Australia’s shoreline is lined with lovely seashores and loads of incredible swimming alternatives.
However these aren’t your solely choices for a dip.
In truth, a number of the nation’s finest water experiences will be discovered inland within the Northern Territory.
Unimaginable contemporary water rock holes, pure infinity swimming pools with a view and waterfalls provide the proper refreshment within the tropical local weather of the NT.
Many of those fall inside two nationwide parks: Kakadu and Litchfield. Each inside a couple of hours drive from Darwin, the state’s capital.
Kakadu Nationwide Park is Australia’s largest terrestrial nationwide park and covers virtually 20,000 sq. kilometres. That includes flood plains, rocky cliffs and main river techniques, the park is house to an enormous variety of vegetation and wildlife, together with greater than one-third of Australia’s hen species and one-quarter of its freshwater and estuarine fish species and roughly 60 mammal species.
It's a excellent place to start out your wild swimming exploration.
Jim Jim Falls is one in every of Kakadu’s most spectacular falls, with water gliding 150m over crimson cliffs right into a pool under.
It’s this pool that marks our first cease on this wild swimming journey. The chilly water is a refreshing deal with after the pretty difficult 1km stroll from the automobile park.
From Jim Jim, it’s an hour and 40 minute drive to the subsequent watering gap at Maguk – although chances are you'll want to spend the night time at Cooinda Lodge in between.
The Lodge affords tenting, glamping and Lodge rooms with a bistro and lagoon type pool – for some much less wild however equally beautiful swimming.
It’s additionally the proper base to take a cruise on the Yellow Water Billabong, the place you would possibly spot saltwater crocodiles, an array of birdlife and delightful native vegetation and timber. Although not a swimming spot, it’s completely value together with in your go to to Kakadu Nationwide Park.
A notice on water security:
Saltwater crocodiles stay within the Northern Territory and will be present in Kakadu, Litchfield, Nitmiluk and Elsey Nationwide Parks. R
angers patrol the parks and verify swimming pools for crocodile exercise, so earlier than you swim, verify signage and ensure it's a designated swimming space and is at present open.
Freshwater crocodiles additionally inhabit many waterways however are usually not thought-about harmful to people.
Examine the Northern Territory Tourism web site for more information.
Maguk can also be positioned on the backside of a waterfall, although a a lot smaller one than Jim Jim.
In truth you possibly can swim proper below the cascading water for a calming therapeutic massage. It’s additionally value bringing a snorkel or some googles to this pool, as under the floor are numerous fish species to identify.
This pool can also be reached by way of a 1km stroll, that passes by way of monsoon rainforest and a bouldered river part.
Subsequent up is Litchfield Nationwide Park. Positioned about two hours drive from Kakadu, Litchfield is a swimmer’s paradise with lovely rock swimming pools to wash and loosen up in.
It’s a lot smaller than Kakadu and might simply be visited in a day, with many individuals making the day journey from Darwin. Nevertheless, in the event you keep the night time you possibly can head to the swimming pools early and have all of them to your self.
Lower than half-hour drive from the parks southern entrance is Buley Rockhole. This spot has swimming pools for all necessities. Whether or not you wish to swim, wallow in shallow water or soar off rocks into deep water holes, you’ll discover it at Buley.
The cascading freshwater swimming pools are a really brief stroll from the automobile park which means it’s an amazing place to convey a picnic and arrange on the rocks. You may also spend the night time on the close by campsite.
A five-minute drive from Buley is Florence Falls. You first see the falls from above, by way of a scenic viewing platform earlier than starting your descent down the 160 stairs to the pool. It’s deep and clear and the proper swimming spot, shaded from the solar by the towering rocks round it.
When you don’t fancy taking the steps again up, there's a extra leisurely 1km monitor that loops again by way of the forest to the automobile park.
Wangi Falls is the ultimate cease in Litchfield Nationwide Park and it’s a great one.
The biggest of the swimming pools, Wangi is a superb spot for some correct swimming. The waterfall drops from 84 metres into the pool and in the event you look fastidiously, you’ll spot a couple of mini water crammed swimming pools within the rocks alongside the waterfall.
There are a couple of brief walks right here for various viewing factors of the falls, which you'll be able to take earlier than or after a dip and also you’ll additionally discover a cafe and huge picnic space.
From Wangi, it’s an hour and a half drive again to Darwin.
Litchfield and Kakadu aren’t the one spots for wild swimming within the Northern Territory. In case you have extra time, proceed south to Katherine the place you’ll discover one other nice choice of swimming holes together with:
Edith Falls/Leliyn
Positioned in Nitmiluk Nationwide Park, the pool is surrounded by pandanus vegetation on the base of the gorgeous waterfall.
Bitter Springs
In Elsey Nationwide Park, Bitter Springs is a spring fed thermal pool, with shiny blue water. The proper spot to loosen up and unwind.
The place to remain within the Northern Territory
Cooinda Lodge is an outback retreat with tenting, glamping and lodges and has an enormous lagoon-style pool. Costs from £83 ($149 AUD) for lodges and glamping or £17 ($30 AUD) for unpowered and £22 ($40 AUD) for powered websites per night time.
Litchfield Outback Resort is positioned simply outdoors the doorway to Litchfield Nationwide Park and has motel type rooms and tenting in addition to a restaurant and bar. Rooms from £73 ($130 AUD). Tenting from £11 ($20 AUD).
Beagle Motor Inn is an reasonably priced motel inside driving distance to each Nitmiluk and Elsey Nationwide Parks. Rooms begin at £47 ($85 AUD) per night time.
Easy methods to get to the Northern Territory
Singapore Airways fly London to Darwin by way of Singapore from £740 return in financial system.
Hayley Lewis is a journey author, blogger and producer. For a Clare Valley itinerary head to alovelyplanet.com or comply with Hayley on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter or Fb.
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