The Litchfield National Park is situated about 100 kilometres away from Darwin. It resides in the Northern Territory of Australia. The park covers an area of approximately 1,500 square kilometres. It was declared a national park in 1986.
1. Litchfield National Park- The Attractions
The attractions in the Litchfield National Park are numerous. You can easily access many of these by two-wheel vehicles. At the same time, many attractions in remote areas are accessed with four-wheeler vehicles. The list of major attractions in the Litchfield National Park is given below.
1.1.Bamboo Creek
Bamboo Creek contains several interpretive symbols. These symbols tell about the ways that were used to extract tin. Miners have struggled and put much effort into living here in unfavourable conditions. So, it appreciates the hardship of the miners.
1.2. Buley Rockhole
In Buley Rockhole, you will see a long cascading plunge pool series.
1.3. Tjaetaba Falls
The Tjaetaba Falls is a drop near Greenant Creek. Greenant Creek is among the small systems in the Litchfield National Park. The downward area and these falls are part of Aboriginal sacred sites. Moreover, tourists are asked to swim above the falls only.
1.4. Magnetic Termite Mounds
Thousands of termites have built these termite mounds. The thing to look at is the north-south orientation. It helps in controlling the internal temperature of banks.
1.5. Florence Falls
Florence Falls leads to a renowned swimming hole in the park. It is a double-plunge waterfall.
1.6. Surprise Creek Falls
The Surprise Creek Falls is a place that is open for swimming.
1.7. Tolmer Falls
The Tolmer Falls showers over the descents into the deep diving pool. Rare orange horseshoes and ghost bats are found at the bottom of falls.
1.8. Blyth Homestead
The Blyth Homestead was built in 1929. It is a remembrance of pioneers in remote areas who survived these challenging circumstances.
1.9. Sandy Creek (Tjaynera Falls)
The Sandy Creek is also known as the Tjaynera Falls. It is a 3.5-kilometre-long return walk for the visitors after a medium level. It facilitates a plunge pool downwards the Tjaynera Falls for the visitors to enjoy.
1.10. Wangi Falls
Wangi Falls are said to be the most famous attraction in the Litchfield National Park. However, it is open throughout the year and is easily accessible. Although, the water levels rise high due to the heavy rainfall. So, swimming is not possible all year round.
2. Bushwalks in Litchfield National Park
You can enjoy various walking tracks in the Litchfield National Park. It is asked to camp only in the designated campsites. Overnight Walks can also be registered at the Overnight Walker Registration Scheme.
2.1. The Lost City
In the Lost City, there are pillar and sandstone block formations. These formations reminded me of a long-forgotten civilization. It is only accessible with a four-wheeler vehicle. It is said to be one of the famous short walks in the Litchfield National Park.
2.2. Tabletop Track
The Tabletop Track is a 39-kilometer-long bush walk. It is along cascading waterfalls, trickling creeklines, and crystal-clear pools. Flying foxes, wallabies, and possums like wildlife can be spotted by the hikers.
2.3. Walker Creek Walk
The Walker Creek Walk has the way to Florence Falls after the final trek of the Tabletop Track. A variety of birdlife is inhabited in this forest area. You can also hear the bird calls and spot the local wildlife.
2.4. Florence Creek Walk
The Florence Creek is a 22-kilometer-long walk. The forming segment of the Tabletop Track will take you to Greenant Creek. It shelters a large variety of birds in its tropical rainforest.
Moreover, the birdlife includes pigeons, kingfishers, fairy-wrens, and honey-eaters. Northern Quolls and Brown Bandicoots can also be spotted along the way. It is said to be a challenging walk that takes about two days.
2.5. Wangi Falls Walk
The Wangi Falls Walk is a two-day walk. Firstly, it starts from Wangi Falls and takes you to Walker Creek. Kingfishers, red-winged parrots, and double-barred finches are abundant wildlife that can also be seen here.
2.6. Greenant Creek
The Greenant Creek is an 8.5-kilometre-long walk that is a part of Tabletop Track. It takes you to the Wangi Falls through the Greenant Creek.
A constant supply of water is available at the springs and creeks. Fig trees, Carpentaria palms, and weeping paperbark trees are standing here. Moreover, you can see frogs, lizards, and geckos.
