Living it up at Litchfield National Park
- Danielle Willis
- Aug 1, 2016
- 2 min read
A mixture of excitement and apprehension ran through me as we set off on our Topdeck tour bus (Annie) heading towards Litchfield National Park. This was to be the first day of my Aussie adventure, and I can remember it like it was yesterday.
A 5:30am start wasn’t ideal after a 26 hour flight the previous day, but nevertheless I felt on top of the world, and couldn’t wait to kick off my solo travels with a spot of fresh water swimming.
Upon arriving at the park, I was so eager to cool off and jump right in; I made the rookie mistake of not bothering to apply sun cream. It’d be alright surely? It would only be for an hour or so and I’d be in the water…
No. It was far from ‘alright’ and I paid for it later. Lugging a rucksack around is not fun at the best of times, never mind when you’ve frazzled your shoulders under the sun. Anyway, it appears that the sun is in fact a lot stronger down under due to the depletion of the ozone layer over their part of the globe, so I didn’t stand a chance unprotected against the sun’s rays.
Moreover, the park itself was stunning and our first swim spot was the ‘Buley Rockhole’ nestled on the edge of the shady monsoon forest. Everything was just perfect, and I felt at one with nature as I sat with my legs dangling in the water soaking up the sunshine, wondering to myself why on earth I do not live here.
Our next swim spot was a spectacular double waterfall known as Florence Falls, which cascaded down into a large crystal clear plunge pool bustling with marine life. It was a popular swimming spot, and supposedly free of any unwanted crocodile guests.
For this spot it’s worthwhile bringing along a snorkel or goggles so you can experience the beauty of the underwater world. Or if you’re not much of a swimmer, take a scenic stroll to the viewing platform high above the cascade to capture it all on camera.
What’s more, the Park is a highly sought after day tour destination from Darwin or Katherine for us tourists, and seems to be a well favored pastime spot for locals alike. For those who wish to stay longer and experience Litchfield in all its glory, it also boasts a number of camping sites.
Finally, it’s open all year round, and you can also set off on bush walks, spot native wildlife and view historic ruins. There is also other accommodation available just outside the park if you’re not much of a camper.
So Litchfield National Park, it’s a thumb’s up from me. It’s a must see if you’re in the top end, although even if you’re further afield it’s well worth getting yourself there.
