Litchfield National Park is just an hour-and-a-half drive from Darwin and features a rugged ancient landscape including sandstone escarpments, perennial spring-fed streams, monsoon rainforest, magnetic termite mounds, waterfalls and historic ruins.

Connection to country

This 1,500 square-kilometre park is an important area to the Koongurrukun, Marranuggu, Werat, and Warray Aboriginal people.

The Finniss exploration was the first European connection to the area and the park was named after Frederick Henry Litchfield, a member of the expedition. For 75 years until 1955, the area was the centre for tin and copper mining. It then fell under a pastoral lease until it was designated a national park in 1986.

It’s best to stay at least two days in Litchfield to experience the true beauty. With plenty of plunge pools and rock holes to keep you busy.

Litchfield National Park’s major attractions are linked by a sealed road, although a four-wheel drive is necessary to access The Lost City, Homestead, Central Valley and the Reynolds River Track. It is also possible during the dry season to travel by four-wheel drive down the Reynolds River Track to Daly River Road. If you are renting a vehicle check whether you can take it on unsealed roads with your rental company.

Litchfield can be accessed via the southern entrance via Batchelor, or the northern entrance via Peninsula Way, which forms the Litchfield Loop. This opens the area up to more sightseeing opportunities as it joins the Cox Peninsula area with the whole of the Litchfield National Park.

The crystal-clear swimming holes and pleasant bushwalking trails make this park a favourite among Darwin locals. Meals and refreshments are available inside the park in and around Wangi Falls and you can stay overnight at a number of places in and along the road to the park that offer campsites, cabins and caravans, or in the small township of Batchelor.

Adventure the way you want it

Bamboo Creek Tin Mine

Easily accessed, just a short walk from the car park to the ruins of the old tin mine. Tin was mined here on a small scale from 1905, however adverse Litchfield National Park Woman looking at the Wangi Falls Tourism NT / Taylah Nilsson Buley Rockhole, Litchfield National Park Tourism Australia DARWIN & SURROUNDS conditions of transportation and unfavourable Top End Summer rains brought about the closure of the mine in the 1950s.

Blyth Homestead Ruins

Blyth Homestead is located just off the Sandy Creek Road. Within the park are the ruins of the old homestead built in 1929 by the Sergeant family. The homestead was eventually abandoned in the 1960s and is now preserved as a popular visitor attraction. No camping. Closed over the Top End Summer.

Buley Rockhole

A series of small waterfalls and rock holes that provide the perfect site to simply cool off and relax. For the bushwalker the Florence Creek Walk leads from Buley Rockhole to Florence Falls.

Cascades

A waterhole suitable for swimming, Cascades features an all-weather access road to a carpark, grassland viewing platforms and a walking trail from the picnic area to the top of Cascades. Toilet facilities available.

Central Valley

Accessible via high clearance 4WD only via the Lost City track, a range of beautiful new central valley sites have opened in Litchfield National Park and feature large camping areas with idyllic plunge pools nearby for exclusive use. Closed during the Top End Summer. Bookings must be made with National Parks before travelling and you will be issued with a key to access the track.

Florence Falls

A spectacular double waterfall open year round for viewing, set amidst monsoon rainforest. There are 135 steps through rainforest to take you to the base of the falls, but if you don’t feel like walking all the way a nearby viewing platform is ideal for sightseeing and photography. The falls have campgrounds with showers and toilet facilities. Camping fees apply.

Greenant Creek to Tjaetaba Falls

Allow 1.5 hours for this three-kilometre return walk. Picnic tables near the creek provide a good place to take a break before taking the steep climb to the top of Tjaetaba Falls where swimming is allowed.

The falls and area below are an Aboriginal sacred site - swimming downstream is prohibited. Toilet facilities available.

Surprise Creek Falls

Accessible by 4WD only. A short walk through a shady monsoon forest leads to a large tranquil pool. A little further, a couple of round rock pools sunk into the rock face towards the start of these small but pleasant falls. A great cooling-off spot after a walk. Camping fees apply. Toilet facilities only. Closed over the Top End Summer.

The Tabletop Track – a Bush Walker’s Delight

This long distance bushwalk offers the opportunity to experience the isolation of the Top End. You’ll hike through extensive woodlands, along creek lines to scenic waterfalls and pools. The 39-kilometre circuit is suitable for experienced, well-prepared bushwalkers willing to carry their supplies (including water) and camp with minimal facilities. Note: The Tabletop Track is closed between October and June.

For more information visit: nt.gov.au/parks/ find-a-park/litchfield-national-park/litchfieldnational-park-tabletop-track

Termite Mounds

A major attraction seen on driving into the park are the many Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds found on the floodplains, standing up to two metres in height in a north-south orientation. The configuration acts as a built-in temperature control mechanism, allowing the least possible surface area to be exposed to the heat of the sun.

The Lost City

Accessible by 4WD only (during the dry season, May to October) the impressive site known as ‘The Lost City’, reminiscent of the ruins of some lost civilisation, is a formation of sandstone blocks and majestic pillars formed and weathered by the elements. The site is some eight kilometres off the main Litchfield Park Road. No camping. Closed over the Top End Summer.

Tolmer Falls

The lookout to view these dramatic falls is located 400 metres from the car park. There is no access to the gorge below as it is home to protected rare species of bats, the Orange Horseshoe Bat and the Ghost Bat. However, the Tolmer Creek Walk (1.6km) leads from the lookout along Tolmer Creek. Note: No swimming or camping permitted at this location.

Tjaynera Falls/Sandy Creek Falls

Nestling in an open valley luxuriant with paperbarks, the falls can be accessed by taking the 1.7km walking trail. After your walk enjoy the usually uncrowded plunge pool. The falls are 9km from the southern access track accessible by four-wheel drive only Toilet and shower facilities. Camping fees apply. Closed over the Top End Summer.

Walker Creek

Allow two hours for this 3.5-kilometre return walk. The trail leads to a shared picnic area with the opportunity for a cooling swim in a crystal-clear pool. Camping spots are available along the trail. Closed over the Top End Summer.

Wangi Falls

The most popular because of its easy access. Wangi has a camping ground with all amenities including toilets, café, showers and free gas BBQs in designated areas and waterfalls surrounding a cool freshwater swimming hole. Camping fees apply.