Litchfield National Park....from the Southern Access Track!

Normally the Litchfield National Park is accessed by the bitumen roads from the North.  As we were in the Daly River region we decided to take the Southern Access Track, called the Reynolds River 4WD and loved it!

The scenery was interesting, changing from grasslands to lush tropical pandanus and paperbark forests. We passed billabongs full of waterlilies and birds. The whole way along, the little single lane track passes hundreds of termite mounds, both the magnetic and big cathedral type, some which the track literally winds around.



              A pretty creek crossing                                                       Gorgeous colours

                                    Some sandy sections leading down into creek crossings                                       

The Southern track also provided us with two of the most challenging creek crossings on our trip so far.  The first was just before Surprise Creek.  On approach we noticed a 4WD (the first car we'd seen that day) on our side of the crossing. The occupants, two young Germans were out of the car, looking shaken.  When we stopped to see if they were ok they nodded (one was holding his hand over his heart indicating he'd had a scare)  then opened the drivers door to let water come gushing out!  You can imagine that didn't do much for our confidence.  We all walked down to the crossing and they explained with broken English and a lot of pointing where the deepest part was.  Anyway we got through fine, the tricky part was the large fallen down tree in the middle that we had to manoeuvre around in the deepest part with a soft sandy bottom.  I must admit I hung on as my side felt like it was sinking.  We think the Germans must have taken it a bit too fast to get water in their car.

What a surprise Surprise Creek turned out to be!  We parked at the start of the walk in, thinking we'd have a quick swim in the creek before moving on.  Two hours later Scott left us there to go and set up camp.  The kids and I dragged ourselves out to go back for lunch, before we all headed back for the rest of the afternoon. 

Surprise Creek ended up being one of our most favourite swimming spots, for a few reasons.  Firstly the walk in is a shady 500m .  Secondly we found 3 easy levels of swimming. The bottom pool was large with a white beach and sandy bottom.  It was also full of fish so great for snorkeling.

          The sandy beaches around the bottom pool                 Scott wasting no time to get wet

                           At the end of the bottom pool there was a a natural rock slide the kids loved.

 An easy climb out of the bottom pool took us up to a deep round waterhole with a little waterfall.

            It also had a perfect platform for the kids to launch themselves from...over and over again!

                        Another short but steeper climb took us up to the third pool and waterfall.

                                                                                                   Scott chilling out with a book

The third reason we loved Surprise Creek so much is that for the most part we had this fabulous place all to ourselves!  The camp was a free bush camp.  Complete with a spacious site, fire pit, table, pit toilets and March Flys who liked me! 

All worn out! Come on kids wake up its 9am, we want to go in for another swim!  

We finally woke them and packed up before heading back down to Surprise Creek for another couple of hours before heading off.  Next stop Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek), then up to the main part of Litchfield. But First we had to cross the Reynolds River Crossing....no walking the creek to check the depth level!

                         Tjaynera falls... the walk in is about 1.5km's. You can camp here but we moved on

Wangi Falls was nice. We did the loop walk over the top of the fall and had a swim.  It was strange for us though because there were so many people!  If you swim out the the fall  there is a thermal spring in a hole in the rock face that you can climb into for a warmer soak. We put the snorkels on and saw lots of fish including an eel tailed catch fish.                     

 Next Florence Falls...This is what happens when you give ask someone else to take your photo!

Check out the photo below that Ben accidently took into the water.....What can you see????

By the time we got up to the main part of Litchfield it was late in the afternoon and it was a bit packed so we headed about 6km's out of the National Park and stayed at the Litchfield Tourist Park.

Buleys Rockholes- Litchfield

Hannah, she cant help herself if there is a ledge she'll jump from it!

In summary we loved Litchfield but mostly the southern part.  If you can come in this way do it as it really was a highlight for us.  Wow I think this has been my longest blog yet... Due to lack of Internet coverage up until now I've fallen behind.... We are actually in the Cairns Hinterland at the moment!  So I hope you dont mind but I will be cramming a few in now to catch up.