This historic site is quite interesting. It's about a 10km of dirt road with 2 creek crossings (there'd probably be more in the wet season, although I'm guessing access gets closed in the wet). It is the site of an old Tin Mine from 1888 and the history is definitely worth the trip and taking the time to read. Much of the mining was done by the children of a farmer who found the mine site and the conditions are so harsh and unimaginable. To live in such a small house, that consisted of a single room, and was sweltering when we visited (and would only get worse) would be so tough. Then to be on their own and working the mine as well, is incredible to think of. One of the children had a pet crocodile, which I am guessing was a freshwater, as it had grown to 5 foot in the end... but seriously, how crazy!
The road in
One of the water crossings
The other water crossing
The homestead
These gum blossoms are pretty big and so very pretty and pink
Wangi Falls
Wangi Falls is probably the most popular waterfall/plunge pool in the park as it is a very short (80m) walk from the car park to the plunge pool. While we were there, at least 3 tour groups came through, so it can get quite busy. As we walked down to the plunge pool (a very short walk) we went past a sign stating the Freshwater Crocodiles inhabit this area. It caused me some stress but I didn't want to say anything and scare Tilda as we were really looking forward to a nice cool swim. So instead, I took a VERY careful look around before we got in and had quite heightened vigilance while in the water. There were quite a few people in the water so I felt better about swimming. I think, if we were there alone, I probably wouldn't have been able to convince myself to get in.
The plunge pool is surrounded by really pretty rainforest vegetation and high, red rock cliff faces. It is a really pretty location for a swim. The water was comfortable, not freezing but not warm, and has patches that are shallow enough for an adult to stand up and other parts where it is 14m deep in the dry season. We swam over to the lesser of the two falls. Rory even managed it with his Wahu vest and arm floaties. He sure loves swimming and these help him stay above water comfortably but still be able to learn the swimming motion. He is such a daredevil that after Greg climbed up onto a rock and jumped in, he wanted to as well. So Greg helped him up onto a much lower rock and he got to jump in as well. You should have seen his beaming face! Tilda had her snorkel and really enjoyed snorkelling. She kept finding fish of all shapes and sizes; some really were quite large! We didn't see any turtles or crocodiles (thank goodness!).
I had to include this final photo and the funny story that goes with it. While Greg swam out to the bigger of the 2 falls, the kids and I were playing on these steps. There are another set of steps which are the main entry point so it was just the three of us. There was fairly large (2 foot) piece of timber floating in the water and when Rory saw it he became adamant it was a crocodile and was quite scared. When Greg swum back in I got him to bring the log with him to prove it wasn't a croc. Rory adopted it immediately as his "pet crocodile" and was swimming it around and having fun with it. When it was time to leave I told him it had to stay behind (so he cried) and so Tilda pushed it out into the water a little way away from the steps. As we were getting dry and sorted, a grey nomad tour group arrived. One of them spotted the log and suspected it was a crocodile. Next followed various grey nomads to check it out, some taking photos of it, as they wondered if it was a crocodile. The kids, Tilda particularly, thought it was hilarious that they had fooled the older folk.
And finally, if you can only get to one National Park and don't have a 4WD or a lot of time, definitely go to Litchfield. It is beautiful and completely worth the visit to see the waterfalls, the monsoonal rainforests and to swim in the plunge pools.
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