Litchfield National Park

Litchfield National Park is an excellent day trip destination from Darwin. There’s lots to see and do so it’s worth spending a couple of days, or making return visits. You can stay overnight in one of the many accommodation options around Batchelor, or camp in the park.

You don’t need a permit to enter Litchfield National Park. If you’re looking to stay in one of the camping areas, you may need to pay a fee on site.

You’ll need to drive to get around Litchfield. We recommend hiring a car or taking a tour from Darwin. If you decide to drive yourself, keep in mind that some areas can only be reached by 4WD.

While you’re in the area, Berry Springs is less than an hour’s drive away and is a great spot to stop for a picnic.

Litchfield is a comfortable 90 minute drive south from Darwin along a sealed road. You can also base yourself in the nearby town of Batchelor, or drive north along the Stuart Highway from Katherine.

If you’d prefer to leave the driving to someone else, there are plenty of tour companies operating out of Darwin with regular trips to Litchfield.

Litchfield National Park is a comfortable 90 minute drive (115km) from Darwin on a sealed road. Don’t forget to stop for a rest and refreshments at the nearby town of Batchelor.

Litchfield is a great place to visit for treks, tours, swimming and sightseeing. Popular attractions include the waterfalls at Wangi, Florence and Tjaynera/Sandy Creek Falls, take a dip at Buley Rockhole, or explore the Lost City by 4WD. Walk around the giant Magnetic Termite Mounds. If you're feeling really adventurous, take a helicopter tour and see the splendour from the air.

Bring a hat, water, sunscreen and insect repellant. A small first-aid kit can also come in handy.

The park’s swimming holes are fun for the whole family, so you may like to bring swimwear, towels, goggles, and an underwater camera. Make sure to only swim where signs indicate it’s safe to do so.

You can pack a picnic, or buy food in Batchelor and at Wangi Falls. Remember to bring a bag or two for your rubbish as there are no bins within the park.

The best time to experience everything that Litchfield National Park has to offer is May to October – the weather is dry and pleasant and all roads are usually open. Litchfield is generally accessible year-round, and there’s nothing like seeing the waterfalls in all their glory from November to April.

After Litchfield you can head east to Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land. Head north to Darwin and Berry Springs. Alternatively, head south to Katherine, where you can explore Nitmiluk National Park and Nitmiluk Gorge.