Top Things to Do in Litchfield National Park with Kids
Planning a family holiday to the Northern Territory? If you’re looking for a destination that blends natural beauty, adventure, and accessibility for all ages, Litchfield National Park ticks all the boxes. This guide will take you through some of the best things to do in Litchfield with kids, from safe swimming spots and easy walks to fascinating nature encounters that will keep little ones curious and entertained. We’ll also share our top family-friendly accommodation pick, plus helpful tips to make your visit smooth, safe, and memorable.
After hearing countless glowing reviews about Litchfield’s waterfalls, swimming holes, and termite mounds, we knew we had to pack up the car and head out to see it for ourselves. With its close proximity to Darwin (just a 90-minute drive) and a wide range of activities suited to families, Litchfield quickly proved why it’s one of the Top End’s most beloved destinations. Whether you’re travelling with toddlers or teens, there’s something here for every kind of young explorer and their grown-ups too!
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.
Camping at Wangi Falls
The base camp for us was Wangi Falls Campground. We prefer off-grid camping, and as a bonus, Wangi is relatively central to all the sights. Litchfield National Park has no rubbish bins, so you must be sure you capture all your rubbish and take it with you. There is a Toilet/Shower block here that is clean and tidy if needed.
Cost: It was $63 per/per night for a Family (up to 4 kids) for the National Parks Pass and Wangi Campground. Other optional pricing can be found on their website, including Croc safety and what’s open and closed in the park.
In our opinion, three nights in the middle of September with 40º+ days was just enough time to see a few sights and have more to return for.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Litchfield National Park
Swimming Adventures at Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole
On our last day in the park, we visited Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole, which are both considered top things to do in Litchfield National Park.
Florence Falls is a gorgeous double waterfall surrounded by monsoon forest. The falls cascade into a clear plunge pool that’s popular for swimming. Easily accessible via a short walk from the car park, it’s perfect for a refreshing swim and nature-filled visit.
For Florence Falls, we chose the short walk of 132 stairs and shared the falls with many people. Nonetheless, it was stunning here, and we still managed to find a little spot to swim by ourselves and even a splash underneath the waterfall for the kids.
We would highly recommend trying your luck at sunrise or sunset. But we chose to save the BEST for last: Buley Rockhole.
A Refreshing Dip at Surprise Creek Falls
The day was spent driving the corrugations, through the bull dust, driving along the tracks that were both open and some more tedious to navigate along with river crossings, the kids were forever spotting new things moving along the track.
There is a short walk to get to Surprise Creek Falls from the carpark and a little bit of a steep rock climb if you’re like us and choose to swim in the middle rock pool, but worth it as the kids loved jumping the rock jump to cool off, plus knowing there’s less chance of sharing the water with a reptile.
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Exploring Reynolds River 4WD Track
We ventured off for a day on the Reynolds River 4WD Track, which, let us tell you, did not disappoint! There is so much to see driving along here, and the places this track takes you that you would not usually be able to get to if you didn’t have a 4WD is something pretty special and worth exploring.
The magnetic and cathedral termite mounds are quite quirky and cool to see. They made our large 4WD look like a Hot Wheels car.
If you don’t have your own 4WD vehicle, join the Kurrindju 4WD Litchfield Adventure tour where everything is taken care of for you.
Buley Rockhole: A Family Favourite
Buley Rockhole was our absolute favourite spot and the most family-friendly. These Rock holes cascade down the rock edges, and with plenty of spots to choose from, you can either have some fun jumping into the deep spots or sit and relax in the shallows.
Buley Rockhole is great for kids because the rock pools vary in depth, allowing families to find shallow, gentle spots ideal for little swimmers. The water is usually calm, there’s easy access from the car park, and the surrounding area offers shaded spots for breaks—making it a fun, low-stress nature experience.
You always hear people say, “Save something to come back to for next time,” and we indeed have done just that. We recommend this site as one of the best things to do in Litchfield National Park with kids.
For more info, see our complete Buley Rockhole guide.
Our “Everydaze A Sunday” Journey
Check out our Socials for a more in-depth look at our trip through Litchfield National Park and other incredible places as we tour this place we call home.
We are Grant, Tamara, Bodhi (7), Kai (5), and Blaire (4), and we travel Australia full-time as “Everydaze A Sunday.” We document our journey, provide our children with a practical education like no other, and make the most of those 18 Summers they say you get with children before they grow up—for us, trying to live every day like Sunday.
Whether you’re planning a family day trip or a longer adventure, there are so many kid-friendly attractions and scenic spots in Litchfield National Park to explore. From a relaxing picnic by the crystal-clear pools to walking through the mysterious Lost City, every stop is an adventure waiting to happen. Little travellers will love the towering magnetic termite mounds, the splash-worthy falls at Tjaynera and Tolmer Falls, and the chance to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of the Top End. If you’re looking for a memorable way to visit Litchfield National Park with kids, this list will keep the whole family entertained and amazed.
Have you visited any of those spots in Litchy? We’d love your feedback on this page. Comment below if you’ve been to Litchfield National Park or visited one of these top locations! 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 photo by @everydazeasunday 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.
