Day 61 23/05/2011 Darwin to Litchfield National Park.

Day 61 23/05/2011 Darwin to Litchfield National Park.

With the groceries purchased and packed into the stimulus package caravan we left Darwin and headed for Litchfield NP arriving right on lunchtime.  We decided that we would base ourselves at Wangi Falls Campground.  Unfortunately the absolutely gorgeous waterhole was still closed due to the possibility of salt water crocodiles being present.  All we could do is look at the inviting water and then do the walk that took us up and over the falls.  So in search of a water hole we headed off to the Cascades.



Wangi Falls - plunge pool where we couldnt swim because
it hadnt been cleared for Saltwater crocodiles!!



At Cascades we had two options either the upper or lower cascades for a swim, so with bravado that I wasn’t feeling I suggested we do the 1.7km walk up to the upper cascades.  This was a rugged walk that took us up the side of the mountain through woodlands, when we eventually came upon the upper cascades we were sweaty and in desperate need of a swim. The upper cascades were beautiful and the water was an awesome temperature.  In the water we could see little fish and shrimps, which if you stood still long enough came over to explore your feet. We chatted with a couple who walked in after us and they advised that we could walk back via the creek to the lower cascades.



Upper Cascades, a very welcome swim
hole after the walk up a steep hill!!



On the walk back we were able to look into deeper crystal clear ponds seeing bigger fish, Zac was very excited but at last is understanding that you can’t fish in most National Parks!! We also climbed down the small but very pretty Curtin Falls and the kids had time for a quick dip in the plunge pool below the falls.  Unfortunately time got away with us and we needed to head back to the car before the sunset.

It was great to be back in a place where we could bush walk and explore, the kids ate their dinner without complaining and then crashed into bed!!

The kids even managed a dip in the plunge pool at Curtin
Falls!! its deeper than it looks