Buley Rockhole Campsite, Litchfield National Park, NT

Day 128 – 24th June 2011
Buley Rockhole Campsite, Litchfield National Park, NT

This morning we drove to Bamboo Creek at the far end of the park to have a look at the ruins of the old Tin Mine. On our way back to the eastern side of the park we stopped at Walker Creek for a walk along the creek to a rock-pool where we went for our first swim of the day (3.5km return – 1h). Next we continued on to the Cascades, which is not listed on any of the park information so we reckon it’s a new area they’ve opened up to the public. We walked along the river to Curtain Falls and the upper pool which provided another great swimming opportunity (3.5km return – 1.5h). After lunch we visited Tolmer Falls where we did another short walk (1.6km loop – 45min) and had a look at Tabletop Swamp, before setting up camp at Buley Rockhole where we enjoyed another couple of swims in the pools in the afternoon. It’s 30 degrees here so these waterholes provide great ways to cool off.

Bamboo Creek Tin Mine

Walker Creek Rock-pool

Having a swim

Walker Creek walk

Walker Creek walk

Cascades walk

Cascades walk

Cascades

Curtain Falls

Upper pool at Cascades

Cascades

Now how do I get back to Andrew?

Tolmer Falls

Tolmer Falls walk

Tabletop Swamp

Tabletop Swamp

Buley Rockhole Top Pool


Wangi Falls Campsite, Litchfield National Park, NT

Day 127 – 23rd June 2011
Wangi Falls Campsite, Litchfield National Park, NT

After breaky we walked from Buley Rockhole (there was nobody around so great for taking photos) to Florence Falls via the Shady Creek walk (5km return – 2.5h). The plunge pool under the Florence twin falls is ideal for a quick swim to cool off. Back at the Buley campsite we had to go for another swim in the pools before we continued on to Greenant Creek for another walk to the Tjaetaba Falls (2.7km return – 45min). Next we drove to Wangi Falls to set up camp – you don’t want to set up camp too late as Litchfield is a very poplar park as not far from Darwin and all sealed roads. After lunch we relaxed at the campsite and late afternoon we went for a walk to see the falls and did another short walk (1.6km loop – 30min). Unfortunately the Wangi plunge pool is still closed so no swimming allowed, but there are showers at this campsite to freshen up.

Buley Rockhole, Litchfield NP

Buley Rockhole, Litchfield NP

Florence Creek

Shady Creek walk

Shady Creek walk

Florence Falls

Florence Falls

Florence Creek

Florence Falls Lookout

Florence Creek Cascades

Enjoying a massage

Tjaetaba Falls

Tjaetaba Falls

Wangi Falls

Wangi Falls


Buley Rockhole Campsite, Litchfield National Park, NT

Day 126 – 22nd June 2011
Buley Rockhole Campsite, Litchfield National Park, NT

This morning we had a look at the remains of the Fenton WWII airfield. Afterwards we continued on along Dorat Rd (the old highway) - a bit of a roller coaster ride but nice scenery. We stopped at Robin Falls where a short walk took us to a very beautiful waterfall – would also be a great place to camp. At Adelaide River we visited the War Cemetery and Railway Museum, which acts as the local information centre and also displays a lot of history on the activities during WWII in the area. We stopped at Batchelor, gateway to Litchfield NP, to get some more information before entering the park. We set up at Buley Rockhole campsite and had a refreshing swim in the pools of these horizontal cascades – a popular swimming spot so it was very crowded. 


Fenton Airfield

Fenton Airfield

Robin Falls

Robin Falls

Lots of birds attracted by the burning

Adelaide River War Cemetery

Adelaide River Railway Museum

Adelaide River Railway Museum

Buley Rockhole, Litchfield NP

Enjoying a swim at Buley Rockhole

Enjoying a swim at Buley Rockhole

Douglas River Esplanade Conservation Area, NT

Day 125 – 21st June 2011
Douglas River Esplanade Conservation Area, NT

In the morning we had a look at the historic Springvale Homestead, the oldest cattle station in the Northern Territory. After shopping and refuelling in Katherine we drove to the Douglas River Esplanade CP. Unfortunately the nearby Tjwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs Park and Butterfly Gorge Nature Park were still closed, as they seem a great place to camp and relax. Instead we went for a walk along the Douglas River to view “The Arches” and rapids.

Springvale Homestead

Water lilies

The Arches, Douglas River Esplanade

Swimming Waterhole at Douglas River Esplanade

Rapids

Andrew waiting to catch the branch left
in the tree after the wet season

Our campsite near the river