Litchfield Park swimming tour from Darwin: Three waterfalls

Termite mounds stand aligned to magnetic north, and your guide explains why as you walk between them.

A full-day guided tour from Darwin explores Litchfield National Park with swimming stops at three natural spring-fed waterfalls (Wangi, Florence and Buley Rock), visits to the Magnetic Termite Mounds and Cathedral Mount, and a seasonal stop at Berry Springs. The tour runs 10.5 hours with pickup from Darwin at 8am, includes park entry, lunch, fresh fruit and snacks, and travels in an air-conditioned van with a certified local guide. Groups stay under 12 people.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Litchfield National Park and surrounds

• Visit Litchfield National Park
• Swim at Wangi Falls
• Swim at Florence Falls
• Swim at Buley Rockhole
• Swim at seasonal Berry Springs
• Visit Tolmer Falls lookout or walk cycad forest
• See Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds
• Guided monsoon vine forest walk and bush medicine lesson
• Stop at Batchelor Town for break and drink
• City tour with Darwin history commentary

The experience

You're picked up from your Darwin accommodation at 8am and driven south into Litchfield National Park, about an hour away. The guide provides live commentary on Darwin's history during the drive, then the day splits into swimming stops and walking sections. At Wangi Falls you swim at the base of the waterfall; at Florence Falls you photograph from the viewing platform and swim below; at Buley Rock Hole the water is shallower and the setting more intimate. Each stop includes time in the water and a guided walk through the surrounding bush: monsoon vine forest at one, ancient cycad forest at another (wet season). Floating devices and snorkel masks are provided.

The Magnetic Termite Mounds are a working termite colony built in perfect alignment to magnetic north, and your guide explains the engineering as you walk among them. Cathedral Mount is a separate viewing stop with its own rock formations and history. Berry Springs is a seasonal addition: a hot spring rock pool that closes during the wet season due to flooding and reopens in the dry season. Tolmer Falls appears on the itinerary as either a lookout or a walk through the cycad forest, depending on the season.

Lunch is a gourmet buffet included in the tour cost. Fresh fruit, snacks and cold water are provided throughout the day. The group stops in Batchelor Town for a short break and a cool drink before heading back to Darwin, with drop-off at Mindil Beach Markets or your hotel by request. The whole day runs 10.5 hours in an air-conditioned van with a small group of up to 11 people.

What’s included

• Park entry to Litchfield National Park.
• gourmet buffet lunch.
• fresh fruit and snacks throughout the day.
• cold fresh water.
• floating devices and snorkel masks.
• air-conditioned van transport.
• certified local guide with live commentary in English or Italian.
• pickup from your Darwin accommodation at 8am.

Options for this experience

2 options

Litchfield tour including lunchGuide in English or Italian · 08:00Gourmet buffet lunch, with air-conditioned transport in a van or Rosa bus, fresh fruit, bread and fresh water. Pickup is included.

Small Tour, Lunch, Park PassGuide in English or Italian · 08:00A full-day Litchfield Park adventure on a small-group tour, with a guided visit, buffet lunch and pickup included. The lunch includes a fresh salad or wrap, with a choice from 12 different options to build a garden salad or wrap. Air-conditioned transport depends on group size: groups of up to 11 travel in a mini van, and groups of more than 12 travel by Rosa coach. The entry pass covers Litchfield only, and pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (1 to 12 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 40 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Litchfield Park Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you're spending a full day in Darwin and want multiple swimming stops at Litchfield's waterholes plus termite mounds and forest walks. The small group van departs at 8am with hotel pickup, so you're not coordinating separate transport or timing between sites.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 12 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I swim at all three waterfalls on the same day?

Yes, Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Buley Rock Hole are all swimming stops on the tour. Each has different water depth and setting, so you get variety in a single day.

What are the Magnetic Termite Mounds and why do they matter?

The Magnetic Termite Mounds are a working termite colony in Litchfield National Park built in precise alignment to magnetic north. Your guide explains how the termites engineer this alignment and what it reveals about their behavior.

Is Berry Springs included, or does it depend on the season?

Berry Springs is a seasonal stop. It's a hot spring rock pool that closes during the wet season due to flooding and reopens when the dry season begins. Whether it's on your tour depends on when you travel.

What's included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

Park entry, lunch (gourmet buffet), fresh fruit, snacks, cold water, the air-conditioned van, floating devices and snorkel masks are all included. Pickup from your Darwin accommodation is also included.

How long is the full day, and when does pickup happen?

The tour runs 10.5 hours total. Pickup starts at 8am from your Darwin hotel or accommodation, with drop-off at Mindil Beach Markets or your hotel by request.