Lazing about in the luxurious waters of Litchfield.

Litchfield NP boasts stunning waterfalls, crystal clear swimming holes, huge termite mounds and monsoonal rainforest. It is extremely popular as it is only an hour from Darwin so we were so lucky to get a campsite in the one remaining camp ground (the others have been closed for upgrades). We stayed for 3 nights at the lovely Wangi Falls, which was only a few minutes from our camp. It is an exceptionally busy place but, as we were staying, we got to enjoy the falls and swimming hole to ourselves first thing in the morning and at dusk. We didn't shower for the time we stayed there preferring to cool off in the silky fresh water after dinner each evening. 

We did a few shorts walks but it was very hot so we preferred to float around in the swimming hole to keep cool. We checked out the other swimming holes at Florence Falls and Buley Rockholes and enjoyed a picnic lunch at a quiet creek but mostly we just went back and forth to Wangi Falls. We found a small rockpool where the water was coming straight from the inside the rocks (where it is stored in the wet season and flows out in the dry) and it was lukewarm and like a spa. We took the kids as close as possible to the waterfall but it was flowing so ferociously the current kept pushing us back. Daniel managed to go under but I could not get close enough. 

We had a lovely shady campground and both kids enjoyed collecting bush items to make their own little gardens. The bats all came out at dusk and the sky was alive with them screeching and gliding from tree to tree whilst kangaroos explored the camp areas once the sun was down. We had a really great three days and soaked up as much sun and warmth as possible in these final weeks of our trip.

The smaller waterfall at Wangi (there was a hole in the rock near the bottom that a small deep pool that was much warmer than the main pool).

One of the many spiders that created webs in the pandanas around the pool.

A walk to the top of the waterfall to see Wangi Creek.

Some of the spring water coming straight from inside the rock, the kids couldn't' resist a drink.

The impressive Wangi Falls, less than a 5 min walk from our campsite - we had an evening swim each night - divine!

Emilia and Daniel admiring the rock glowing in the setting sun (at dusk we often had the place to ourselves)

Jackson's turn for a shoulder ride - he fell in very quickly!

Emilia at Buley rock holes - a series of cascading swimming holes.

Another small swimming hole at Buley, the water was coming down pretty fast so they weren't in the waterfall long.

Florence Falls from above, we all enjoyed a swim with Daniel, Jackson and I going under the raging waterfall.

Our lunch spot near Florence Falls - the kids were enthralled by the fish (so easy to see in the crystal clear water).

Looking up the creek at our picturesque, and cool, lunch stop.

Those plaits were so hard to get out as she did so much swimming they were constantly wet then dry and they seemed to set in place. I took me about 30 minutes to get them out and brush the knots out!