An easy two hour drive south west from Darwin brings you to the expansive majesty of the Litchfield National Park. Closer and simpler to reach it is still often shunned in favour of the more well known Kakadu National Park, but word is spreading and more and more people are pouring in to visit its bizarre geological structures and powerful waterfalls. Most of the attractions in the park are accessible by two wheel drive vehicles on the sealed roads, which makes it a very popular day trip destination for visitors from Darwin. However, the size of the park and the variety of things to do and see make a two or three day holiday easily justifiable, and will let you appreciate the park more.

The gateway to Litchfield is the town of Bachelor, located just outside its entrance. Visitors going into the park should stop here and find out about camping permits, and pick up a map to guide them through the park. There is a range of accommodation here, mostly on the budget end of the price spectrum. Daytrippers can also refuel here and get some food, and perhaps while away some time in the Bird Farm or the Coomalie Cultural Centre.

One of the biggest pulls to the park are its impressive waterfalls. The rocky escarpment of the Table Top Range is crossed by creeks and rivers that descend down its steep slopes in a striking fashion. Wangi Falls are the largest in the park, and the most visited. The water crashes into a large plunge pool, sending up a fine spray that coats the thick green rainforest that surrounds the falls. After a heavy rain the amount of water pouring down is very impressive, and normally creates currents in the pool that prohibit swimming. There is an interpretative nature trail that gives good views of the falls, and informs you about the local flora and fauna. Wangi is a good place to base yourself in Litchfield, as there is a a large camping ground here with toilet and shower facilities. A small kiosk has limited supplies, and there are barbeque facilities here as well.

There are four large waterfalls in the Table Top Range that are rain fed, and in the monsoon season a spectacular volume of water crashes down the sheer rock faces. In the drier months they slow to a gentle flow, sometimes even drying up completely. Wangi is a spring fed waterfall, so it flows the whole year round. Another spring fed waterfall popular amongst visitors is Florence Falls. Here two seperate flows of water cascade into a large swimming hole. There is a camping ground here as well, and a walking trail will take you to lookout points that provide a birds eye view of the falls and the surrounding region. Peaceful and picturesque, many people stay here a night or two to unwind next to the water. Nearby is the famous Buley Rockhole, where the river flows through a series of small waterfalls that fall into small spa-like pools. The pools are perfect for swimming, and there is a lot of fun to be had in the fast flowing white water of the falls.

Litchfield is also home to some strange yet amazing structures that are testament to the power of nature. The Lost City, only accessible by four wheel drive, consists of tall purpendicular sandstone pillars that rise out of the earth in an eerie fashion. Carved out of the soft surrounding rock, these have been fashioned by the wind and the rain over thousands of years. They look like some sort of ancient skyscraper, hence the name of Lost City. Another attraction that looks similar to these, but at two metres high stand a lot smaller, are the magnetic termite mounds. Seventeen kilometres from the eastern boundary of the park, each of these tall pillar like anthills is a creative wonder, with tunnels, nurseries, chimneys and insulation. They have been aligned from north to south to minimise exposure to the sun and create optimum conditions for the termites to live in. There is a boardwalk that allows you to get close to these amazing anthills without damaging them.

Amongst natures beauty there is also a reminder of the tough conditions the pioneers of the region faced, in the form of the Blyth Homestead. These are the ruins of an abandoned homestead, and are a powerful illustration of how remote and inaccessible life was for our forefathers. There are also ruins of tin and copper mines at Bamboo Creek tin mine, which operated for many decades before closing down in the fifties. What is left is still in a fairly decent condition.

Litchfield Park used to be the Northern Territories best kept secret. The secret is out though, and now over a quarter of a million people visit it annually. The geological beauty of the rugged landscapes, the dense flora and the varied fauna means very few of them leave the park disappointed. So next time you are in Darwin or its surrounds, a few days in Litchfield are absolutely essential. A hirecar will give you the freedom to explore the park, and if you want to go to its far reaches then a four wheel drive is in order.

Gavin Wyatt is a journalist with a passion for travel. originally from Zambia he has traveled around the world to end up on the sunny shores of Australia. For more of his articles visit Northern Territory Car Hire