During one week in the Aussie outback, I woke up for sunrise every day and made the most of my time in the red center. These are the adrenaline-filled adventures I got up to.

YELLOW WATERS SUNSET CRUISE

The sunset cruise on the Yellow Waters Billabong is probably one of the most popular things to do in Kakadu National Park. As dusk nears the wildlife around the billabong springs into life. A variety of bird species jump into action while snakes, spiders, and critters can be found in the trees along the banks. Water Buffalo and crocodiles are the big attraction of the show and we managed to record many sightings of both.

The sunset tour runs for about an hour and a half and crocodile sightings are almost guaranteed! We were lucky enough to have the sunset of the year the night we were on board or maybe it was just normal for Kakadu National Park.

HANGI LUNCH

We were lucky enough to visit Kakadu National Park during Taste Week and participated in a Hangi Lunch. Local indigenous landowners killed several buffalo and cooked them in a traditional Hangi. This involves digging a huge hole, burying the buffalo beneath a layer of coals, and essentially steaming the meat. It was an awesome experience and one of the most unique lunches I’ve ever had and one of the most unique things to do in Kakadu National Park.

GUNAWARRDEHWARDE ROCK ART AND VIEWPOINT

There are over 5,000 Aboriginal rock art sites in Kakadu National Park and there are some spectacular examples at Nourlangie Rock Area that depict lightning dreaming. We visited several throughout our visit to Nourlangie Rock and the surrounding area and enjoyed reading the explanation of the story and the images.

*There were things to do in Kakadu National Park that are among the most popular attractions to do in Kakadu National Park that I didn’t get to do. Normally, I only share the adventures I get up to myself. However, because of the end of the huge wet season, Jim Jim Falls and Motorcar Falls were closed. Therefore I will talk about them briefly here and I hope you can have the chance to visit these amazing spots. I will hopefully return during the right season.

MOTORCAR FALLS

A 7.5km trek will take you to the pristine Motorcar Falls where you can swim in the bottom pool. Along the walk, you can spot an abundance of wildlife as this is not a heavily trafficked spot and is one of the most beautiful things to do in Kakadu National Park.

JIM JIM FALLS

Jim Jim Falls can be found during a 2km return walk through a monsoon forest. The walk will take you into the wild and across boulders and finally lead you into a deep plunge pool. The waterfall is the biggest in Kakadu National Park at 200 meters high.

SCENIC FLIGHT OVER KAKADU NATIONAL PARK

A 60-minute scenic flight is one of the most popular things to do in Kakadu National Park. Not only is it a great way to take in the whole park, but it also lets you access areas that are otherwise closed. For example, when Jim Jim Falls is at its peak it is off-limits to tourists. Often it is also closed in the wet season before it can be checked for crocodiles and opened to the public.

Book a tour: 60-minute Kakadu Helicopter Flight

KAKADU NATIONAL PARK MAP

This article will be all about the epic things to do in Alice Springs but if you want to jump over to my other article about the things to do at Uluru you can click here.

This is a short video from my outback adventure.

Where to stay in Alice Springs

Desert Palms in Alice Springs is my #1 Pick. For just under $100 a night you get resort luxury with palm trees, a swimming pool and a private villa. Having a tropical resort like this really gives you a break from the outback heat and the fact that it doesn’t break the bank is awesome.

Check rates and availablity: Desert Palms Resort

Adventurous things to do in Alice Springs

Open-door Helicopter of MacDonnell Ranges

It was my first open-door helicopter ride and it lived up to my expectations. I thought a chopper ride in the desert might reveal a vast red plain but instead, we flew over the MacDonnell Ranges. We flew low over ridges as the sun, having just risen, clipped the ranges beautifully. Legs hanging out the door and the wind blowing my bandana off my head, this was one of the highlights of the trip and my favorite thing to do in Alice Springs.

