Top Swimming Holes in Litchfield National Park to Cool Off
The Northern Territory has some incredible bucket list National Parks and our favourite by far would have to be Litchfield. Think epic natural water park – so many crystal clear waterfalls, waterholes so deep they look bottomless, natural spas, beautiful bush landscape and some epic camp spots too.
We didn’t have many preconceived expectations heading into the park, we hadn’t done too much research before arriving, but we can safely say that it did not disappoint and in fact is one of our favourite National Parks on our entire Australia road trip so far.
Ready to dive in? Our list of the best swimming holes in Litchfield National Park will guide you to the most refreshing spots with crystal-clear waters.
Florence Falls
We stayed at the camping available nearby so it was a short walk for us to the spectacular Florence Falls. Water cascades down into a beautiful fresh water plunge pool and we took our inflatable float ring with us so we could float around all afternoon just soaking everything in. If you’re visiting for the day, it’s an easy walk from the car park to the scenic viewing platform high above the falls and a moderate grade walk to get to the falls themselves. Sunrise or sunset are the best times to visit to beat the crowds and have this gem all to yourself.
Buley Rockhole
We had heard Buley Rockhole was a great place to wind down after a day of exploring, but Nick and I decided to visit at sunrise and we were not disappointed. We were the only ones here for the first few hours and it was absolute magic (after 9am the crowds started to roll in). We spent the morning wading through all the different pools at this popular swimming hole in Litchfield National Park, absorbing the bush surrounds and taking in the sounds of nature, it was truly one of those special moments in our life that I know we will look back on as one of the best for years to come.
Cascades
We would never have visited Cascades if it wasn’t for chatting to a fellow traveller who recommended we visit. Cascades is divided into two sections, upper and lower, and both are worth a visit. The walk to get here was a little more difficult, quite rocky and steep in places, but as long as you’re prepared for the hike (take lots of water, and wear appropriate shoes) it’s well worth it.
We hit the upper Cascades first and even in the middle of the day which we thought would be a peak time for visitors we had this place mostly to ourselves. We spent hours hopping from water hole to water hole feeling at times like we were in a natural day spa.
A Must-Visit
There are so many more swimming holes in Litchfield National Park and other beautiful natural wonders that we didn’t get a chance to see. We were on a bit of a time limit as we had our puppy Quinn in baby sitting due to there being no dogs allowed in the National Park. This is an absolute must see if you’re in the top end and definitely on our top 10 bucket list spots in all of Australia.
Whether you’re seeking adventure or a tranquil escape, the best swimming holes in Litchfield National Park offer something for everyone. So pack your swimmers and experience the park’s picture-perfect natural wonders!
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.
