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Florence Falls
Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory

Florence Falls consists of two sizeable waterfalls that flow into a circular rock pool around 30 metres in diameter. A towering rock wall surrounds the pool on three sides and the exit is jammed with several large boulders on which you can sit and relax near the water. The water temperature here felt a few degrees colder than the other swimming holes in Litchfield National Park and there is plenty of shade, so it is probably a good destination in the middle of the day. Swimming at Florence Falls Above: The pool for swimming (Order this image)

Underneath the water there are two features of interest that are best seen with a pair of goggles or a snorkel mask. The first are the fish, which are easily visible around your feet in the shallows. At the time I thought these were barramundi, but a reader pointed out to me since that they are more likely to be sooty grunter, which look very similar to barramundi, but have a darker skin colour.
The second are the giant rock boulders, which can be a hazard, even in the middle of the pool, if you do not know where they are. These sharp boulders can be slippery, particularly when entering and exiting the water, and difficult for inexperienced swimmers to negotiate. The current close to the falls can be quite strong. Swimming at Florence Falls Above: Some inquisitive fish in the pool (Order this image)

There are two walking tracks from the car park to the base of the falls. I took the shorter route, down numerous flights of stairs just beyond the viewing platform.

Other Information Before You Go:

Location: Access Road off Litchfield Park Road, Litchfield National Park, 140 km (approx. 2 hr drive) south of the Darwin city centre
Latitude:-13.099042 Longitude:130.783550
Getting there: rom Darwin take the Stuart Hwy southwards and turn off at the signs to Litchfield National Park (via Batchelor). The turnoff to Florence Falls is well signposted within the National Park.

Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables, campground, scenic lookout, emergency phone
Entrance fee: None for Northern Territory residents. A park pass is required for swimming from 2023 for visitors from outside of the Northern Territory.
Water temperature: Mild
Water clarity: Clear
Under foot: Rock with some loose sand and gravel
Maximum water depth: Greater than 2 metres
Minimum suggested swimming proficiency: Experienced. Beginners would be able to wade amongst the boulders near the edge of the pool, but the footing is quite uneven.
Prohibitions including whether you can bring your dog: No swimming during the wet season, no pets, no generators, no glass containers within 10 m of the water, no feeding of native animals, no nets, no traps, no firearms, light fires only in fireplaces provided, no soaps or detergents in or near waterways, stay on marked roads and tracks.
Sun shade: Shade available in and out of the water, except during the middle of the day, when sun falls directly on the pool.
Opening times: Always open
Wheelchair access: Only to the viewing platform but not to the base of the falls. Accessible toilet.
Managing authority: NT Parks and Wildlife Service
Nearby attractions: Buley Rockhole is around the corner
Before you head out, make sure to read the swimming safety information and check with the managing authority for any current change of conditions. Specific to Litchfield National Park, the managing authority warns of the presence of scrub typhus, which is caused by bites from a mite. Precautions include wearing enclosed footwear, long trousers, insect repellent, camping away from dense forests, and using a ground sheet when sitting or laying on the ground.

Locality Map:

The marker indicates the approximate location of the pool at the falls. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can sometimes occur when loading, simply click or tap on "View Larger Map" below.
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