Sunrise Hot-air balloon ride

High up in the air, floating over Alice Springs, watching the sunrise on the horizon from the comfort of our basket was the most majestic morning of my trip. If you are looking to take in Alice Springs and enjoy the desert experience this is one of the best things to do in Alice Springs. We left the hotel bright and early, bundled into our basket and off we went. We were blessed with a sunrise for the books and had a champagne in the middle of nowhere after a safe but rocky landing.

Book your tour: Alice Springs Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight

Earth Sanctuary Experience

The Earth Sanctuary boys are the most Aussie blokes on the planet. Three brothers run the Earth Sanctuary, which is a hub of amazing experiences. They have built an eco-village in the middle of the dunes just out of Alice Springs town. After 17 years they have grown their property to include an observatory, multiple eco-dome homes, restaurant and learning center. The boys have had their own television show, hosted celebrities and run tours showing their love of the land and educating visitors about its rich history. We enjoyed a three-course Aussie barbecue, tried out hand at making damper, spear throwing, looked at the moon through their telescope and learned about Aboriginal culture. If you are looking for an authentic experience this is definitely got to be on your list of things to do in Alice Springs.

You can visit the Earth Sanctuary website for more info and booking details by clicking here.

Things to do along the journey from Uluru to Alice Springs

In between Alice Springs and Uluru, there is actually a lot to see. I suggest spending one night near Kings Canyon. To get to Kings Canyon from Alice Springs you will need to take the shared shuttle bus unless of course, you have a private vehicle. The shared shuttle bus is very comfortable with A/C and spacious seating.

Book your ticket: Alice Springs to King Canyon Shared Shuttle Bus

Kings Canyon

Kings Canyon is one of the most famous spots in the Aussie outback. We had slept in the hotel nearby the night before and headed up to Kings Canyon early in the morning. The 45-minute hike leads you to a natural wonder. The canyon winds as far as the eye can see, eventually bending out of sight. This spot is out of this world during sunrise as the light slowly creeps through the canyon. We hung out here for hours marveling at the rock formations.

The Kings Canyon and Panorama Tour are one of the most popular tours in the Aussie Outback with hundreds of bookings every year. The tour actually begins with a hotel pickup from either Alice Springs or Uluru depending on which you booked. The tour begins with a breakfast at Kings Creek Station before the climb to the Canyon Rim of Kings Canyon. You then head to Canyon Resort to relax, have lunch and have a dip in the pool before.

Book your tour: Kings Canyon Panorama Tour

Cruising the Aussie outback roads

Part of the fun of the outback is cruising the red roads and leaving a trail of dust behind you. We threw up the drone and followed ourselves for a while in what felt like the middle of nowhere!

Ormiston Gorge

Ellery Creek is the Australian version of an Oasis. We left the red, dirt track and headed on a short stroll into the bush. All the while we walked alongside a sandy bank, wondering where this magical waterhole might be. Before we knew it, we had arrived at the outback beach! Sandbanks and gum trees surrounded a peaceful waterhole, which is a favorite of the locals from Alice Springs. A few mini-cliff jumps and antics at the waterhole before we had a serious chill in the sun made this one of my favorite moments of the trip.

The Pool to Pool tour takes you to all of the best watering holes in the outback in one day. Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, and Glen Helen all in one day on a guided tour from Alice Springs.

Book your tour: Pool to Pool tour – Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen

Glenhelen Camping Site and Waterhole

There’s no better way to experience the Aussie outback than to spend the night camping out after roasting some marshmallows on the bonfire. Glenhelen campground was a really comfortable way to get outdoors. The tents were already set up for us with electricity available and a bonfire. It wasn’t glamping but we certainly weren’t roughing it.

The beauty of Glenhelen is the waterhole. Only a couple of minutes walk from the campsite is one of the most beautiful waterholes in the country. Despite how amazing it is, we were the only people there to enjoy it! We found a rope swing along the sandy banks, enjoyed the epic reflections and I even found a couple of epic spots to do some cliff-jumping.

