Batchelor
Is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. The town is located in the Coomalie Local Government Area, 98 kilometres (61 mi) south of the territory capital, Darwin. At the 2001 census, Batchelor had a population of 718 with 39% of indigenous origin. Batchelor was named after Lee Batchelor, who was responsible for the Northern Territory when it was ceded to the Government of Australia by South Australia in 1908. It is an entry point for travellers to Litchfield National Park, and previously serviced the Rum Jungle uranium mine. The major employment industries in Batchelor are education, tourism and horticulture. The town is home to a TAFE and higher education college, the Batchelor Institute, with a strong focus on delivery higher educational outcomes for indigenous students from around Australia.
Batchelor Butterfly Farm and Tropical Retreat
Batchelor Butterfly Farm and Tropical Retreat
8 Meneling Road
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
The Batchelor Butterfly Farm and Tropical Retreat offers the Northern Territory its first and only butterfly sanctuary. Located just 15 minutes from Litchfield National Park, you’re invited to experience the tranquillity of the rainforest butterfly enclosure. As you walk through the very unique gardens, planted for their ability to attract and feed butterflies, you will be charmed by both the tropical and native butterflies as they dance in the canopies and feed from the fruits and flowers. The climate of the Top End allows the enclosure to be a completely natural habitat with the butterflies existing freely within. The colony of native turtles also enjoy visitors and are often found basking on logs at ‘Turtle Beach’ while the waterfalls, streams and ponds throughout the gardens will ensure your Top End experience is unforgettable.
The organic farm grows much of the produce used in the ‘Long Table’ restaurant. Visitors have the opportunity to see bunches of star fruit, banana hands, paw paws, beds of fresh herbs, tomato filled wines, and other fruits both tropical and wild. Access to the gardens is daily from 9.30am to 4pm and self guided tours operate throughout the day, with occasional butterfly releases into the enclosure. You can stroll through the lush tropical gardens at your leisure and learn the history of the farm and the life cycle of the butterflies. A map of the property and a handy information flyer is supplied. For those needing that extra bit of hospitality, why not relax on the daybed on the cool and shady veranda, while indulging in something refreshing from the cafe. Accommodation is also available at the property.
Blyth Homestead
Blyth Homestead
Litchfield National Park
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
The historic Blyth Homestead is found within Litchfield National Park, and is also the location of an old tin mine, which is now in ruins. The homestead site serves as a reminder of the tough conditions faced by pioneers in remote areas. Built by the Sargent Family in 1929, the homestead was abandoned in the early 1960s. It has recently been restored and an interpretive display presents the trials and tragedies of this remote site. Access to the homestead is by four-wheel drive only.
Daily, 24 hours. Road is inaccessible between November and April.
Buley Rockhole
Buley Rockhole
Litchfield National Park
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
Enjoy a refreshing swim in the cascading pools of Buley Rockhole. This popular swimming spot, in the magnificent Litchfield National Park, is a great place to wind down after exploring the park. Wade through the pools, absorb the scenic bush surrounds or sit and relax, as the cool water rolls over your shoulders.
Open daily, 24 hours.
Coomalie Cultural Centre
Coomalie Cultural Centre
Batchelor Institue of Indigenous Tertiary Education
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
Located en-route to Litchfield National Park, the Coomalie Cultural Centre houses a diverse range of distinctive Australian indigenous artworks from across the Top End and Central Australia. As you browse through the centre, see striking works on paperbark, paper, canvas, printed textiles, carvings, didjeridoos, fibre weavings, and occasionally, rare traditional ceremonial items or artifacts. Discover the unique bush tucker garden and colourful mural surrounding the centre that was created by students from the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education. You can also purchase a piece of indigenous artwork or craft from the centre’s retail outlet. The centre is committed to nurturing new indigenous artists and promoting their works, and conducts artists’ residencies, exhibitions, as well as cultural projects, displays and performances.
Florence Creek Walk
The Coomalie Cultural Centre is situated at the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education Campus in Batchelor. Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 2pm. Other times by appointment.
Florence Creek Walk
off Litchfield Park Road
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
Forming part of the Tabletop Track in Litchfield National Park, Florence Creek Walk is a six kilometre round trip leaving from either Florence Falls picnic area or Buley Rockhole. You’ll pass through fascinating pockets of cool monsoon rainforest inhabited by a variety of birdlife. Spot kingfishers, honey-eaters, fairy-wrens and pigeons. Other wildlife may be seen along the way such as brown bandicoots and northern quolls. Or you might be lucky enough to see black flying foxes (bats) roosting in the trees.
Florence Falls
Daily, 24 hours. Closure of some parts of the track during the Tropical Summer, September to May.
Florence Falls
off Litchfield Park Road
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
Found in Litchfield National Park, the spectacular Florence Falls cascade into a plunge pool, set in a pocket of monsoon forest. Take a refreshing dip in the plunge pool, then enjoy a scenic walk to the viewing platform high above the falls, which affords panoramic views of the open valley and the waterhole below.
Open daily, 24 hours.
Greenant Creek Walk
Greenant Creek Walk
Wangi Falls, off Litchifled Park Road
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
The Greenant Creek Walk is a 2.7 kilometre return walk, starting at the bridge across Greenant. This shady walk follows the upstream and climbs steeply to Tjaetabe Falls. The Greenant Creek Walk also forms part of the Tabletop Track in Litchfield National Park, and takes you from Greenant Creek through to popular Wangi Falls. The creeks and springs around this region have a constant supply of water, thereby creating an abundance of remarkable flora and fauna. See tall Carpentaria palms, fig trees and weeping paperbark trees, while along the forest floor you can spot geckos, lizards and frogs. This walk is graded as difficult, as there are some steep inclines, so allow one to two days to complete.
