20 - Litchfield National Park

15– July 2016 - 15/7/16

With the alarm set for sunrise at 7am we were travelling by 7.15am, so early for us. Breakfast was to be when we arrived at one of North Territories much publicised ‘must do’ locations to spend a few days at Litchfield National Park. 

Over the last couple of months we had been hearing a lot of frustration from other travellers who had been unable to obtain a camp site at Litchfield N.P. after travelling quite a distance to this location. Two other campgrounds in the national park had been closed for the season and the main campground at Wangi Falls was unable to cater for the increased volume of travellers seeking a camp site. 

Adding to the congestion school holidays was upon us (school holidays for 4 weeks in July which also coincided with the middle month of the designated 3 months of the peak tourist season in the Northern Territory) creating even more pressure on the camp ground. 

We had assessed our best option was to queue up early in the morning waiting for camp sites to become vacant from exiting campers and hopefully obtain a site under the present regulations without a booking system where late arrivals are less likely to find a site. 

The last 60 kilometres from the township of Bachelor we were starting to feel a little anxious as there hadn’t been one vehicle travelling in the opposite direction from Litchfield NP. About 5 minutes from our destination a couple of motor homes and one small caravan travelled past us in the opposite direction easing our tension. 

Our time of arrival at 9.30 am just happened to coincide with 3 available camp sites. We managed to reverse into the easier looking entrance with millimetres to spare. Looking at one another we had huge smiles on our faces. We made it and we got a camp site! And yes the place was packed.

Our camp location at Wangi Falls - Litchfield N.P.

 Once our camp was set we decided to put breakfast off for a bit longer as we “just had to” go for a walk to inspect the much publicised Wangi Falls located about 300 metres from the camp ground. It looked simply stunning with a couple of spectacular looking waterfalls dropping into a large water hole which looked so inviting. The water hole was crowded with people and at the two water entry points there was a large congregation of people looking on, making it difficult to enter or exit the water. We had heard the better times to go for a dip was before 10 am and after 3 pm to avoid the daily blitz period of tourist buses converging at the falls.

Wangi Falls viewing platform

Breakfast was consumed at lunch time and we did have a smallish afternoon siesta before immersing our bodies into the waters of Wangi Falls. There was the initial slight chill effect when entering the water (something to do with hot bodies created by 34 C day time temperatures) which quickly changed to a comfortable level where our bodies were soothed by the water for about 90 minutes floating around admiring the charming setting.

Crowded at the water entry point - Mary with red hat

The water felt quite soothing

Two water falls at Wangi Falls

 Springs keep the water flowing all year at Wangi Falls, compliments of the sandstone tabletop plateau which acts like a giant sponge absorbing wet season rains and then slowly releasing the water over the dry season. 

We found ourselves participating in up to three sessions in the water each day, spellbound by the incredible panoramic landscape setting around us whilst floating in the comforting waters. 

We had arrived on a Thursday and almost instantly felt an atmosphere of serenity envelope our souls to the degree it wasn’t until the following Monday we managed to motivate ourselves to jump in our vehicle to get out there and spend time exploring some of the many other attractions on offer at Litchfield National Park. 

The early 19^th century Bamboo Creek Tin Mine short walk was interesting.

Tin mine crushing plant

Walker Creek trail followed the creek with 8 walk in camp sites strategically located alongside of the creek at locations with water holes creating an almost private oasis at each camp site.

Campsite 3 private water hole

After spending time exploring other areas of the National Park it seemed natural, each time we returned to our camp at Wangi Falls to participate in another dip, finishing off our day in a delightful way. Other times when we should have been exercising but couldn’t resist the waters of the Wangi Falls pool we had been supplementing our exercise needs with some aqua aerobics shown to us by Chris at Home Valley Station keeping our bodies in trim or should we say it was that psychological thing? 

The Cascades was another great walk following along the edge of another permanent flowing water course with some sections amongst the thick monsoon forest. There were many gradual water falls cascading over steps of the rocky outcrops with one section given the name of “Curtain Falls.”

The Cascades walking track

 We scampered along these rocky outcrops for a couple of kilometres mesmerised by the continual flow of water, streaming across the rocky outcrops with many different sized ponds along the way.

Our Cascades day had been one of those rare times of overcast skies providing a more comfortable walking temperature where we were not overcome by the heat or humidity of the day. We continued scrambling along the edge of the water flow pushing our way through thick vegetation exploring way past the designated walking area of the Cascades. As a bonus we did have an enjoyable dunk in our own private pool.

Our own private warm pool

Looking opposite direction our own infinity pool

On posting this entry we had been at Litchfield N.P. for a week. It was such a charming location it was unquestionable another week would be most fitting.

At the campground there is no phone reception. The Northern Territory Government do provide a limited Wi-Fi service (can view our e-mails or other electronic communications) near Wangi Falls (what we would normally call, our “Telstra Hill”) which was available for about 6 hours each day when it was working. Unfortunately it was hit and miss where it was operational one day but non-operational the next.

It had been 12 days since our last food shop so we decided to drive to the township of Bachelor (about 65 kilometres one way) to obtain fresh food and post this entry.