The Pool to Pool tour takes you to all of the best watering holes in the outback in one day. Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, and Glen Helen all in one day on a guided tour from Alice Springs.

Book your tour: Pool to Pool tour – Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen

Ellery Creek Big Hole

Ellery Creek is another epic waterhole on the journey from Uluru to Alice Springs. Huge cliffs on either side give an epic backdrop to a sandbar that juts out from the right side of the waterhole. We had a scenic picnic before having a dip in the chilly water, even finding some pretty gnarly spots to jump from.

The Pool to Pool tour takes you to all of the best watering holes in the outback in one day. Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, and Glen Helen all in one day on a guided tour from Alice Springs.

Book your tour: Pool to Pool tour – Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge, Glen Helen

My Photography Gear: Wondering what Camera and Photography Gear I take all my photos with while traveling around the world?  Click Here to view my detailed guide about all of the gear I use and recommend for travel photography!

MY FAVORITE KAKADU PHOTOS

We visited for a week and enjoyed beautiful viewpoints like Ubirr Rock Lookout and Nourlangie Rock Lookout and also experienced the Yellow Waters river with alligator tours and Barramundi Fishing.

These are my favorite Kakadu National Park photos from the week:

NOURLANGIE ROCK

HOW TO GET TO NOURLANGIE ROCK

Nourlangie Rock is in Kakadu National park, which is 253 kilometers east of Darwin. Sealed roads will take you all the way into Kakadu National park and you should allow 2-3 hours to reach the park from Darwin.

From the highway, you will need to take the turn off, which is 19 kilometers south of Bowali Visitor Center, and then continue on this road for 12 kilometers.

Nourlangie Rock is then a short walk up the escarpment. Along the way, you will pass several rock art sites, which hold significant historical and cultural importance.

KAKADU NATIONAL PARK TOUR FROM DARWIN

The best way to have a great experience visiting lots of the unique things to do in Kakadu National Park is on an organized tour run by a local expert guide. This specific tour includes pick up and drop off from your hotel in Darwin. The tour I am recommending to you takes you to all of the top highlights, including Nourlangie Rock, in Kakadu but also includes a Billabong Boat Cruise!

Book your tour: Full Day-Trip to Kakadu + Bonus Boat Cruise

Full-Day Trip Kakadu Tour

• Hotel Pick-up included
• Billabong Boat Cruise
• All Kakadu Highlights

Book tour

NOURLANGIE ROCK ART SITES

There are over 5,000 Aboriginal rock art sites in Kakadu National Park and there are some spectacular examples at Nourlangie Rock Area that depict lightning dreaming. We visited several throughout our visit to Nourlangie Rock and the surrounding area and enjoyed reading the explanation of the story and the images.

NOURLANGIE ROCK LOOKOUT WALK

We visited Nourlangie Rock twice. Once we visited during sunset and then we decided to come early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Both were immensely beautiful and the peaceful, quiet atmosphere in this area really gave you time to take it all in and appreciate the history, culture, and landscape of where you were sitting.

The walk up to the viewpoint from the parking lot takes about ten minutes and is mildly steep. Most tourists will be more than capable of this short walk. At the top, you have sweeping views of the Burrungkuy region. The scenes from the top are what Kakadu is all about for me. That vastness and almost prehistoric feeling hit you hard. It’s amazing to sit up here and think that the local culture is still alive after 65,000 years. Australia, as we know, has been formed for less than 200 years to put that into perspective.

These are the photos from our sunrise and sunset at Nourlangie Rock lookout:

WHERE TO STAY IN KAKADU NATIONAL PARK

I stayed at Cooinda Lodge and it was one of the highlights of the trip and incredibly well-organized accommodations as well as a tour operator. They are keen to show off all the things to do in Kakadu National Park, teach you about the local culture, and of course, make your stay the best they can.

