Wednesday 27th June - Wangi Falls and Florence Falls

So many water holes to choose from



Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP, NT

Waterhole above Florence Falls, Litchfield NP, NT

Arriving in Litchfield NP really felt like the tropics at last.  The NT National Parks have done a great job of making the spectacular scenery very accessible.  A number of springs rise on the tabletop areas and flow down over the escarpments into delightful creeks.  This means that although there is less flow in the dry season, the creeks never dry up.




First visit was Wangi Falls which are quite spectacular falling sheer into a deep waterhole at the base of the semi circular rock surrounds.  We took a walk up over the escarpment which gives good views into the area.  Black flying foxes squabble in the trees near the waterways, which are lush with palms, pandanus and ferns.  Only a few metres on either side of the creeks the vegetation changes dramatically to dry savannah woodland.
 
Next we went to Florence Falls and walked from there along the creek to Buley waterholes which is a series of deep waterholes with cascades in between.  As this seemed to be quite popular, we walked back along the creek and found a lovely secluded spot in the river in which to swim with just a cormorant and and a hawk for company.  They were both fishing in the river.

Tolmer Falls, Litchfield NP, NT

Tabletop swamp, Litchfield NP, NT

Later we visited a tabletop swamp, which is supposed to be a good area for viewing birds.  We hardly saw any but there were lovely reflections of the trees in the water.

Lastly we walked to Tolmer Falls which can only be viewed from a high lookout as it is an ecologically sensitive area.

After this we were hot enough for another dip so returned to Wangi Falls for a swim and then back to the campsite close by.