6 Best Things to Do in Litchfield National Park
Planning to visit Litchfield National Park? Whether you’re looking for the best things to do on a day trip from Darwin or you’re putting together a longer Top End itinerary, this guide to Litchfield National Park has you covered. From cooling off at a popular swimming spot to admiring stunning waterfalls, exploring scenic walking trails, or tackling a 4WD track, there’s no shortage of incredible experiences waiting for you. In this guide, we’ve rounded up the six top things to do, including iconic attractions like Tolmer Falls and crystal-clear plunge pool swimming areas. We’ll also cover what you need to know about the NT parks pass and whether joining a tour from Darwin is the best way to experience this spectacular national park.
Want to know all about planning your trip to Litchy? Scroll to the bottom of the post to see which site locals use to book hotels, where trusted travelers book tours, and how to find the best flight deals. Or Click Here to be taken there now.
Buley Rockhole
One of the best things to do in Litchfield National Park, Buley Rockhole is a must-see. What makes it so special? You can take a swim in a natural freshwater swimming pool at Buley Rockhole. With multiple waterfalls and swimming holes, it is easy to find an unoccupied area for your party. To get to this gorgeous location, drive 2 km on Buley Florence which is a road of Litchfield Park Road. Then take a left on to Buley Rockhole toward the car park. Keep all glassware in the car, as glass is not permitted near the water.
Best Buley Rockhole Tours:
Wangi Falls
Wangi Falls is another serene location that is open for tourists and visitors to swim, picnic and relax. Wangi Falls also has a campground for visitors to stay at. A reservation is required if you are interested in camping. The Wangi Falls cafe is located in the same area and has coffee and a couple of food options. To get to the car park it is a short 1.6km drive that is accessible by all vehicles. Accessible year-round, this waterfall is a top thing to do in Litchfield National Park for all types of travellers. However, swimming may not be permitted during the wet season due to the water levels and flooding.
Best Wangi Falls Tours:
- 3-Day Darwin to Alice Springs Tour
- Litchfield Waterfall Tour
- Kakadu Katherine Gorge Litchfield 4WD Camping Adventure 5 Day – Safari Tent from Darwin
Read More: Breathtaking Beauty: Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park
Florence Falls
Another top thing to do in Litchfield National Park, Florence Falls is the perfect place to cool down on a hot day. Florence Falls is a short walk from the car park. Interested in camping at the falls? Separate camping grounds are available for 2WD and 4WD and are only a short 2 km drive from the actual falls. This location is further up the road from Buley Rockhole. Rather than taking a left onto Buley Rockhole, continue onto Florence Falls Road to reach your destination.
Best Florence Falls Tours:
Read More: Florence Falls: Litchy’s Hidden Oasis of Tranquility
Follow Us
Get your daily fix of Litchfield National Park by following us
Join our Newsletter List
Be the first to get travel hints and local recommendations.
Termite Mounds
The Magnetic Termite Mounds are a collection of termite mounds that share a similar rectangular shape to one another, with the two shorter sides pointing north and south. These fascinating mounds were created by termites as a ventilation and a residential system. They are made out of sand and termite feces/saliva, and some are around 3 metres tall! The termite mounds are accessible year round and by any kind of vehicle. To reach the mounds, drive a short 230 metres off Litchfield Park road, where there is free car parking.
Best Termite Mounds Tours:
- 3-Day Darwin to Alice Springs Tour
- Litchfield Day Tour
- Litchfield National Park + Croc Cruise from Darwin
Read More: Magnetic Termite Mounds: Nature’s Architectural Marvels
Cascades
The Cascades is wide lava rock with a water flow that creates swimming pools. It is divided into the Upper and Lower Cascades. The Upper Cascades are perfect for lounging around as they are known as a natural spa, whereas the Lower Cascades are more suitable for swimming since the rock pools are deeper and include waterfalls. It’s one of the top things to do in Litchfield National Park if you’re looking for a bit of adventure. The Cascades are only accessible through 2WD and are a 1.7 km walk from the car park. The Lower Cascades are inaccessible during the wet season. However, the Upper Cascades are open year-round.
Best Cascades Tours:
Read More: Litchfield National Park’s Best-Kept Secret: The Spectacular Cascades
The Lost City
The Lost City is a unique collection of sandstone structures that appear man-made. The Lost City is a great attraction for taking pictures. The road to access The Lost City is 10 km long and only accessible through 4WD. It is a difficult drive and is regularly inaccessible during the wet season. However, once you reach it, there is a 0.4 km walking loop that takes you around the structures.
Getting to Litchfield National Park
The drive from Darwin to Litchfield National Park takes around 90 minutes to two hours, making it one of the Northern Territory’s most popular day trips.
Sealed roads provide easy access to the park’s main attractions, allowing you to comfortably visit many of the highlights in a single day.
Whether you’re driving yourself or joining a guided tour, you can experience our list of the top six spots, from spectacular waterfalls and scenic lookouts to crystal-clear swimming holes and walking trails. If you have extra time, consider staying overnight to enjoy the park at a more relaxed pace and discover even more of what Litchfield has to offer.
With its breathtaking landscapes, refreshing swimming holes, and easy access from the city, it’s easy to see why so many travellers choose to visit Litchfield National Park. Whether you’re exploring independently or joining a tour from Darwin, you’ll discover some of the best things the Northern Territory has to offer, from the towering cliffs of Tolmer Falls to peaceful plunge pool swims, scenic lookouts, and unforgettable stunning waterfalls. Use this guide to Litchfield National Park to help plan your adventure, purchase your parks pass before you go, and make the most of all the incredible things to see on one of Australia’s most popular day trip from Darwin destinations.
Have you visited any of these top things to do in Litchfield National Park? Comment below if you’ve been to Litchfield National Park and which locations you’d add to this list!
Get your daily fix of Northern Territory beauty by following @litchfieldnationalpark on IG or on FB here.
For even more Territory content (we can’t get enough) check out @northerhq on IG. Please sign up here to join our newsletter list to be the first to get travel hints and local recommendations.
Cover image by @marigold.media on IG.
Heading to the Litchy? Here’s What You Need to Get Started
Travel Insurance
Whether you’re from Australia or across the globe, it’s a great idea to get insurance to cover unexpected accidents or medical emergencies. Cover More is our favourite travel insurance provider to give us the peace of mind while heading to the outback.
Flights
For the best deals on flights, we recommend using Trip.com. It’s super easy to compare prices across different airlines and booking sites. We always find great options for trips, and it saves so much time and money!
Hotels
We always recommend using Booking.com for hotels. They have a variety of accommodation options and great filters to help you find the perfect place for your trip to Litchy. With amazing deals, a great loyalty program, and the largest selection of hotels and rentals, it’s our favourite place to book rooms.
Tours
Tours, either multi-day, half-day, or private excursions, are a great way to experience the NT. Viator has a great selection of activities to help you travel to Litchy and learn from locals.
Car Rental
If you're looking to rent a car to explore Litchy and the Territory on your own, we suggest checking out Budget. It’s so easy to compare prices and find the best option from their huge selection of cars. Or try Rentalcars.com to see cars from all rental companies in the NT.
National Parks Pass
If you live outside the NT and plan on visiting Litchy, you'll need a Parks pass. Choose from a day pass, a 2-week pass, 12-month pass, or family pass at NT.gov.au. If you're an NT resident be sure you bring your NT driver licence or proof of residency.
Sim Card
If you're travelling and need a reliable connection, We'd recommend getting an eSIM from Airalo. Choose from data only or cellular connection. It’s super convenient and helps you stay connected without the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or paying exorbitant fees to your wireless provider.