Cooinda Lodge:  It is seriously the best place you can stay in Kakadu National Park for a few reasons:

• Firstly, you are in the outback and might expect some average food. The chef at Cooinda Lodge defies that and whips up some amazing dishes. He incorporates local ingredients like the crocodile, local berries and fruits, and of course barramundi into modern cooking.
• Secondly, the rooms are great. Kakadu National Park is great but it is damn hot. There is nothing better than coming back after a day of exploring all the things to do in Kakadu National park and enjoying an air-conditioned room, hot shower, coffee, and relaxing on a comfy bed.
• Thirdly, Cooinda Lodge is more than just an accommodation. It is the hub of lots of tours run by the same owner. They run the sunrise and sunset crocodile tours on the Yellow Water, which I did both of. I also did the sunrise barramundi fishing experience on the Yellow Waters and it was so stunning and peaceful in the morning. I also did a full-day waterfall tour of Gunlom and other secret waterfalls in the area.
• Fourth and final, you are nearby lots of attractions like Nourlangie Rock. If you have your own car you can explore on your own and enjoy the unique atmosphere of Kakadu National Park.

Cooinda Lodge

• Great Location
• Amazing Restaurant
• Swimming Pool

Check price

UBIRR ROCK IN KAKADU NATIONAL PARK

In this blog post, I’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Ubirr Rock.

HOW TO GET TO UBIRR ROCK LOOKOUT FOR SUNSET

Ubirr Rock lookout is located in the northeast section of Kakadu National Park and it is a region of the park rich in wildlife and also with many different Aboriginal rock art sites.

• Darwin to Ubirr Rock: Ubirr Rock is 253 kilometers from Darwin, which is the capital city of the Northern Territory and where we are based. You can access Ubirr Rock and Kakadu National Parks via sealed roads on the Arnhem Highway. It takes about three hours to reach Ubirr Rock from Darwin.
• Jabiru to Ubirr Rock: If you are already at Jabiru, the good news is you aren’t too far away. From Jabiru to Ubirr Rock it will take you about an hour to drive the 42 kilometers.

UBIRR ROCK ART CIRCUIT WALK

When you arrive you will find a parking lot. From here there is a 1-kilometer circuit, which leads you through several rock-art sites.  The rock art was distinctly different from many I had seen before. There were several alien-looking figures that guides had told us were bad people. Instead of dot painting, only many of the paintings had solid lines. With hundreds of different tribes across the country over thousands of years, it’s so intriguing to see the different styles and stories being told.

SANDSTONE & RIVER BUSH WALK

There is a longer option than the 1km circuit. It begins at the Bardedjildji walk and extends for 6.5 kilometers. Along the way you will have beautiful, scenic views of the East Alligator River, floodplains, billabongs, sandstone rock formations, and Cat Fish Creek. The hike can take anywhere from 3- 5 hours depending on your pace. You will definitely need to take water, snacks, and sunscreen for this mini-adventure.

UBIRR ROCK LOOKOUT IN KAKADU NATIONAL PARK

From the 1- kilometer circuit you can venture up further. On the way up the rocks, you will pass several more rock art sites. There is a defined trail and you are asked to stay on this trail to protect these important, sacred sites. There is plenty of exploring to do once you reach the top areas, so please stay on the trail as you make the ascent.

The climb up only takes about 10 minutes and is moderately easy. It is a bit steep but small steps and a defined path make the journey simple enough. Once you reach the first plateau you will get some epic views of the Nadab Floodplain. It looks like you are peering out over an African plain and I found myself waiting for an elephant or giraffe to pop out from behind a tree. The Floodplain seems to extend forever!

UBIRR ROCK LOOKOUT FOR SUNSET

Despite all of the intriguing rock art sites, it is the sunset that most tourists come to Ubirr for. As the sun begins to set a crowd assembles atop the Ubirr Rock to bring an end to the day. Northern Territory is known for its epic sunsets and especially for the red ball of fire. When the sun sets it isn’t blinding it is a fiery red ball, which you can seemingly stare directly at without being blinded. It’s like few places in the world.

