Day 14 (4 May) – Darwin

Today was our spare day in getting to Darwin so we decided to do a trip to Litchfield National Park about 80km south of Darwin.  This whole stretch of road was airstrips during World War 2 and Bachelor was where North West Area Command had it’s Headquarters.  Actually, it was at Coomallie Creek which is closer to the highway.  Coomallie Creek airfield was on the other side of the Stuart Highway and they flew Hudsons, Spitfires and Beaufighters from that airfield.  Unfortunately, the airfield is now private property and you need permission to get on it.  There are no remnants left of the Headquarters.

Litchfield has a number of waterfalls, some of which you can swim in.  The first sight we came across on the way into the Park was these giant termite mounds.

After that, further into the Park, was Buley Rockhole where you could swim.

Near there was Florence Falls which also has a swimming hole but is further to walk to get to.

The trees around the valley were swarming with bats, making a terrible screeching noise.  It looked like a lot of black specks amongst the trees.

The highest falls, Tolmer Falls, were further into the Park but were just spectacular.  No swimming here though.  Too far into the valley.  But they had built a spectacular lookout with a sun shelter looking over the National Park and another lookout overlooking the falls.

Here is a picture for the funeral of me halfway up the hill, sweating profusely, walking back up to the car park.

There were some beautiful wildflowers along this path.  Bush Hibiscus.

The last lot of falls are Wangi Falls about 64km into the Park and the last one on the trail.  These are considered sacred by the local indigenous people so swimming is not allowed and also it says there are strong currents and the likelihood of crocodiles  Good thing there is a café there as we were staving by this time.  The falls are just stunning.

On the way back out we came across a ranger setting fire to the bush.  The indigenous people have been doing this for centuries as it regenerates the bush.

Back at the caravan park we turned on the caravan aircon as it was 34 degrees by this time.  Inside the van was over 40 degrees.  We (me) should have left it on when we left.  It was then into the Darwin wharf – Stokes Wharf.  They have a few cafés there so we had Barramundi and chips for dinner sitting out on the wharf in the late afternoon light.  Just gorgeous.

Helen’s Highlights/Minnie’s musings

Litchfield was a definite highlight of the day and it was beautiful seeing so many spectacular water falls in such a comparatively small area. Just annoyed that I did not think to put the swimmers in as it was very hot, and the water looked very cooling.

Stokes Wharf was as usual; busy as I am sure it is every night.

I find it quite off putting to see cars race past at the speed of 130km, which is the speed limit on the large highways.