The 14 best things to do in Litchfield National Park, plus where to stay

If you’ve ever been awestruck by the rugged beauty of the NT, it’s highly likely that you’ve been looking at a picture of Wangi Falls. The most popular swimming spot in Litchfield, you can only dip here during the dry season, as strong currents and crocs can come by in the wet. If you do come by during the wet, the falls (at their thundering, wonderous best) are still worth a look. Accessible by car on the western boundary of the national park, Wangi Falls is a 1.5-hour drive from Darwin. Surrounded by a lush picnic area, monsoon rainforest and gorgeous walking tracks, this very special spot is perfect for a spectacular freshwater swim that will (probably) make you feel like you’re on the front page of National Geographic. 

Again, if you want a primo Instagrammable experience that simultaneously makes you feel like you’ve transcended reality, the gentle three-tiered waterhole at Buley is one for you. Imagine an opalescent series of freshwater pools set into deep orange rock, surrounded by lush green rainforest. Open pretty much year-round, this swimming hole is special no matter the time of day. 

Reaching this hidden gem requires a bit of effort, but it’s worth every step. The breathtaking waterfall, known as Tjaynera or Sandy Creek Falls, is tucked away and accessible only via a stunning 1.7-kilometre hike past hills dotted with cycad palms. Far more than just a sandy creek, this epic waterfall boasts a refreshing plunge pool that you’ll often have all to yourself. To get there, you'll need to cross a fairly deep creek, so be aware that access is only possible with a 4WD and is closed during the wet season.

Fuel up for all your Litchy adventures at Kin Coffee and Goods, the area’s first espresso bar and gift shop. Opened in 2023 by the Latham family, who also run Hideaway Litchfield, this cute café is just three kilometres from the Cascades and eight kilometres from Wangi Falls. Start your day with hot coffees, pies and toasties, or cool off with refreshing mango smoothies and fruity icy poles. While you’re there, stock up on locally sourced treats, browse the adjacent (and air-conditioned) gift shop full of jams, jewellery and artworks, and soak up the sunshine outdoors. Kin is open Friday to Tuesday from 8-4pm.

In a land so vast and ancient, it's impossible to discover all of its secrets. But with Northern Territory Indigenous Tours, you’ll uncover far more than what’s visible to the eye. In a tiny and intimate group led by Tess and her team of local Indigenous guides, you'll be taken deep into sacred country in Litchfield. You’ll see waterfalls, rainforests and stones that all carry their own vast stories; swim in clear, croc-safe natural swimming pools; and feast on crocodile, kangaroo and fresh, wild-caught barramundi for lunch. Expect to hear hidden stories, walk through Tess’s family’s own country, get up close to the magnetic termite mounds, and discover a whole lot more magnificence in what is already a deeply spectacular place. 

National parks are all about day walks for a reason, and Litchfield is no different. You’ll need a car to access pretty much all of them (and you’ll also definitely need a Park Pass to get in at all), but most of the walks are fairly manageable. You can do a pretty one-kilometre stroll to Shady Creek and Florence Falls through monsoon forest to a plunge pool, or step it up a notch with an easy 3.2-kilometre walk along Florence Creek, ending with a dip at the beautiful Buley Rockhole. If you like spectacular waterfall views, do the 1.6-kilometre return Tolmer Falls hike – but be warned, there’s no swimming at this one.

You can also do some more walking and/or waterfall viewing (but no swimming) with a 1.6-kilometre loop to Wangi Falls, while the more intrepid can attempt the 39-kilometre Tabletop Track. This bad boy is for experienced hikers only, and traverses savannah woodlands, waterfalls and swimming holes. You can do it solo over three to five days, or, if you’d rather a bit more of a walking safety net, you can go in with a Litchfield Tabletop Tour. 