The night we visited Ubirr Rock for sunset was a sunset to remember. After the official sunset time had passed and the sun had disappeared most of the tourists left. However, a few of us knew there could be more to come and we stuck around for the show of colors. It paid off as pastels began to float through the sky over the Nadab Plain.

Be careful because the ranger does come just after sunset to shut the gates to the parking lot so you cannot stick around too long unless you want to get locked in!

Also, remember you are on the land of the traditional owners. Show the ultimate respect for this land, which belongs to the oldest living society in the world.

WHERE TO STAY IN KAKADU NATIONAL PARK

I stayed at Cooinda Lodge and it was one of the highlights of the trip and incredibly well-organized accommodations as well as a tour operator. They are keen to show off all the things to do in Kakadu National Park, teach you about the local culture, and of course, make your stay the best they can.

Cooinda Lodge:  It is seriously the best place you can stay in Kakadu National Park for a few reasons:

• Firstly, you are in the outback and might expect some average food. The chef at Cooinda Lodge defies that and whips up some amazing dishes. He incorporates local ingredients like the crocodile, local berries and fruits, and of course barramundi into modern cooking.
• Secondly, the rooms are great. Kakadu National Park is great but it is damn hot. There is nothing better than coming back after a day of exploring all the things to do in Kakadu National park and enjoying an air-conditioned room, hot shower, coffee, and relaxing on a comfy bed.
• Thirdly, Cooinda Lodge is more than just an accommodation. It is the hub of lots of tours run by the same owner. They run the sunrise and sunset crocodile tours on the Yellow Water, which I did both of. I also did the sunrise barramundi fishing experience on the Yellow Waters and it was so stunning and peaceful in the morning. I also did a full-day waterfall tour of Gunlom and other secret waterfalls in the area.
• Fourth and final, you are nearby lots of attractions like Nourlangie Rock. If you have your own car you can explore on your own and enjoy the unique atmosphere of Kakadu National Park.

Cooinda Lodge

• Great Location
• Amazing Restaurant
• Swimming Pool

Check price

BOOK A LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK TOUR

One of the best ways to experience all of the things to do in Litchfield National Park is to take a guided day tour from Darwin. Luckily, Litchfield National Park isn’t far from Darwin compared to Kakadu National Park, which takes several hours to reach. Litchfield is just a 1.5-hour drive from Darwin making it perfect for a day trip tour. 

The ‘Litchfield National Park + Jumping Croc Tour‘, is by far the most popular tour in the region. Not only do you tour all the best spots and things to do in Litchfield National Park but the tour includes a boat ride to see the ‘jumping crocodiles’.

Litchfield & Jumping Crocs

• Litchfield highlights
• Crocodile boat tour
• Waterfalls

Book tour

THINGS TO DO IN LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK

WANGI FALLS HIKE

Wangi Falls is arguably the favorite waterfall of most tourists when they visit Litchfield National Park. The huge plunge pool is one of the top swimming spots within the park when it is open and it really is a spectacular backdrop of two waterfalls crashing down on the red rock. There is a 3-kilometer loop trail that takes you up and over the top of the waterfall, giving you a spectacular view.

We decided to go for the loop trek that takes you up and over the waterfalls. It led us underneath the canopy of trees and it was a beautiful walk with lots of birds, spiders, and butterflies to be found along the way. The path was in quite good condition and all of the steeper inclines were aided by stairs or rails. The difficulty of the trail was low but there were uneven parts that could cause some older adventurers a little hassle although most should be fine.

At the top of the falls, we managed to find a view of awesome vantage points and watched as the sun slowly came down over Litchfield National Park. Hanging out here is one of my favorite things to do in Litchfield National Park.

View the full blog post: WANGI FALLS HIKE

BULEY ROCKHOLE

The Buley Rockhole was our go-to swimming spot and hanging out here was one of the most relaxing things to do in Litchfield National Park. A series of cascading pools flow down the stream, creating small swimming pools for small groups of friends to hang out in. It’s almost as if each group of mates gets their own private pool.

