What is Litchfield National Park known for?
Litchfield National Park, about 100 kilometres southwest of Darwin, is known for waterfalls, swimming holes, monsoon forest and giant magnetic termite mounds.
The park's sandstone plateau, called the Tabletop Range, feeds springs that keep waterfalls flowing even in the dry season. Florence Falls, Wangi Falls, Tolmer Falls and Buley Rockhole are among the most popular sites.
Swimming is allowed at several plunge pools when rangers judge them safe from saltwater crocodiles. Pools are checked and closed when needed, especially in the wet season.
Magnetic termite mounds
The park's magnetic termite mounds are thin and flat, and they are aligned north to south. This shape helps control their temperature by limiting exposure to the midday sun.
Cathedral termite mounds, which can reach several metres high, are also found in the park.
Litchfield is popular as a day trip from Darwin. Its sealed roads make it more accessible than Kakadu.
The park was declared in 1986 and is named after Frederick Litchfield, a member of an 1864 Northern Territory expedition. Its campgrounds fill quickly in the cooler dry season.
Did You Know?
Litchfield's Lost City is a group of sandstone pillars resembling ruins.