Litchfield National Park, NT

The park is 129 km south from Darwin and became a national park in the 1986. It is home to the Aboriginal Wagait people but it's named after Frederick Henry Litchfield, member of the Finnis Exploration, the first european one in the area. 

Before becoming a national park, the area was the centre for tin and copper mining.
All major attraction are accessible nowadays with normal cars by sealed road, but some interesting part are just unsealed road and accessible with a four-wheel drive vehicle during the dry season only, that goes from May until September/October. The only way to stay overnight is camping and some camping fees are charged, while no entry fees are applied.

I visited the park in four days and saw some of the unsealed road and not most common touristic spots, where the tour operators bring tourist on a daily trip. Driving from Darwin via BERRY SPRINGS, the first stop of my visit to the park has been Wangi Falls, that is the most popular point due to the easy access and the Wangi Visitor Centre. On the same way, previously than Wangi Falls, Bamboo Creek Tin Mine is easy to be accessed, a little tin mine from 1905, closed in the 1950s because of adverse conditions of transportation and unfavourable wet season rains. 

Wallabies at the campground

Driving in south direction, next stop could be Greenant Creek to Tjaetaba Falls or if you drive a 4WD, you can decide to head to Surprise Creek where it's possible to camp. My stop was a half way before Surprise Creek to Blythe Homestead Ruins, an interesting place where there is the old homestead built in 1929 by the Sergeant family and abandoned in 1960s.

It was the home of Sergeant's children. He brought them there and asked them to work in the timber mine. If you go there, don't miss out the stories of the kids about their lifestyle and the way they used to live. For the night you can camp in the camp zone of Tjaynera Falls/ Sandy Creek Falls and access to the falls the following morning after walking the 1.7 kilometre trail. That is one of the best spot in the park, uncrowded and stunning. 

Tjaynera Falls, Litchfield NT

On the way back, on the sealed road next destination is Tolmer Falls, where it's possible to take some pictures from the lookout and/or have a nice walk to Tolmer Creek and enjoy the bird eye view of the Falls, in which gorge is not allowed to access as it is a protected area for rare species of bats.

Heading east after Tolmer Falls, there's another 4WD section that reaches The Lost City. I didn't understand why the lost city was so named, because it's a formation of sandstone blocks and pillars weathered by the elements that didn't remind me of a city and I didn't even find it the site so special, but if you're curious enough go and have a look out there. If not, drive to Buley Rockhole and Florence Falls, two of the more popular main attractions of the park. Buley Rock hole is characterised by small waterfalls and nice rock holes where relax and cool off in a sunny day, while the Florence Falls is a double waterfall reachable after 120 steps through the rainforest and it's usually crowded.

Going back to Darwin, via Batchelor, stop at the Magnetic Termite Mounds to learn about how termites build their houses and take some photos near massive construction, even two meters high.

Magnetic Termite Mound

Remember to fuel the vehicle before entering the park, as no fuel facilities are available, but if you want to save money and keep yourself fit consider the walking track. If you like nature, walking and adventure, you are experienced and well-prepared explore the park on the Tabletop Track Walk, the 39 km circuit that links all the major attractions taking up to 3 days to walk. Take care and inform yourself about everything you need!!