The water here was crystal clear and we found a few spots to jump in where it was deep enough. However, the best thing to do at Buley Rockhole is to find a natural armchair, half submerged in the refreshing water, and let the stream flow as you enter full chill mode.

FLORENCE FALLS

Florence Falls is my favorite swimming spot in the beautiful Litchfield National Park. Two waterfalls pour down over the edge and into the plunge pool, flowing in from a series of smaller rock pools in the stream above. Fish and underwater rock formations make Florence Falls an awesome spot for an afternoon of swimming.

Once we arrived at the falls there were about 30-40 people already set up and enjoying the plunge pool. It’s quite a small space so it was pretty crowded but most people were just hanging out around the edges, not actually swimming out to the falls. We threw down our gear and went to explore underwater and under the waterfalls, which was one of my favorite things to do in Litchfield National Park.

From above this spot looked really epic. Lots of rockpools slowly cascade down the stream before pouring over the edge, which made for a really cool top-down aerial shot.

View full blog post: FLORENCE FALLS SWIMMING HOLE

MAGNETIC TERMITE MOUNDS

It isn’t a swimming hole or an epic waterfall but the magnetic termite mounds in Litchfield National Park are beyond fascinating. The minuscule termites somehow manage to build mounds meters into the air. Some of them were double my height and it really gets you thinking about the power of numbers and how organized the termites really are.

A huge field of termite mounds makes a pretty interesting scene. It almost appears to be a cemetery with tombstones.

TOLMER FALLS

Tolmer Falls was my favorite waterfall in Litchfield National Park. It was quietly magnificent, hidden away in a narrow gorge, viewable only from a small platform above the cliffs. I think it was the subtle nature of its raw power that drew me in. I visited Tolmer Falls twice and enjoyed shooting the scenes surrounding the gorge at sunset as well as during the day.

I highly recommend Tolmer Falls for sunset. The sun lights the rocks up a magnificent earthy orange that fades to a soft red. Then, looking away from the waterfall, the rolling mountains make for some stunning landscapes and silhouettes during the final moments of the sunset. The best time to shoot this waterfall is in the late afternoon or during sunset.

View full blog post: TOLMER FALLS VIEWPOINT

LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK: WHERE TO STAY

We stayed at the Litchfield Motel, which is one of the last accommodations before you enter Litchfield National Park. Equipped with a swimming pool and a continental breakfast, it made for the perfect base for day trips into Litchfield National Park.

The drive from the Litchfield Motel into Litchfield National Park took about 15-20 minutes. The beauty of staying at the motel is that you have all of the comforts in the town of Batchelor rather than camping in the park. Each night we went down to the local tavern and had a good old pub meal and a beer and mixed it with the locals.

LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK CAMPING

If you do prefer to camp in the park there are campgrounds at Wangi and Florence Falls that are quite popular. Four-wheel drive camping is at Tjaynera Falls, Surprise Creek Falls, and Florence Falls. Camping fees do apply and you can check the fees and more information on the official site here.

This adventure was part of a trip with the Northern Territory Tourism Board.

The falls themselves are quite impressive and can be very powerful despite not being as big as some of the other falls throughout Litchfield National Park.

BOOK A LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK TOUR

One of the best ways to experience all of the things to do in Litchfield National Park is to take a guided day tour from Darwin. Luckily, Litchfield National Park isn’t far from Darwin compared to Kakadu National Park, which takes several hours to reach. Litchfield is just a 1.5-hour drive from Darwin making it perfect for a day trip tour. 

The ‘Litchfield National Park + Jumping Croc Tour‘, is by far the most popular tour in the region. Not only do you tour all the best spots and things to do in Litchfield National Park but the tour includes a boat ride to see the ‘jumping crocodiles’.