3. Flora & Fauna
The Flora and Fauna contribute to the beauty of the Litchfield National Park. Flora shows the beautiful natural habitat of the park. At the same time, the Litchfield National Park’s rare and native fauna is watchable. It includes the fantastic small, tiny, large, and bird wildlife.
3.1. Flora
The central sandstone plateau supports the woodland flora communities. Terminalias, Darwin Woolybutt, Banksias, Darwin Stringybark, and Grevilleas are the significant species of flora here. The monsoonal rainforest’s remains bloom here down the edge.
With the force of waterfalls for thousands of years, they developed deep and narrow gorges in the escarpment. The scarcity of disturbance and its size make it more notable. Lilies and orchids bloom here among swamp bloodwoods, pandanus, and paperbark.
3.2. Fauna
Northern brushtail possums, little red and black flying foxes, and Antilopine Kangaroos are the common native wildlife species here. Moreover, the sugar glider, dingo, agile wallaby, and fawn antechinus are also included. The rare ghost and orange leaf-nosed bat are found in the caves near Tolmer Falls.
Buley Rockhole, Tolmer Falls, Florence Falls, and Wangi Falls are famous places among visitors. Large pools in these falls attract reptiles and birds.
Further, it includes honeyeaters, monitors, Torres Strait pigeons, orange-footed scrubfowl, and figbirds are included in the birdlife. Northern brown bandicoot, northern quoll, and northern brushtail possum are the nocturnal mammals.
You can see frill-necked lizards, most commonly in the entire park. But, it is not usually seen in the cold seasons. Many giant saltwater crocodiles are found in the Finniss River area. These are often known as ‘salties’.
4. Preservative Sites
Following are the preserved sites for designation:
4.1. Aboriginal Sacred Sites
The unique and sacred sites within the Litchfield National Park are the Aboriginal Sacred Sites.
4.2. Bamboo Creek Tin Mine
The Bamboo Creek Tin Mine is a labour-intensive mine. However, the small-scale mine is executed without any advantage of heavy earth machinery. It is one of the typical mines operated in the 19th and 20th centuries. Moreover, these were known to be driven by the Chinese.
You can see the tin processing mill, mine workings, and industrial remains. In 1906, the Tin was found in the Bamboo Creek. Later, it was operated irregularly till 1955.
All the activities in the underground mining are reflected here with these remains. The remains here include explosives magazines, transport, processing, ore extraction-related artifacts, and a few domestic remnants.
4.3. Greenant Creek
Downward area of the Greenant Creek beneath the Tjaetaba Falls is an Aboriginal sacred site. Visitors are not allowed to swim in the water. They are requested to follow all signs in the region.
4.4. Blyth Homestead
The Blyth Homestead has social and architectural importance. It is part of the heritage significance of the Northern Territory. The remains here include the Homestead building itself.
Moreover, the building consists of cypress pine, a single room, and an iron architecture that is encircled by verandahs. In addition, sandstone blocks, a flagstone floor, an iron scatter, and a few metal objects are also included.
5. Tourism in the Litchfield National Park
About 250,000 visitors are attracted by this park every year. It is closer to Darwin than the Kakadu National Park. You can drive here in less than two hours from Darwin. The driving can be done via a sealed road linking Batchelor Township to the Cox Peninsula Road.
6. Camping and Commercial Accommodation
Following is the list of camping spots in the Litchfield National Park. Here, the camping fees apply. Also, camping is not allowed everywhere in the park. It is permitted at several places, namely:
- Florence Falls (downstream)
- Wangi Falls
- Walker Creek
- Buley Rockhole
- Sandy Creek (Tjaynera Falls)
- Florence Falls
- Surprise Creek Falls
Given below is the list of commercial accommodations permitted outside the park:
- Rum Jungle Bungalows
- Litchfield Tourist and Van Park
- Historic Retreat
- Batchelor Resort Carravillage
- Wangi Tourist Park
- Batchelor Butterfly & Bird Farm
- Banyan Tree Caravan Park
7. Conclusion
The Litchfield National Park is located near the Adelaide River’s township. According to the data from 2017, the park attracted about 329,600 visitors. The Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory manages the park.
Moreover, the park attracts over 260,000 tourists from all over the world throughout the year. It was established on July 29, 1991. A territory pioneer, Frederick Henry Litchfield, the park is named after him.
Last Updated on January 17, 2024 by namitasoren
