Australia Travel Planner · Northern Territory

Litchfield for backpackers

Litchfield National Park is about an hour and a half south of Darwin and known for waterfalls with plunge pools, rock pools and huge termite mounds. Closer and easier than Kakadu. Here you'll find all the checked spots from our map with tips.

Location
About 120 km south of Darwin
Best time
May–October
Swimming
Only at designated spots
Entry
NT Parks Pass for visitors from outside the NT
Arriving

Getting there and best time to visit Litchfield

You reach Litchfield from Darwin by car in about an hour and a half via Batchelor. The main road in the park is sealed, and most swimming spots are reachable in a normal car. Without a car there are day tours from Darwin.

In the dry season from May to October most swimming spots are open. In the wet season many are closed because of flooding and crocodiles. At weekends lots of Darwin locals come — it's quieter during the week.

Sleep

Hostels and camping in Litchfield

Wangi Falls Campground: campground near Wangi Falls

A campground within walking distance of Wangi Falls.

Sleep · Camping · Litchfield NP · Price level $

Florence Falls Campground: campground near Florence Falls

A campground near Florence Falls.

Sleep · Camping · Litchfield NP · Price level $

Swim

Swimming and snorkelling in Litchfield

Florence Falls: twin waterfall with a plunge pool

A twin waterfall with a plunge pool, reached by stairs through the monsoon forest. Only swim when the spot is signposted as open — read the warning below.

Safety: Crocodiles can get into any waterway in Litchfield. Swimming spots are opened after checks and often closed in the wet season — the signs on site are binding.

Swim · Litchfield · Best time: May–October

Buley Rockhole: tiered rock pools

Tiered rock pools with a creek running through them — perfect for cooling off. Packed with Darwin locals at weekends, quieter during the week.

Swim · Litchfield · Best time: May–October

Views & photos

Lookouts and photo spots in Litchfield

Wangi Falls: big waterfall with a pool

A big waterfall with a pool and a loop walk through the rainforest. The pool is closed in the wet season because of crocodiles and opened in the dry season after checks.

Views & photos · Litchfield · Best time: May–October

Magnetic Termite Mounds: termite mounds aligned north–south

Flat termite mounds, all aligned exactly north–south so they catch as little sun as possible in the midday heat. A short boardwalk leads there from the car park. Good on the way in, in the morning.

Views & photos · Litchfield · Best time: morning

Tolmer Falls: waterfall with a viewing platform

A waterfall with a viewing platform; swimming is prohibited here. A loop of about one and a half kilometres leads to the lookout.

Views & photos · Litchfield · Best time: afternoon

Everyday & van

Everyday life and van in Litchfield

Batchelor: last town before the park

The last town before the park, with a shop and petrol station.

Everyday & van · Shop & fuel

Common questions

Litchfield for backpackers: frequently asked questions

Can you swim in Litchfield?

Yes, at spots like Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole — but only when they're signposted as open. In the wet season many are closed.

Do you need a 4WD for Litchfield?

No, the main road is sealed. Only a few side tracks need 4WD.

How do I get from Darwin to Litchfield?

By car in about an hour and a half, or on a day tour.

Next

Travelling on from Litchfield

All spots on the Litchfield map. Nearby: Darwin and Kakadu.

Updated September 2026. Checked against official sources and operator websites. Prices, opening hours and seasons change — check before you go.