Litchfield & Jumping Crocs

• Litchfield highlights
• Crocodile boat tour
• Waterfalls

Book tour

FLORENCE VALLS VISITORS GUIDE

HOW TO GET THERE

Litchfield National Park is located 85km south of Darwin, which is the capital of Northern Territory.

From the parking lot, we headed to the first viewpoint but it was a bit far from the action. We continued down the staircase, taking in the fact that we would have to walk back up later! The trail is all stairs or paved walkways. It makes access easy but it didn’t feel very natural at all. It was as subtle as possible but it felt a little like a theme park.

WHAT IT’S LIKE AT FLORENCE FALLS

Once we arrived at the falls there were about 30-40 people already set up and enjoying the plunge pool. It’s quite a small space so it was pretty crowded but most people were just hanging out around the edges, not actually swimming out to the falls. We threw down our gear and went to explore underwater and under the waterfalls.

From above this spot looked really epic. Lots of rockpools slowly cascade down the stream before pouring over the edge, which made for a really cool top-down aerial shot. We also managed to fly the drone within the amphitheater of the falls despite some wind gusts. It’s important to remember that you do need a permit to fly a drone in Litchfield National Park.

HOW TO GET TO WANGI FALLS

Litchfield National Park is 85km south of Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory. From the Litchfield Motel/Batchelor the drive takes just under an hour. You will pass by almost all of the attractions in Litchfield National Park before you arrive at Wangi. To get to Wangi Falls from Darwin is a 2-hour drive, which for the most part is on a nice highway.

Wangi Falls is in the north-western region of Litchfield National Park and towards the end of the road that winds through the National Park if you are coming from the Batchelor end. It takes about 45-mins to an hour to get to Wangi Falls from Batchelor.

Wangi Falls is often closed after heavy rainfall due to the danger of crocodiles. The pool is signed off until the rangers are confident the pool is safe for swimming. That is a warning you don’t want to ignore!

WANGI FALLS VISITORS GUIDE

We arrived at Wangi in the early afternoon but the lighting was very harsh so we decided to go and visit a few other attractions in Litchfield National Park before returning around dusk to catch the sun bringing out the reds in the rocky side of the mountain.

The pool was closed when we visited in May and it largely depends on the rainfall it isn’t relative just to the time of year. There is one nice viewing platform but the angles for photography are a little limited from here although you do get a good view of both waterfalls.

We decided to go for the loop trek that takes you up and over the waterfalls. It led us underneath the canopy of trees and it was a beautiful walk with lots of birds, spiders, and butterflies to be found along the way. The path was in quite good condition and all of the steeper inclines were aided by stairs or rails. The difficulty of the trail was low but there were uneven parts that could cause some older adventurers a little hassle although most should be fine.

At the top of the falls, we managed to find a view of awesome vantage points and watched as the sun slowly came down over Litchfield National Park. We sent the drones up to capture Wangi Falls in full force and really do this plunge-pool justice from the air. The conditions at sunset were perfect and despite some curious eagles, the flight went well. It is important to note that you do need a permit to fly a drone in Litchfield National Park.

BOOK A LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK TOUR

One of the best ways to experience all of the things to do in Litchfield National Park is to take a guided day tour from Darwin. Luckily, Litchfield National Park isn’t far from Darwin compared to Kakadu National Park, which takes several hours to reach. Litchfield is just a 1.5-hour drive from Darwin making it perfect for a day trip tour. 

The ‘Litchfield National Park + Jumping Croc Tour‘, is by far the most popular tour in the region. Not only do you tour all the best spots and things to do in Litchfield National Park but the tour includes a boat ride to see the ‘jumping crocodiles’.

Litchfield & Jumping Crocs

• Litchfield highlights
• Crocodile boat tour
• Waterfalls

Book tour

This adventure was part of a trip with the Northern Territory Tourism Board.

