Camping in the tropical bush is true immersion in nature! We share every inch of space with an animal of some kind….. frogs, lizards, grasshoppers, birds or the spiders poised in their webs overhead.
Right now is the the tail-end of the wet season. The last of the monsoon rains are flushing the landscape, swelling creeks and rivers, and culminating in raging waterfalls.
Our first experience of this raw power was in Nitmiluk National Park. As we photographed the stunning Edith Falls, the sky became dark and ominous, but the light was amazing, so we kept saying “we’ll stay one more minute”. But we ended up running 1km back to the car through torrential rain, claps of thunder shaking the ground, and lightning going off like fireworks from all directions. These storms are incredible!
Between the storms are clear sunny skies and intense heat. The plunge pool beneath Florence Falls, Litchfield National Park, offered pure heaven – a revitalizing swim to cool us down.
Florence Falls
Of course, no matter how idyllic the pools here look, not all are swimmer friendly. This is the wild Northern Territory, and there is one warning sign you don’t question…. the “crocodile safety” one.
For that very reason, we admired Wangi Falls from the safety of the footpath, watching the torrents of water cascade down the 84m sheer cliffs. Little agile wallabies grazed around us and flying foxes shouted and squabbled in the trees overhead.
Wangi Falls (taken under permit from Dept of Environment, Parks & Water Security
The most popular time to visit the top end is the dry season, when water levels drop and more areas are accessible. But there is really nothing like seeing the full waterways, the raging waterfalls and the crazy storms of the wet!
Flying Fox
We acknowledge the traditional owners of Litchfield NP & Nitmiluk NP, the Wangait and Jawoyn people, and thank them for welcoming us to their beautiful country.
Agile Wallaby
Photos by Scott Portelli & Rosie Leaney using Olympus OMD Cameras