterholes are safe to swim in. There are guided ranger walks and shows on various themes - check with the Northern Territory Government's Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts department for details.
Litchfield National Park Accommodation
There is a caravan park at the Wangi Falls. Otherwise, there are plenty of designated campgrounds throughout the national park, each with varying facilities and amenities.
Litchfield National Park Dining | Nightlife
There is a kiosk at the Wangi Falls.
Litchfield National Park Shopping
There is a kiosk at the Wangi Falls.
Litchfield National Park Transportation
The only way to get around within Litchfield National Park is on foot or by car, preferrably a 4WD.
Litchfield National Park Gateways
It is possible to see the many of the sights of the park in a day trip driving from Darwin. There are also organized tours that take in the most popular destinations within Litchfield NP. Near Batchelor, 100 km south-west of Darwin, the Park is generally accessible all year (sealed roads) via Batchelor. In the dry season it is also possible to get to the Park via Cox Peninsula Road (which is unsealed).
Information on this page has been extracted from http://wikitravel.org/en/Litchfield_National_Park and is based on work by Ian Sergeant and Evan Prodromou, Wikitravel user(s) Akubra and Tiles and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.
