Campervan in Litchfield National Park - Outback Guide

Litchfield National Park is easily a tourist favourite within the Australian Outback, and from the moment you arrive you will begin to see why this is the case.

Litchfield truly is an oasis in the desert and boasts powerful waterfalls, breathtaking waterholes, dramatic landscapes, unique wildlife and incredible walking tracks.

The park spans some 1,500 square-kilometres and is the original home of the Wagait Aboriginal people, who have lived here for thousands of years. This land is also important to the Koongurrukun, Marranunggu, Werat and Weray Aboriginal people, whose ancestral spirits formed the landscape, plants and animals that are still present in the park today.

This unspoiled wilderness is without a doubt the scenic highlight of the Northern Territory and is an absolute must on any campervan holiday in Australia's top end.

Travel Distances

Litchfield National Park is located near Batchelor, 100 kilomteres south-west of the capital city of Darwin. The distance from Alice Springs is a much larger one, at approximately 1500 kilometres. Most of this drive occurs along the Stuart Highway, which will take you through the majority of the Northern Territory's outback towns.

Airports and Campervan Depots

There are two main airports tourists use to fly into the Northern Territory. Alice Springs Airport and Darwin International Airport are both located near campervan depots and are ideal places to begin your campervan holiday in Litchfield National Park.

Campervan travellers can choose to either pick up their vehicle from Alice Springs or Darwin. A one-way rental is a popular option for those wishing to simply travel between the two and not backtrack on where they have already driven.

Park Use Fees

There are no park use fees permitted for entry into Litchfield National Park.

What to See and Do

• The Waterfalls and Waterholes

  Litchfield National Park is practically overflowing with glorious waterfalls and picturesque swimming holes. Some of the most popular of these include the Buley Rockhole, Wangi Falls, Tolmer Falls and the Tjaynera Falls.

  Wangi Falls is one of the park's most visited attractions, is easily accessible and is open all year round. However, sometimes swimming is prohibited, especially during the wet season, when water levels rise due to the heavy rain.

• The Walking Tracks

  Litchfield offers a wide range of walking tracks, many of which must be attempted over several days.

  Some of the most popular longer walks include the Tabletop Track and the Florence Creek Walk. Both of these walks take hikers along trickling creeklines, cascading waterfalls, crystal clear pools and undisturbed pockets of tropical monsoon rainforest.

  For those searching for day treks, the Greenant Creek Walk, Wangi Falls Walk, Walker Creek Walk and The Lost City Walk, are some of your best bets. Many of these lead to stunning waterfalls and waterholes that are perfect for cooling off in the outback heat.

• Other Attractions

  The Blyth Homestead is a must-visit for those wishing to uncover a little of the park's history. This homestead was built in 1929, withstanding the test of time and telling the story of the tough times that were experienced in the park in the olden days.

  The Magnetic Termite Mounds are another popular talking point of the park. The mounds were built by thousands of termites and stand up prominently within the grassy fields of Litchfield.

Climate and Weather

The climate in Australia's top end is described as tropical, with the seasons generally divided into two; the wet and the dry. Litchfield experiences an average yearly temperature of 32 degrees Celcius and the summer months are often described as the park's most beautiful.

Humidity levels tend to rise at the end of the year, just before the monsoon season begins. Be prepared for the weather to change without notice and always check weather reports before travelling.

Best Time to Visit

Litchfield National Park is spectacular all year round, adding to its appeal as a fantastic destination for a campervan holiday. However, during the wet season the roads can get slippery making them only suitable for 4WDs. Some areas, such as Wangi Falls, also become unsafe during this season which usually leads to their closure and restricts swimming.

The best time to visit would have to be at the beginning of the dry season, as this is when the roads have dried up but the waterfalls are still pumping. This is also a time when tourists have tended to shy away from the region, leaving you to enjoy the peace and quiet that remains.

The best time to explore the park is in the morning, as temperatures are lower and you will avoid walking in the hottest part of the day.

What to wear?

During the day it can get incredibly hot in Litchfield National Park, therefore it is best to dress in loose clothing that will still protect you from the sun and insect bites. Sunscreen, wide brimmed hats and sunglasses are necessities, while repellant is also essential to have on hand.

