Who would have known that there are so many waterfalls with water holes at Litchfield National Park.

We had heard many people rave about how you must see Litchfield, but never understood why they were so adamant about it until we actually experienced it.

Let me share the experience that we had today with you and hopefully you also will have the chance to discover it yourself one day too.

It was a easy 2 hour drive from Darwin through Bachelor to enter the park. We headed into the tiny town of Bachelor to stop at the tourist information centre for a map of the park. You can also download a phone version online if you want to save on paper.

The first stop on the map was the Cathedral Termite mounds, they were 5 metres and 50 years old. We also saw them throughout the park as we went and awed at there density.

Next was my favourite spot, Florence Falls. At the lookout we spotted two large cascading waterfalls. We made the choice to hike down the 135 steep steps instead of the 1km walk to the plunge pool below. Boy it was worth it! As soon as my foot touched the water it was greeted with cool, refreshing clear water. The edge had stairs to enter it and I could only just touch the bottom. Around one of the edges was a rocky outcropping with large black fish swimming about, and we had wished we had brought our snorkels with us to check them out as they were extremely friendly. One fish decided on touching (maybe nibbled) hubby, which made us a little more aware of their presence. They didn’t follow us into the deeper waters,we hope. After the quick refreshing dip we headed back to the car and on to Buley Waterhole.

This was quite a popular spot, with many people seeking out a relaxing place to chill in and by the water. Buley Rockholes had several rocky pools varying in depth and size, that you can access by the walkway and the rock pools are all joined by small waterfalls in between. After sitting in a few pools and sliding down a few baby waterfalls we were off again to explore the next place.

We made a brief stop at tabletop swamp for a photo and then drove to Tolmer falls.

The lookout was lovely at Tolmer falls you could see over the canopy of trees and see the falls in the distance.

Last on my list was Wangi Falls, I wasn’t sure if we were going to be able to swim because sometimes crocs are spotted after a decent amount of rain. To my joy it was open and it was such a beautiful location. They had a cafe and picnic areas with bbq facilities and toilets. And to top it off it was only a easy and short walk to the falls.

At the waters edge we were greeted by little fish this time and I brought my goggles to check them out closely. The water was again cool and didn’t have such a deep entry as Florence. The swim across the waterhole to the falls was a good 500m and deep, so I only reccomend it to those who are decent swimmers. The little waterfall to the left side was easier to get to the one on the right and it had rock ledges that you could rest on and enjoy being right up close next to the falls. Wangi falls is definitely a close second favourite in my books and I can see it being people’s favourites due to the easy access and family friendly facilities.

We did Litchfield in a easy one day drive, but I can picture myself packing a picnic lunch and staying at any of the waterfall locations for a fun day out with family and friends.

Stepping out onto the boiling hot red earth was an experience in itself, the sand creeping into my thongs, sun kissing my toes and making me run for a more cooler location and a more sensible choice in shoes.

We had arrived at Uluru, driven the road in and parked at Kuniya Walk. We headed down the track to the Mutitjula waterhole spotting small caves and ancient ochre painted walls telling a story in them.

When we reached the waterhole we watched the water bugs dance across the surface, making tiny ripples as they moved. Mutitjula waterhole was so calm, quiet and a beautiful place to sit and listen to the water trickling down Uluru into the water hole below.

We looked up and spotted holes in the upper section of the rock, and as you looked harder you could see that nature had created a heart shaped indentation which the birds used to make their nests in.

I couldn’t believe how lucky and privileged I was to be standing here at one of the great wonders of the world. A sacred place to the Anangu people and a spot that I had for so long wanted to explore.

Omg! We just had the most thrilling, exciting and memorable experience ever!

It all started when I decided that we should head out to Uluru to see if there was raining out at Uluru. It had been raining consistently for a few hours at the campsite and the sun was starting to set so we made the spontaneous decision to head out to see the sunset and see if it was raining at Uluru.

The drive in felt like forever, I bounced up and down eager to reach the rock. We stopped briefly at the sunset lookout, but we still weren’t close enough to tell if there was water flowing down it. So we raced off again to the Mutitjula waterhole hoping that was our best chance to spot water.

As we drove around the second last bend we saw it! Water! Wonderful flowing water down the middle of Uluru.

My heart was instantly filled with so much joy and disbelief that I could possibly be witnessing this amazing moment in nature’s history.

Seeing rain is rare enough out here let alone seeing water gushing down on this amazing rock.

We pulled up knowing we were fighting time to walk to the waterfall and waterhole before the sun had gone down completely.

We marched off, well… I may have been slightly galloping and jumping over all the puddles in my path. I got to the waterhole in record time. And low and behold there in front of me was the purest sight ever. There was water everywhere. A creek was running alongside the edge of the rock and a huge waterhole had formed under the waterfall. The water was creeping higher every second and I very quickly realized that I had to get a photo and get out out of there before the whole platform I was standing on flooded.

We dashed back along the track that was covered with large puddles, trying to beat the water rising and the lack of sun in the sky. We could see the car 100m ahead, but then lightning started all around us, above us and across the sky. My heart was racing and so was my legs trying to get back to the car before we were hit by lightning.

Relief came when we got into the car and could breath again. We drove off knowing we would have to take the long route back all the way around the rock as it was the safest route out. We had spotted just that very morning a tree had been struck by lightning next to the road in the other direction. So the long way around was our best bet. Lightning was still hitting from behind, in front and above the rock as we drove around it, we hoped that we would not be the next thing to be hit.

The further we were away from the storm the calmer I slowly became. Then the realization hit me that I had just witnessed one of the most spectacular events in history and I am forever grateful for this time spent in the red centre and in the presence of Uluru especially when it was pouring with waterfalls!

We have spent the past six days in Darwin and there has definitely been a few things we have noticed that Darwin likes to surprise you with that other cities don’t have.

You know it’s the wet season in Darwin when……

1. You deliberately have a cold shower and it’s still feels like a hot one.

2. When the shade of trees is searched out and fought over by animals and humans alike.

3. When the washing thats almost dry starts sweating itself due to the humidity.

4. When the cold water is warm no matter how long you run it for.

5. When you are worried about water getting into your fuel tank if you take the cap off because of the instant condensation.

6. When you have never swam in pools so much in your life, but the water is never cool.

7. When you can’t tell if you are sweating or it’s raining.

8. When crocodile infested water looks so tempting you contemplate swimming, thinking the crocs will be slow and uninterested in you.

9. When you brace yourself before heading out of air conditioned places because you know you will be hit in the face with the intense oven like heat.

10. When you think the caravan is leaking from the roof, but you realise it is only the condensation collecting and dripping.

Glimpsing the first sight of Uluru, send a wave of excitement through me. There’s just something magical about being in the presence of such a huge magnificent red rock.

I had so many thoughts running through my head of what I wanted to do while in the red centre of Australia.

1. I wanted to up close and personal to the rock, to walk right up close and reach out to touch it.

2. To walk around its paths and discover hidden spots to sit and enjoy the surroundings.

3. To watch the changing colours of Uluru as the sun moves across the sky.

4. To see all the native flora and fauna of the local area.

5. And to share this experience with my family and celebrate in there joy of seeing the rock.