Swimming is a big deal in a state that offers so few safe options, and it’s an even bigger deal when the vibes are this good. The Florence Falls waterfall is a cascading masterpiece that plunges down into crystal waters that you can swim in all year round. With a viewing platform located just a three-minute walk from the carpark, this is a fabulous and accessible day trip option for explorers in the NT. If you’re keen on swimming, walk down a one-kilometre, moderate-grade track through rainforest and sandstone plateaus, with the plunge pool at the end a welcome reward for all your hard efforts. 

With 1500 square kilometres to explore, Litchfield can be wonderfully overwhelming with its endless array of things to do and see. You can tailor your own Top End adventure or leave your itinerary to the pros at Cyaround Australia Tours, who run custom, private day or multi-day 4WD tours. Jack, your seasoned guide and all-around legend, will take you off the beaten path to his favourite hidden gems, like Tjaynera Falls, and join you for a splash at all the popular waterfalls too. Along the way, you’ll learn fun facts about native flora and fauna, and hear stories about the ancient culture surrounding this land, making for an absolute ripper day. 

If you need some peace and quiet after splashing out at Waangi Falls or Buley Rockhole, take a 15-minute drive down the road to Tabletop Swamp. Here, you’ll find plenty of shaded and secluded benches perfect for a picnic. You’ll need to bring all your own food and water, as there are no shops or cafés in Litchfield National Park. You might even bump into the crew from Cyaround Australia Tours, who bring their guests here for a home-style packed lunch, featuring wholesome chicken and avocado salads, baked blueberry muffins and refreshing watermelon. 

Termites don’t always get a spectacular rap, but the Magnetic Termite Mounds spiking across Litchfield’s vast and empty plains are nothing short of magnificent. Over a century old, these massive termite-made structures strike an imposing and otherworldly figure in the most remote parts of the Territory. With some measuring more than four metres high, these temperature-regulated mounds have been intricately engineered to be like magnetic compasses, with their thin edges pointing north and south, and their broad backs directing east and west.

Keen on feeling like you’ve stumbled into a magical ruined city in the middle of the bush? Go no further. These glorious free-standing sandstone towers are estimated to be more than 500 million years old (so, no spring chickens), and look set to dazzle with their intricate and towering formations that look like the ruins of an ancient city. Spread over an area as large as a small town, these towers are only accessible by 4WD, and shouldn’t be attempted by anyone who isn’t experienced in handling rocky conditions. Note: Access to The Lost City is closed during the wet season.

If you’ve come to the Northern Territory for epic views, this one’s for you. Tolmer Falls is one of the most stunningly spectacular waterfalls in Litchfield, and you can gaze at its magnificence from two viewing platforms suspended high above. You can do a short loop walk to the viewing platforms, or take the path less trodden with a 1.6-kilometre loop track that winds past gorgeous swimming holes, rainforest and sandstone country. Sadly, you can’t swim at this one – but sometimes, it’s nice to look and not touch.

If you’re in a particularly flush financial place – or just want to splurge on a life experience that you most certainly will not forget in a hurry, look no further than a helicopter tour with Nautilus Aviation. Departing from Darwin Airport, this day trip will take you soaring above the vivid valleys, thundering waterfalls and lush gorges of Litchfield National Park. You get to land on top of a pristine private waterfall at Sandy Falls for a private swimming sesh, far away from other people. After you’ve dipped in crystal clear waters, sunbaked on red rocks and felt the green quiet of the bush, you will get an airborne ride to the super luxurious five-star Finnis River Lodge for a bougie, chef-prepared lunch that will have you pinching yourself.

If you haven’t ridden on an airboat in the remote wetlands of the NT, you don’t know what you’re missing. Imagine flying – (yes, really, truly flying) over bright purple and magenta lotus flowers, gliding past tiny birds hopping across lily pads so big they can house a whole bird family, and soaring over the surface of glistening water bursting with verdant life. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a croc. 

This very special experience was full of wild stories, we got to wear a water lily pad as a very effective hat, and felt like we were airborne without really leaving the ground. If you rock up with the aforementioned Nautilus Helicopter tour, this will be your post-lunch activity.