Tolmer Falls cascades over a double escarpment, flowing beneath several stunning rock arches before descending into a placid plunge pool, deep in the gorge. An abundance of trees fills the narrow gorge, creating a canopy for the river below when it is in full flow.

The drop at Tolmer Falls is roughly 102 meters and it truly is a majestic waterfall. I had an awesome time flying the drone through the canyon finding new angles to capture this majestic formation of mother nature.

I highly recommend Tolmer Falls for sunset. The sun lights the rocks up a magnificent earthy orange that fades to a soft red. Then, looking away from the waterfall, the rolling mountains make for some stunning landscapes and silhouettes during the final moments of the sunset. The best time to shoot this waterfall is in the late afternoon or during sunset.

You are limited to only a few angles for photos from the platform once you take into account the trees and surroundings. The drone gave us the ability to see the gorge and Tolmer Falls from a variety of unique angles. It is important to note that flying a drone in Litchfield National Park does require a permit.

BOOK A LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK TOUR

One of the best ways to experience all of the things to do in Litchfield National Park is to take a guided day tour from Darwin. Luckily, Litchfield National Park isn’t far from Darwin compared to Kakadu National Park, which takes several hours to reach. Litchfield is just a 1.5-hour drive from Darwin making it perfect for a day trip tour. 

The ‘Litchfield National Park + Jumping Croc Tour‘, is by far the most popular tour in the region. Not only do you tour all the best spots and things to do in Litchfield National Park but the tour includes a boat ride to see the ‘jumping crocodiles’.

Litchfield & Jumping Crocs

• Litchfield highlights
• Crocodile boat tour
• Waterfalls

Book tour

HOW TO GET TO TOLMER FALLS

Tolmer Falls is roughly in the middle of the loop road that winds through Litchfield National Park. It is adjacent to Tjaetaba Falls. There is a parking lot with a big sign identifying the two paths in the area. One path leads you to rock pools to the side of the Falls and the other down to the viewing platform. The walk down to the viewing platform says 1.6km return but felt like a quick 5-minute stroll.

Litchfield National Park is 85km south of Darwin, the capital of Northern Territory.

This adventure was part of a trip with the Northern Territory Tourism Board.

Going back to back means that you don’t really have time to consolidate the content from the previous trip, which in this case was Kakadu National Park. It was back to back to back for me coming off Israel straight into Kakadu so it all starts to test your organization and stamina.

The part that keeps you motivated and keeps you going is purely the stoke for the adventure. We were essentially spending the week commissioned to create content in one of the most beautiful parts of Australia. Exploring this epic region is motivation enough for me to push through the shorter sleep.

Litchfield National Park proved to be far, far smaller than Kakadu National Park. In fact, we drove through the entirety of Litchfield in under an hour. With more than 10 attractions on our list that we wanted to visit in Litchfield National Park, this meant that the park was densely populated with natural attractions.

Because the wet season was so full on this year, a few of the roads and subsequently attractions were closed. This meant the waterfalls and viewpoints that were open had some serious traffic to them. The challenge for us was to capture the locations in the right lighting but not while crowded with people. We arrived at first light to several of the attractions and crowds were already amongst our shots. This was probably the biggest challenge of the week. We managed to work around it and also the luxury of a drone permit, which gave us the ability to capture the stunning landscape from a new perspective.

If you are heading to Litchfield National Park for an overnight visit or even just a day trip, these would be my top 3 things to do.

• Tolmer Falls viewing platform for sunset
• Wangi Falls hiking loop for sunset
• Florence Falls during the day

On the last day of the trip with NT Tourism, Dan and I did a helicopter pub crawl! We flew to 5 different pubs and got to see some of the epic islands just out of Darwin. I didn’t know that there were so many cool, tropical looking locations just out of the city of Darwin. I guess we don’t hear about them because no one swims there due to the crocs.

We flew over a blue hole and several small islands, privately owned by people who have just opened up a bar and chill on their own little pad. It was an awesome day and to have five helicopter flights in a day was a dream!