The largest and perhaps most well-known attraction is Wangi Falls Litchfield, in the National Park. A segmented waterfall on Wangi Creek, located near the park’s western boundary, is is renowned for its accessibility and outstanding natural beauty.
This massive double waterfall gloriously cascades over the steep rock escarpment, descending from 84 metres above sea level through a network of segmented tiers between 41-52 metres high, which drops into a vast, pristine plunge pool below. The waterhole here is much larger than the one at Florence Falls, around 100 metres wide and 100 metres long and is surrounded by a lavishly thick monsoon rainforest.
How to access Wangi Falls Litchfield
Wangi Falls in Litchfield National Park is super accessible, with only a short 100-metre walk from the car park to the main viewing area. To get to Wangi Falls Litchfield within the National Park, you will need to hire a car, or you may wish to consider a Litchfield National Park day tour. A large timber platform and steps are provided to the plunge pool for easy access. Near the entrance to the falls, you’ll find a large grassy picnic area with picnic tables and barbeques which is the perfect place to cook up a feed or sprawl out, read a book and unwind after a swim. If you don’t feel like packing a picnic lunch, you could grab a bite to eat at the Wangi Falls Cafe and enjoy free Wi-Fi there. There’s also a campground with hot showers and toilets nearby where you can freshen up afterwards.
When is the best time to visit Wangi Falls?
The crystal-clear water is perfect for a refreshing dip. However, the Falls are generally closed for swimming throughout the dry season, aka the ‘tropical summer’ between May-October or during periods of significant rainfall. Currents in the pool can tend to become quite heavy and potentially dangerous. Estuarine crocodiles have also been known to venture up this way during this time, so it’s advised to take precautions seriously, check the signage for restrictions and stay up to date with information and sightings on the Northern Territory government site. The kiosk and the picnic facilities remain open during this season; the park rangers frequently monitor the area and conduct surveys to ensure the waters are crocodile free before re-opening the facilities for swimming.
Wangi Falls has been through several name changes throughout the years. The first European naming of the falls was recorded by David Lindsay in 1883 after his youngest daughter ‘Gwendoline’. It was later changed to ‘Kathleen Falls’ in1954 by Max Sargent however it was rightfully returned to its local aboriginal name ‘Wangi Falls’ in 1961 when the Townsend family took over the pastoral lease, and an outstation, also named ‘Wangi’ was built approximately 4km west from the falls.
Walking trails around Wangi Falls Litchfield National Park
Various walking tracks at Wangi Falls, including a short 400-metre return stroll to the viewing platform, crossing the Wangi Creek footbridge to the pool’s edge. There is also a longer 1.6km loop trail starting from the plunge pool, which takes you up the mountain over a series of steps to a plateau on top of the falls, where you can experience sensational treetop views over the woodlands to the west. Follow the hiking track over the creek as it winds down through the rainforest and returns you to the pool below. Keep your eyes peeled for the flying foxes (fruit bats) who seasonally roost in these trees throughout the year. Booking one of our Darwin tours is a great way to see all this.
For the more advanced hikers, Wangi Falls Walk has an 18.5-kilometre trek leading you through Litchfield National Park from Wangi Falls to Walker Creek. The trail is part of the Tabletop Track and generally takes two days to complete. Still, it offers a spectacular opportunity to take in the landscape’s dramatic escarpments, open woodlands and abundant native wildlife, including northern quolls, wallabies, frogs, lizards and hundreds of native bird species.
