Day 35 – Fri, 13 Aug to Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP

A wonderful night sleep and an early rise this morning, had breakfast with an English couple (Peter & Barbara)  doing a week’s holiday in a rental car and a 4 man tent – backpacking by car they called it.

Today I headed back into Litchfield NP with the hope that the fires were gone. Well there were signs of the fires close to the road but the road was open. Nothing like the fires that Sydney experiences, nor I guess which would occur in the really dry season up here. The overnight was cool (well could even say on the cold side) and I guess the fire simply ran its course and extinguished itself. There was still some smoke around but little to be of any consequence.

I passed by the Termite Mounds of yesterday and the first stop was Buley Rockhole just for a look as I had only travelled about 30km and I wasn’t getting out of my bike gear for a plunge.

Great spot though with water cascading down over rocky slopes into pools and continuing on down the next slope, etc.  There were a few teenagers (well 20 something's) jumping off higher rocks into one of the pools. Great starting point, but lets press on.

Next up were the Tolmer Falls – this was only a short 400m walk to view the falls but also with incredible vistas across the Park.  Absolutely stunning – the falls dropping well over 70-80m with rock archways and passages being formed over the thousands of years (well maybe the millennia). It was hard to leave actually, as the place had that really special feel, with the viewing platform possibly 100+m above tall palms growing by the waters edge below, and the countryside opening out far beyond.  I had morning tea and pushed on as I wanted to see the popular spot – Wangi Falls.

I arrived and decided to stay the night in the NP campground just above the falls. The sites were a little rough but I managed to find a spot that was suitable, within easy walk to picnic tables and barbeque areas where I am presently sitting writing this post.

I could hear the falls but couldn’t see them, So I got the hot work out of the way and setup camp. I then took lunch and my book to spend the afternoon down at the falls. Well what can I say – I am out of adjectives – maybe stupendous, oh what the heck just look at the photo.

What a place, huge spring fed falls, maybe 80-90m tall falling into a huge plunge pool maybe 40-50m across, if not more. During the wet season the falls become a raging flow, but the falls are presently fed by spring water. Signs say fresh water crocs may exist, and during the wet season estuarine crocs (salties) may come in by the flooded creeks. But not today.

I was down there just after noon and spent some 3-4 hours around the pool. First up a swim in the refreshingly clean cool fresh water, only about three other guys in the pool when I first entered. But during the day the numbers increased and this will be a popular spot during any day, especially on weekends. I can see why the Darwinians love this place more than Kakadu.

After my swim I had lunch, read for awhile then another swim and the story repeats itself. I was wondering what other people were doing in Sydney in the cold of winter whilst I enjoy the warmth (35+C) of the NT. Sorry guys but can’t help rubbing it in.

I am unsure what I’ll do tomorrow, whether to stay another night or head out. I’ll see how I feel in the morning and take it as it goes. Probably won’t be back here for sometime, if ever, so maybe I should just enjoy it. Until then, see yah.