# Darwin and Litchfield National Park

> 3-day road trip of about 143 km (89 mi) with 10 stops, from Darwin to Wangi Falls. About 1 h 34 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/au-darwin-litchfield-loop/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 143 km (89 mi) with 10 stops, from Darwin to Wangi Falls. About 1 h 34 min of driving in total. Three relaxed days from Darwin's markets and waterfront to the swimming holes of Litchfield, with wildlife stops and a night in a national park campground.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 143 km (89 mi) |
| Driving | 1 h 34 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 10 |
| Route | Darwin → Wangi Falls |
| States | Northern Territory |
| Updated | April 28, 2026 |

## Route description

Spend day one in Darwin itself. Start at East Point Reserve, where wallabies graze at dusk, then browse the city and have an evening seafood meal at Stokes Hill Wharf. In the dry season, Mindil Beach's sunset market runs on set evenings, so check the dates. Keep out of the water everywhere along this coast: saltwater crocodiles and box jellyfish are real risks.

On day two, leave Darwin on the Stuart Highway and turn off toward Berry Springs for the Territory Wildlife Park, about 50 km out (45 minutes). Continue to Batchelor, around 100 km from Darwin (1 h 15), the gateway to Litchfield National Park. Fill the tank and stock up on water and food here, because there is no shop inside the park.

In Litchfield, drive the sealed park road to Buley Rockhole and Florence Falls, both on short side roads, and swim in the pools, preferably before the midday crowd. Camp at Florence Falls Campground, which keeps you close to the water, but book ahead in the dry season. Dusk brings wallabies and the chorus of night birds. Keep food stored and avoid unsigned waterholes.

On the last day, continue about 20 km on the sealed park road to Wangi Falls for a morning swim at the largest plunge pool, if swimming is open. Then return north through Batchelor to Darwin, around 150 km (about two hours). In the wet season, from November to April, some tracks close and pools can be off limits, so check park notices before you go.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Darwin** (Northern Territory)
2. **Mindil Beach Sunset Market** (Darwin, Northern Territory): Darwin's best-known dry-season ritual: food stalls, crafts and live music on the dunes while the sun drops into the Timor Sea. It runs only on set evenings in the dry season, so check dates before you plan around it.
3. **East Point Reserve** (Darwin, Northern Territory): A bushland and coastal reserve north of the city with wallabies grazing at dusk, mangrove boardwalks and Second World War gun emplacements. Good for a gentle first evening in Darwin; keep out of the water because of crocodiles and stingers.
4. **Stokes Hill Wharf** (Darwin, Northern Territory): A working wharf on Darwin Harbour with casual seafood eateries and a view over the water at dusk. Barramundi and prawns are the local order; the long jetty also makes a pleasant evening stroll when the heat eases.
5. **Territory Wildlife Park** (Humpty Doo, Northern Territory): A large bushland park near Berry Springs with walk-through aviaries, a nocturnal house and an aquarium tunnel, showing the Top End's wildlife safely. A good first look at crocodiles, birds and monsoon forest before heading into the wild.
6. **Batchelor** (Northern Territory)
7. **Florence Falls** (Batchelor, Northern Territory): Paired falls in a monsoon-forest gorge, seen from a lookout or by walking down steps to the swimming hole. The pool sits below a hundred-odd steps, so allow time for the climb back in the heat.
8. **Buley Rockhole** (Batchelor, Northern Territory): A string of small rock pools linked by tumbling cascades on Florence Creek, ideal for families and for lounging in the current. It gets busy by midday in the dry season; arrive early for a pool to yourself.
9. **Florence Falls Campground** (Batchelor, Northern Territory): A national park campground within walking distance of Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole, so you can swim before the day-trippers arrive. Run by Parks and Wildlife NT; sites are limited, so book ahead in the dry season.
10. **Wangi Falls** (Batchelor, Northern Territory): Twin cascades dropping into a big, rainforest-fringed plunge pool, the most visited spot in Litchfield National Park. Swimming is sometimes closed after rain or when crocodiles are found, so follow the signs and check park alerts first.

## Suggested stages and overnight stops

1. **Day 1: Darwin → Territory Wildlife Park** (54 km, 0 h 36 min) On the way: Mindil Beach Sunset Market, East Point Reserve, Stokes Hill Wharf.
2. **Day 2: Territory Wildlife Park → Batchelor** (45 km, 0 h 30 min)
3. **Day 3: Batchelor → Wangi Falls** (43 km, 0 h 28 min) On the way: Florence Falls, Buley Rockhole, Florence Falls Campground.

## Best time to go

No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually July–August. Hot in all year round. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Darwin and Litchfield National Park?**
3-day road trip of about 143 km (89 mi) with 10 stops, from Darwin to Wangi Falls. About 1 h 34 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Darwin and Litchfield National Park?**
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 34 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Darwin and Litchfield National Park start and end?**
It starts in Darwin and ends in Wangi Falls.

**Which states does Darwin and Litchfield National Park pass through?**
Northern Territory.

**When is the best time for Darwin and Litchfield National Park?**
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually July–August. Hot in all year round. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)