NT’s Litchfield National Park is Expanding to Include More Waterfalls, 4WD Tracks, & Hot Springs

 

100km south of Darwin, Litchfield National Park, one of the most accessible and visited parks in the Top End, is set to expand by 20% after the purchase of a private property by the Northern Territory Government that includes the well-loved Robin Falls.

The $7.5 million acquisition of the 30,000-hectare property, known as Silkwood, is the largest addition to Litchfield National Park in 25 years. 

‘Thirty thousand hectares of escarpments, woodlands, and wetlands are being returned to public hands, protecting Territory ecosystems and wildlife while opening up a range of incredible new recreational opportunities’, said Joshua Burgoyne, Minister for Lands, Planning, and Environment.

‘This purchase is good news for the flying foxes, water monitors, bats, and quolls that live in Litchfield’, Environment Centre NT Nature Campaigner, Amy Russell, told The NT News. ‘Expanding one national park is a win, but we need to see more of this across the Territory. Currently, thousands of hectares are being approved for bulldozing every week’, she said.

New Wet Season Attractions

The acquired property includes the popular and dog-friendly Robin Falls and its adjoining free campground, the fate of which is still unknown, as well as an assortment of waterfalls, gorges, hot springs, and 4WD tracks currently inaccessible to the public. A dedicated hunting reserve is also planned within the park expansion.

Robin Falls

‘This is exactly what restoring the Territory lifestyle looks like – protecting our wide-open spaces while making sure Territorians have more places to enjoy the activities we love’, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said.

There are hopes that the area will be accessible during the Top End’s wet season, which sees many major natural attractions close.

‘One of the main advantages of this area is you can go mid-monsoon, up through river crossings, all the way up and camp’, Mickey Barratt, president of Four Wheel Drive NT told the NT News. ‘Mid wet season in a beautiful little pristine forest, little swimming holes – it’s pretty rare in Darwin.’

Will I still be able to take my dog to Robin Falls?

Some members of the public have queried possible changes to Robin Falls and the campground, which is currently one of the few dog-friendly and free campgrounds in the Top End. No details have yet been released about changes in rules; however, dogs and other pets are restricted from entering the rest of Litchfield National Park, and all campgrounds in the park currently need to be booked and paid for in advance via a booking system.

Bigger Park, Bigger Tourist Numbers

The Silkwood property, found 120km from Darwin, borders the south-east section of Litchfield National Park and will see it expand towards the town of Adelaide River, which is expected to benefit from additional tourism.

The Territory Government claims that Litchfield National Park currently has 250,000 visitors a year, with many visiting popular sites like Wangi Falls and Florence Falls.

Wangi Falls

This expansion is expected to boost visitation numbers and create new local tourism opportunities.

‘This is a huge win for regional development. More tourists through Adelaide River means more support for local businesses and jobs, and that’s central to our plan to rebuild the economy and restore our unique lifestyle across the Territory’, said Marie-Claire Boothby, Minister for Parks and Wildlife and Tourism and Hospitality. 

Other recent changes to the park include the creation of the Central Valley precinct, including three additional campgrounds and multiple swimming holes made available for public use. 

Central Valley Campground | Photo by Jo Guthridge

There’s been little indication of when new infrastructure, such as campgrounds, walking trails, and lookouts, will be created; however with much of the planning process just getting underway, it’s expected to be a few years before Territorians and visitors can fully enjoy the new area.