Connection to country

Wetlands & Wildlife

 The traditional owners of the Mary River area are the Limilngan and the Uwynmil people. The river was named by John McDouall Stuart in 1862. He wrote in his diary 'Country burning all round. Lat 13°38'24". This branch I have named the Mary, in honour of Miss Mary Chambers'. Nature abounds the vast wetlands of the Mary River, home to a vast variety of birdlife, some of the biggest barramundi and the largest concentration of saltwater crocodiles in the world. Lagoons, canals and billabongs make up the waterways of the wetlands of the Mary River, which runs both north and south of the Armhem Highway.

Mary River National Park incorporates many destinations worthy of exploration – Rockhole, Couzens Lookout, Brian Creek Monsoon Forest Walk, Jimmy Creek Monsoon Forest, Point Stuart Coastal Reserve, Shady Camp, Mistake Creek, Corroboree Billabong and Hardies 4WD Track.

History

Tiwi Islands

 Just 80km north of Darwin lie Bathurst and Melville Islands, known collectively as the Tiwi Islands. Europeans first made contact with the Tiwi people in 1705. Then, 119 years later, the British established the first settlement in Northern Australia. This was at the short-lived Fort Dundas on Melville Island near where Pirlangimpi now stands.

You can visit the Tiwi Islands on a guided tour and experience life in a modern-day Aboriginal community learning about the rich and fascinating history and culture of the Tiwi people. Visitors either board a small plane in Darwin for the short flight to the Islands, or cruise the Timor Sea for around two and a half hours on a ferry – check Top End Summer availability with the Top End Visitor Information Centre. Permits are only required if you intend to visit outside the main township of Wurrumiyanga, these permits are required before you travel to the Tiwi Islands. For more information please contact the Tiwi Islands Regional Council tiwiislands.org.au or your tour operator.

The Tiwi people are known around the world for their distinctive fabric prints, pottery, sculptures and carvings. There are several art galleries on both Melville and Bathurst Islands and visitors are more than welcome to purchase directly from the artists.

The Tiwi people are also famous for their love of sports, in particular Australian Rules football.

The Tiwi Football Grand Final and Art Sale is held in July and is the one time when you can visit the island without a permit. The islands’ isolation and high rainfall means you will find many species not recorded elsewhere in the world. The islands are host to the world’s largest breeding colony of Crested Terns and a large population of the vulnerable Olive Ridley turtle.

Connection to country

Tiwi Islands

Tiwi people are coastal Aboriginals with a culture different to those on the mainland. Their strong traditions, rituals and traditional foods are still a very important part of everyday life today and they appear to have successfully combined both traditional and modern lifestyles.

Adventure the way you want it

Litchfield National Park

Bamboo Creek Tin Mine

Easily accessed, just a short walk from the car park to the ruins of the old tin mine. Tin was mined here on a small scale from 1905, however adverse conditions of transportation and unfavourable Top End Summer rains brought about the closure of the mine in the 1950s.

Blyth Homestead Ruins

Blyth Homestead is located just off the Reynolds 4WD track. Within the park are the ruins of the old homestead built in 1929 by the Sergeant family. The homestead was eventually abandoned in the 1960s and is now preserved as a popular visitor attraction. No camping. Closed over the Top End Summer.

Buley Rockhole

A series of small waterfalls and rock holes that provide the perfect site to simply cool off and relax. For the bushwalker the Florence Creek Walk leads from Buley Rockhole to Florence Falls.

Cascades

A waterhole suitable for swimming, Cascades features an all-weather access road to a carpark, grassland viewing platforms and a walking trail from the picnic area to the top of Cascades.

Toilet facilities available.

Central Valley

Accessible via high clearance 4WD only via the Lost City track, a range of beautiful new central valley sites have opened in Litchfield National Park and feature large camping areas with idyllic plunge pools nearby for exclusive use. Closed during the Top End Summer. Bookings must be made with National Parks before travelling and you will be issued with a key at the Parks and Wildlife office in Palmerston to access the track.

Florence Falls

A spectacular double waterfall open year round for viewing, set amidst monsoon rainforest. There are 135 steps through rainforest to take you to the base of the falls, but if you don’t feel like walking all the way a nearby viewing platform is ideal for sightseeing and photography. Camping Fees apply and must be pre-booked online.

Greenant Creek to Tjaetaba Falls

Allow 1.5 hours for this three-kilometre return walk. Picnic tables near the creek provide a good place to take a break before taking the steep climb to the top of Tjaetaba Falls where swimming is allowed.

The falls and area below are an Aboriginal sacred site – swimming downstream is prohibited. Toilet facilities available.

Surprise Creek Falls

Accessible by 4WD only. A short walk through a shady monsoon forest leads to a large tranquil pool. A little further, a couple of round rock pools sunk into the rock face towards the start of these small but pleasant falls. A great cooling-off spot after a walk. Must be pre-booked online and camping fees apply. Toilet facilities only. Closed over the Top End Summer.

The Tabletop Track – a Bush Walker’s Delight This long distance bushwalk offers the opportunity to experience the isolation of the Top End.

You’ll hike through extensive woodlands, along creek lines to scenic waterfalls and pools. The 39-kilometre circuit is suitable for experienced, well-prepared bushwalkers willing to carry their

supplies (including water) and camp with minimal facilities. Note: The Tabletop Track is closed between October and June.

Termite Mounds

A major attraction seen on driving into the park are the many Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds found on the floodplains, standing up to two metres in height. The Magnetic mounds are aligned in a north-south orientation. The configuration acts as a built-in temperature control mechanism, allowing the least possible surface area to be exposed to the heat of the sun.

The Lost City

Accessible by 4WD only (during the dry season, May to October) the impressive site known as ‘The Lost City’, reminiscent of the ruins of some lost civilisation, is a formation of sandstone blocks and majestic pillars formed and weathered by the elements. The site is some eleven kilometres off the main Litchfield Park Road. No camping. Closed over the Top End Summer.

Tolmer Falls

The lookout to view these dramatic falls is located 400 metres from the car park. There is no access to the gorge below as it is home to protected rare species of bats, the Orange Leaf-nosed Bat and the Ghost Bat. However, the Tolmer Creek

Walk (1.6km) leads from the lookout along Tolmer Creek. Note: No swimming or camping permitted at this location.

Tjaynera Falls/Sandy Creek Falls

Nestling in an open valley luxuriant with paperbarks, the falls can be accessed by taking the 1.7km walking trail. After your walk enjoy the usually uncrowded plunge pool. The falls are 9km from Reynolds 4WD track accessible by four-wheel

drive only.

Toilet and shower facilities. Must be pre-booked online and camping fees apply. Closed over the Top End Summer.

Walker Creek

Allow two hours for this 3.5km return walk. The trail leads to a shared picnic area with the opportunity for a cooling swim in a crystal-clear pool. Camping spots are available along the trail. Closed over the Top End Summer.

Wangi Falls

The most popular because of its easy access. Wangi has a camping ground with all amenities including toilets, café, showers and free gas BBQs in designated areas and waterfalls surrounding a cool freshwater swimming hole.

Must be pre-booked online and camping fees apply.