The Ultimate 2WD Guide to Litchfield National Park

Planning a road trip to Litchfield National Park? Here’s everything you need to know from accomodation to things to do.

Litchfield National Park is a favourite of the national parks in the NT. It’s home to many waterfalls, cascades, beautiful hikes, unique rock formations and termite mounds. And better yet, it’s free! Unlike other spots around the top end, Litchfield National Park is super accessible via 2WD so no matter your mode of transport, you’ll be able to make the most of this spot.

This national park is a must-stop on your big lap of Australia or even just your travels to the top end. There are heaps of tours available from Darwin. But if you’re wanting to do this national park yourself to make sure you see all the sights and get the most out of your days, this article will highlight the spots you don’t want to miss!

Book It Now: Litchfield National Park Tour: Full Day & Lunch from Darwin

Table of Contents

Getting To Litchfield National Park

The park is approximately 120km south of Darwin and will take you about 90 minutes depending on where you’re wanting to get to in the park. The amazing thing about this National Park is just how accessible it is. The main areas of the park are all sealed with really good roads.

There are some areas which are 4WD only such as Central Valley and the Lost City. Although these spots are still beautiful, you can still get so much out of the park without a 4WD and not feel like you’re missing out.

Entry Fee

To visit Litchfield National Park, you’ll need a Parks Pass. You can get a day pass, a two week pass or a 12 month pass, and this will cover you for most National Parks and Reserves in the NT (not including Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP). Click here for more information.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Litchfield National Park is between May and October – as this is the dry season, more of the walks, and all the roads and swimming holes are usually open. This is also the time of year when it isn’t too hot to explore the Northern Territory. However, since most of this National Park is sealed, it is generally accessible all year-round – and seeing the waterfalls flowing at full bore is also a sight to see.

Flying a Drone

At the time of writing this, you are allowed to fly a drone in Litchfield National Park so long as you follow the general CASA rules, and obtain a permit through the Northern Territory Parks and Reserves. Here is a link to more information: https://nt.gov.au/parks/permits-for-parks/permits-to-use-aircraft-and-drones-in-parks

Where to Stay in Litchfield National Park

There are a few different options to stay in Litchfield National Park. In terms of camping, there are the cheaper National Park spots as well as the standard caravan park type spots.

National Park spots:

Florence Falls Camp Ground
Wangi Falls Camp Ground

Caravan Park Style Camping:

Litchfield Tourist Park
Litchfield Safari Camp

Luxury Style Stays:

Hideaway Litchfield (Click To Book)

Our favourite option on our way out of Litchfield National Park, was staying at the Darwin River Tavern. They offered $10 unpowered camping with access to amenities (and free washing machines!).

>Click Here for Darwin Accomodation Options

Things To Do in Litchfield National Park

There are plenty of things to do at Litchfield National Park that are accessible via 2WD. There are heaps of walks, and many swimming holes. Listed below is some more information on all those spots!

Florence Falls

A popular swimming hole with a nearby campground, Florence Falls has a large swimming area beneath the falls. There isn’t much space to sit down and place your things, so more the kind of spot you go for a swim before going back to your camp. However, still a beautiful swim to cool down in the afternoon.

Walking to Florence Falls you can take the Monsoon Walk along the creek which is a 1km walk, or take shorter path that involves 160 steps down to the falls.

Buley Rockhole

Very close to Florence Falls, you’ll find Buley Rockhole. With a few different pools and little cascades to cool off in, it can be a very busy spot. We found it way too busy when we got here, however if you work your way UP the cascades, you’ll likely be able to find a spot a little more secluded.

Be aware that the rocks here can be very slippery!

Buley Rockhole NT Litchfield National Park

Tjaeteba Falls

Also referred to as Greenant Creek/Tjaetaba Falls, this spot was our favourite within the whole national park. It was a lot less busy than the others, though it also had a smaller swimming area.

Here there is a 2.7km hike through a rainforest creek area, then up over the falls where there is a small pool overlooking the falls. A beautiful, somewhat more hidden, gem within Litchfield National Park.

Wangi Falls

Wangi Falls is another one of those very popular swimming spots. Since there is a very large swimming area, it’s not too bad, but if you’re wanting to avoid the crowds, going early in the morning or later in the afternoon is recommended. There is also a campground located near here and a cafe (probably explains why it’s so busy).

The swimming area is super accessible, a short 200m walk from the carpark. You can also do the loop walk that takes you over the falls. It’s a 3km loop, or you can opt to do the first section of it to the treetop viewing platform where you’ll walk amongst the lush monsoon rainforest.

Note: If you swim right up to the falls on the left, there is a small swimming hole amongst the rock to the right of it.

Wangi Falls Litchfield National Park To Do

Cascades

This is another spot that is less busy than the popular Wangi and Florence Falls. Here you can do a hike to the upper cascades and then walk down the cascades back to the carpark. Or you can simply walk to the cascades directly and go for a dip in the various little areas that are suitable for swimming.

The bigger hike to the upper cascades is a 3.3km loop. A grade 4 hike. because of the uneven terrain and steps – but it’s not too difficult. Otherwise going directly to the creek is a 2.6km return walk, which is nice and shady most of the way.

Tolmer Falls

You’ll find a few walking tracks at Tolmer Falls – note: there are no swimming spots here. However, you can get a glimpse and a feel of the rock formations that would be at The Lost City which is a spot that is only accessible by 4WD. Large sandstone formations that give the impression of ancient city ruins.

The main viewing platform is a short 400m from the carpark, whilst the longer loop walk is 1.6km.