Litchfield.....Land of the Falls !

Tues 4 - Thurs 6 July

The winter tropics pumped up the heat on our last night in Darwin and we had a pretty schmoking and somewhat restless night. Yet another lovely short run into the much anticipated Litchfield National Park made it an easy travel morning. We've heard some amazing reports from friends who have visited Litchfield over the last few years and it sounds like there are waterfalls and plunge pools everywhere! The one disappointing bit for Stu was he was hoping that the Reynolds River Rd might be open to drive south through the park...after a little false hope with one phone call...he spoke with one of the Litchfield Rangers and no it was closed for the foreseeable future :( 

On our way we found the Crazy Acres Mango Farm at Berry Springs. A 1200 mango tree farm where all the Mangoes they produce are value added. Mango Chutney, Ice creams, Frozen Mango cheeks, Mango syrup and a full kitchen for people to be able to come for breaky or lunch. It was a cute little spot and a definite family affair....and not to mention the fabulous Mango Smoothies we tasted too !! 

Rainbow Bee Eater

Wangi Falls

We arrived late morning to Wangi Falls - this was perfect timing as it's first in best dressed for camping spots and there was only 3 left ! So after a quick set up we adventured down to our first Litchfield Falls experience at Wangi ! It was absolutely stunning and another sensory overload visually to encompass and then of course the tourist crowds too (says she who is also a tourist) !! Holy cow there were hundreds down there - thankfully it was a large size plunge pool area with relatively easy access in and out. The best time we worked out was early morning before 9am or after 5.30pm - then it was perfection...still, quiet and nothing to hear but the falls, the kids playing and perhaps a few others enjoying this time too.   

Me and the Boyf

Part of the Reynolds River Rd to Sandy Falls

Red flowering Kurrajongs - one of my favourties through NT 

These cycads are only in Litchfield - beautiful silvery blue fronds

A mystery at the mo - so spindly and delicate

One of the plethora of Butterflies we all saw - gorgeous colours

Tjayanera Falls - Sandy Creek

Turkey Bush near Tolmer Falls 

Florence Falls

Magnetic Termite mounds

There was lots of walking on Wednesday around the Wangi Loop walk and to Sandy Falls, as well as a loop walk around Tolmer Falls too. The kids were stoked to get back and swim.....again at Wangi Falls after quite a hot day by our standards.

Our final stop in Litchfield was to Florence Falls early before breaky, where the kids had yes...another dip and then to view some incredible magnetic termite mounds that do actually look like tombstones. Amazing that they face directly north/south plus of minus 5 degrees so they can maintain constant temps of 30 degrees and constant humidity too - an amazing scientific feat really given they are blind as well !!

Tonight we are back at Mataranka, ready to head out the Savannah Way en route to Cairns where we shall pick up a VIP who is coming holidaying with us for a couple of weeks! It's hard to believe we are in week 5 already - and that we are all still talking to each other...great to be surviving and thriving well !!