If you plan on swimming in the park (and most people tend to do so), be sure to put on plenty of sunscreen as the sun's rays are harsh and sunburn is almost guaranteed.

Wildlife

Common wildlife species found within Litchfield National Park include the Antilopine Wallaroo, Agile Wallaby, Sugar Glider, Northern Brushtail Possum, Fawn Antechinus, Black and Little Red Flying-Foxes and the Dingo.

There is also a large diversity of native bird species, with many of these common in the dry season.

Driving Restrictions and Tips

Litchfield National Park is generally accessible all year round via the sealed roads from Batchelor. The park can also be reached via the Cox Peninsula Road; however this road is unsealed and therefore campervans are not permitted to travel on it.

The road to the Lost City is also prohibited to for travel in a rental campervan.

Nearby Attractions

• Litchfield National Park

  Litchfield National Park is conveniently located just up the road from the outback town of Batchelor. While in town, make sure to make a stop at the Coomalie Cultural Centre, which displays a unique presentation of indigenous arts and crafts from the Northern Territory.

• Darwin

  Darwin is situated just over an hour's drive away and is a city that boasts a rich culture and beautiful landscapes. Kakadu National Park is positioned nearby and is another of Australia's natural treasures. Kakadu boasts stunning tropical landscapes and attractions and is a truly stunning destination.

What to bring?

It is absolutely necessary to bring plenty of water to the MacDonnell Ranges, regardless of the length of your stay. Ensuring you always have fuel in your petrol tank is also important as distances between roadhouses can be vast.

It is also a good idea to bring a suitable amount of food. The shops within the park are quite expensive, so it works out a lot cheaper to bring your own in.

Appropriate clothing, sun protection, insect repellant and shoes are also vital, because of the changing weather conditions. This is the outback, so remember it gets extremely hot!

Another must-have for your campervan adventure in the MacDonnell Ranges is your camera. The ranges are truly remarkable sights so being snap happy will ensure you can keep your memories of it forever.

Road Restrictions and Tips

Most roads within Litchfield National Park are sealed and suitable for campervans to travel on them. As with driving anywhere in the outback, it is important to drive carefully at night and always keep an eye out for wildlife.

As the outback is so dry, there is a lot of dust and this tends to cloud people's vision while driving. Therefore, if you are travelling in a group of behind someone, it is essential that you keep a safe distance to avoid this.

In the other extreme, when it is flooding in Litchfield, do not attempt to cross flooded bridges or causeways unless absolutely sure of the depth and any road damage. Most flash floods recede in 24 hours so it is best to wait it out.

Places to Stay

There are several places within Litchfield National Park in which you will be able to camp in a campervan. These include:

• Wangi falls
• Buley Rockhole
• Florence Falls
• Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek)
• Walker Creek
• Surprise Creek Falls
• Florence Falls (downstream)

Fees do apply to all of these campgrounds and no powered sites are available. If you wish to stay in a commercial caravan park there are several located just outside the park.

Shops/Supermarkets

Batchelor is regarded as the gateway to Litchfield National Park and is a great place to stock up on supplies before heading in. In the park itself you can enjoy a meal at either the Monsoon Cafe or the Wangi Kiosk. However, keep in mind that the prices here are incredibly expensive.

The best option is to stock up on supplies in Darwin, where you will find everything you need at a much more affordable price.

Roadhouses/Petrol Stations

Petrol stations can be found in both Darwin and Batchelor, but since the distances from these to Litchfield are not large, it is not necessary to worry about filling up multiple times.

Petrol in the outback also tends to be more expensive. For the latest information on Australian fuel prices visit MotorMouth.

For a more comprehensive list of roadhouses in the Northern Territory and beyond, visit our 101 Outback Roadhouses in Australia.

Important Things to Remember

It is absolutely necessary to take notice of all signs within the park, especially the signs that indicate "no swimming". It is also highly important to wear sun protection and take insect repellent for both walking and camping.

If you are planning on camping within Litchfield National Park, stick to the designated areas and never camp on the water's edge. Limit the use of campfires and be aware of the fire restrictions in place at the time of travel.