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The Cascades, Litchfield NP, NTWaterfall Seasons - The Waterfall Guide
The Cascades is a wide rock lava flow of around 200 metres in length, over which a local stream trickles.
The largest fall is at the downstream end of the Cascades, with a drop of about 3-4 metres. Most of the cascades
have a drop of around half a metre to one metre.
Above: The Cascades
(Order this image)
Reaching the Cascades is more difficult than many other waterfalls in Litchfield National Park, which means that it is less crowded than its more famous neighbours.
The first 20 minutes of the walk from the car park is across flat, open ground with little shade. The heat across this section can be sapping, so wear a hat and bring some water. At the junction, I took the track to the lower cascades, which is the more popular route.
As you near the Cascades, the track
narrows, becomes undulating and the rock underneath is orientated at awkward angles that stress your ankles.
The best advice I can offer about the Cascades is to wear sturdy footwear. There are also two daring river
crossings over felled logs to test your balance. The Cascades are not well signposted on the walking track
but you’ll recognize them when you arrive.
Once you get there you can frolic along the length and breadth of the Cascades. It is difficult to photograph the length of the Cascades, because there are no well elevated viewpoints, but there are plenty of unique and interesting pools that you can study close up. There are no facilities at the Cascades, so make sure you have made your toilet stop at the car park and are carrying plenty of water and snacks before you leave your car.
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Above: The Cascades
(Order this image)
Reaching the Cascades is more difficult than many other waterfalls in Litchfield National Park, which means that it is less crowded than its more famous neighbours.
The first 20 minutes of the walk from the car park is across flat, open ground with little shade. The heat across this section can be sapping, so wear a hat and bring some water. At the junction, I took the track to the lower cascades, which is the more popular route.
Once you get there you can frolic along the length and breadth of the Cascades. It is difficult to photograph the length of the Cascades, because there are no well elevated viewpoints, but there are plenty of unique and interesting pools that you can study close up. There are no facilities at the Cascades, so make sure you have made your toilet stop at the car park and are carrying plenty of water and snacks before you leave your car.
Your Seasonal Guide:
| Best Time of Year to Visit: | Best Time of Day to Visit: |
|---|---|
| Visit in the dry season (approx. May-Oct). Unclear whether this creek dries up late in the dry season, so best to visit early in the dry season until someone tells me otherwise. | Visit in the morning. The scorching heat across the exposed plain on the way to the Cascades can be exhausting in the middle of the day and afternoon. |
Other Information Before You Go:
Location: Litchfield National Park, 140 km (approx. 2 hour 20 minute drive) south-west of the Darwin city centre
Latitude:-13.121885 Longitude:130.669152
Getting there: From Darwin take the Stuart Hwy southwards and turn off at the signs to Litchfield National Park (via Batchelor). The turnoff to the Cascades is well signposted. From the car park it is about a 20-30 minute walk to The Cascades.
Water source: Unnamed tributary of the Reynolds River
Approx. height: 10 m
Approx. width: 40 m
Approx. length: 200 m
Swimming available at the falls: Yes
Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables (at the car park only)
Entrance fee: Not applicable
Opening times: Always open
Sun shade: Shade is limited, both at the Cascades and on the walking track to get there.
Wheelchair access: None
Prohibitions: No swimming during the wet season due to crocodiles
Managing authority: NT Parks and Wildlife Service
Nearby attractions: Wangi Falls is around the corner
Before you head out, make sure to read the
waterfall 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.
Latitude:-13.121885 Longitude:130.669152
Getting there: From Darwin take the Stuart Hwy southwards and turn off at the signs to Litchfield National Park (via Batchelor). The turnoff to the Cascades is well signposted. From the car park it is about a 20-30 minute walk to The Cascades.
Water source: Unnamed tributary of the Reynolds River
Approx. height: 10 m
Approx. width: 40 m
Approx. length: 200 m
Swimming available at the falls: Yes
Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables (at the car park only)
Entrance fee: Not applicable
Opening times: Always open
Sun shade: Shade is limited, both at the Cascades and on the walking track to get there.
Wheelchair access: None
Prohibitions: No swimming during the wet season due to crocodiles
Managing authority: NT Parks and Wildlife Service
Nearby attractions: Wangi Falls is around the corner
Locality Map:
The marker indicates the approximate location of the car park at the start of the walk to the falls. If the map is not zoomed in locally, as can occur with some browsers, simply refresh this web page.
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