Litchfield National Park

Day in Litchfield national Park today, leaving about 8am, got home about 4pm.  We'd seen the Tourist Information Centre yesterday and got some good information on where to go and what to see.  About an hour to Batchelor where we thought we'd get a coffee, no such luck so on to the termite mounds.  Huge structures over 50 years old (they could probably eat a whole house in a day), there are plenty to see along the road but it's best if you want to get up close to call in to the display centre which has some interesting information on the different types of mounds.

Once you get in to the park everything is pretty close so next up was Florence Falls.  A short walk to the viewing platform then 135 steps down to the plunge pool.  Had a swim in the pool, the water tempreture was quite acceptable and very refreshing, shame about the 135 steps back up to the car park!

Buley Rockhole just around the corner, a series of pools seperated by small rapids, quite a few people swimming in each pool, we'd just had a swim so just a short walk along the pools then back in the car to Tolmer Falls.

These falls are out of bounds due to the distance required to walk there and the efforts to protect them from too many people making there way down in to the gorge.  Great short walk to the lookouts, incredible views with a very high waterfall down to the gorge with beautiful red/yellow walls.

Last stop the Cascades.  A short 3.3 kilometre walk to the Upper Cascades, (the Lower Cascades 2.6 kilometre walk is currently closed due to a crocodile infestation).  One would think it would be a walk in the park?  Pam was reluctant and I have to confess I coerced her in to this adventure.  The walk starts out easy enough, there had been some back-burning done in the last day or so and there was a tiny, tiny bit of smoke in the air.  Onward and upward and over the next 40 minutes we crossed 4 very rocky ridges where the path was only able to be followed due to it being the only area not covered in ash and/or burning timber.  We knew there was a fantastic view at the end because a couple of people coming the other way assured us it was 'worth the effort'.

To say we were disappointed would be an understatment, the Cascades were indeed a series of cascading pool over red/pink/grey rocks, there were a couple of pools to cool off in which was great except we had the knowledge in the back of our mind that we had a hot, sweaty, difficult 40 minute walk back to the car.   With a smile on our face and a spring in our step we dragged ourselves back to the car for the drive home.

Cold beer and a cool wine and a hot shower fixed everything and I've been forgiven!!!

On our way

Florence Falls from the top

Down we go

Across the creek

The creek

In the swim

Very popular spot

Inspiration for lots of art

Such clear water at Buley Rockhole

Looking back up the creek

Hanging on in a rock face

Lots of these in flower

Checking out the pink rock at Tolmer Falls

Couldn't believe how high we managed to get without even noticing

The falls

The selfie

What could go wrong?

Made a wise choice not to head down that track

No problem!!

Walk in the park

Ooops

Just keeping my distance

No rocks but the sand was worse

The Cascades

Extra happy!!

Cooling off

Pam surveying the Cascades

The walk back

Talk about walking over hot coals!

Pam may need some new walking sandals?

Tea at Tap on Mitchell, big tree in the middle, this side is non-smoking, the other side of the tree is the smoking area....things are a bit loose in NT?

Had the Croc Burger of course, thought I'd eat him before he ate me?