Litchfield Park

LITCHFIELD PARK NORTHERN TERRITORY

FRIDAY 29
Of to Litchfield Park today, a longer day than most we have had. Nothing much changes but we did see some Jabiru standing in a puddle at the side of the road. They are such beautiful birds.

SATURDAY 30
Time to go exploring, so with map in hand off we went on the bike. We decided that we would start at the far end of the park and visit the Bamboo Creek Tin Mine first. It was interesting to see some of the old equipment and buildings still standing although in neglected condition. We marvelled at the logistics of getting some of the extremely heavy equipment to the mine site which was on the side of a hill and they had to cross swampy areas.

Residence at Tin Mine

From here we travelled to Walker Creek which has overnight camping up the walk trails. Crossed a stream and on up the hill to find a camp site. Ages later found the first one and decided the other 5 could remain undiscovered. The stream was lovely and meandered down the slopes, so peaceful. At one stage Mike and John spotted a Goanna sun baking on a rock but at the appearance of these two men poor thing jumped into the river a swam away.

Walker Creek

Stranger swimming at Walker Creek

The last stop today was at Wangi Falls, the main attraction in the park. What a magnificent waterfall display and Mike even managed a swim below the falls with plenty of other people present. It is full on school holidays for every state and it appears that most of Victoria and NSW are here in the Top End.

Wangi Falls

Called in at the Magnetic Termite mounds on the way out of the park. Quite an amazing construction,clever little insects.

Usual Termite Nest

Magnetic Termite Nest

After such a long day on the bike headed for home and Happy Hour.

SUNDAY 1. July
A new month starts.

MONDAY 2
Today we visited the other attractions in the park, more waterfalls.
Tolmer Falls was our first visit for the day. Not a spectacular waterfall but a very long drop from top to bottom.

Tolmer Falls

Florence Falls was next on the agenda. A fantastic spot with 135 steps down to the pools. There was a draw back, so many people and very little area to sit down. Trysha and John found a rock to sit on but we had to cross some water and guess what, yes I stepped into the water and ended up with wet shoes and socks. Oh well it could have been worse some people got very wet. This is quite an amazing waterfall and pool, And fortunately forums there was an alternate route back tote carpark through a fantastic woodland forest with a rippling stream and lots of birds. So peaceful walking along the stream.

Florence Falls

Buley Rockhole was next and this was a series of large rock pools each with a deep pool and lots of people in each pool. A magnificent sight.

Buley Rockholes

On the way home we discovered some more magnetic termite mounds out in the bush so off we went to get some close up views little thinking that burnt bush makes a mess of wet soxs and shoes. Oh well too late I Realised the state of my shoes.

Magnetic Termite Nest (Taken from North)

From North-West

Terry and Lorraine arrived back from their camping trip and we had met up with a Donnybrook couple, Bill Hamlet? So the eight of us had a extended happy hour. It is really great when you meet up with nice people.

TUESDAY 3
Terry and Lorraine, Bill and wife all left today and we cleaned up and packed up ready to leave for Darwin in the morning.

WEDNESDAY 4
Look out Darwin here we come.