Please note – The area around Greenant Creek and Tjaetaba Falls is an Aboriginal sacred site, and the custodians request that visitors only swim above the falls. Camping fees apply in the park, please contact Park Headquarters at Batchelor for a map and permit information. Daily, 24 hours. Closure of some parts of the track during the Tropical Summer, September to May.
Lake Bennett
Lake Bennett
Chinner Road
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
Lake Bennett is located 87 kilometres south of Darwin on the Stuart Highway, near the small town of Batchelor. This man made lake is ideal for safe swimming, canoeing and fishing. The lake is mainly stocked with barramundi. Other activities include a golf driving range, mini golf, mountain biking, kyacking, bushwalking and bird watching. Lake Bennett Wilderness Resort is situated on the banks of Lake Bennetter and offers accommodation, conference facilities, licensed restaurant and bar.
Litchfield Cafe
Litchfield Cafe
Four kilometres north of Wangi Falls turnoff, Litchfield Tourism Precinct
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
This family owned and operated business is only four kilometres from Wangi Falls. The entry is on the left, four kilometres past the Wangi Falls turn off, when coming via Batchelor. Litchfield Cafe is an oasis for visitors to the park. Enjoy freshly prepared home-style cooking, great coffee, cold beer, wine, soft drinks and ice creams. Try some of their world famous Mango Cheesecake. Relax in the air conditioned Cafe, on the veranda or out on the extensive lawns.
Meals include grilled local barra or kangaroo with salad, burgers and sandwiches. There is a selection of wines, beers, soft drinks and juices, ice reams and cakes. Dinner bookings are essential with the last orders taken at 6.45pm.
Public Holiday: Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day. Litchfield Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8.30am to 7pm, seven days a week from April to the end of November. December to the end of March from 10am to 2pm daily – please note opening times can vary.
Litchfield National Park
Litchfield National Park
Litchfield Park Road
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
Litchfield National Park is an easy hour-and-a-half journey from Darwin, and is one of the Top End’s hidden treasures. This unspoiled wilderness boasts monsoon rainforests, cascading waterfalls, diverse flora and fauna and impressive natural formations. Travellers can cool off with a swim in the plunge pool below Florence Falls, wade through a series of rocky pools at Buley Rockhole, view magnetic termite mounds, visit Wangi Falls and Tolmer Falls or explore the sandstone towers of the Lost City. Litchfield National Park’s closest service point is Batchelor, offering a range of accommodation and facilities. Have a snack at the Batchelor Butterfly and Petting Farm, drop into the Coomalie Cultural Centre to browse its presentation of indigenous arts and crafts or admire the miniature replica of Karlstein Castle.
Litchfield National Park is important to the Koongurrukun, Marranunggu, Werat and Waray Aboriginal people, whose ancestral spirits formed the landscape, plants and animals and are still present in the landscape today. The Finniss exploration was the first European connection within the area and a member of that expedition, Frederick Henry Litchfield, has been remembered in the national park’s name. For almost 75 years until 1955, the area was subject to tin and copper mining and then fell under pastoral leases until the park became a reality.
Open daily, 24 hours. Closure of some attractions within the park are possible during the Tropical Summer, between November and April.
Magnetic Termite Mounds
Magnetic Termite Mounds
Litchfield Park Road
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
One of Litchfield National Park’s unique sights is the hundreds of termite mounds standing up to two metres high in a wide swathe of empty ground. The mounds are like enormous magnetic compasses, with their thin edges pointing north south and broad backs east west minimising their exposure to the sun, keeping the mounds cool for the termites inside. Nearby, a large cathedral termite mound stands. An information shelter provides a fascinating insight into these remarkable creatures and their habitat.
Open daily, 24 hours.
Tabletop Track
Wangi Falls Road
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
The Tabletop Track, within Litchfield National Park, is a 39 kilometre bushwalk taking you along trickling creeklines, cascading waterfalls, crystal clear pools and undisturbed pockets of tropical monsoon rainforest. As you walk along this spectacular track,
Tabletop Track
spot some of the local wildlife such as wallabies, possums, and flying foxes. Pause or camp overnight at one of the shady picnic spots along the way at Florence Falls, Tabletop Swamp, Greenant Creek or cool off with a refreshing dip at Wangi or Florence Falls.
The whole circuit can be completed in three to five days. However, there is also the option to complete one of the link walks for a shorter bushwalking experience. Ranging from moderate to difficult, the track can be accessed via one of the link walks at Florence Falls, Greenant Creek, Wangi Falls and Walker Creek. Camping fees apply in the park, please contact Park Headquarters at Batchelor for a map and permit information. Daily, 24 hours. Closure of some parts of the track during the Tropical Summer, between September and May.
Tjaetaba Falls
Tjaetaba Falls
off Litchfield Park Road
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
Take the enjoyable Greenant Creek Walk to the top of Tjaetaba Falls, in Litchfield National Park. This attractive waterway is one of the smaller systems in the park. It’s also a serene place to just sit and appreciate the bushland surrounds with a picnic lunch or spot the local wildlife such as wallaroos (small kangaroo). Picnic tables are located between Greenant Creek and the car park. Please note Tjaetaba Falls and the area below them is an Aboriginal sacred site and visitors are requested to respect the custodian’s wishes and only swim above the falls.
Open daily, 24 hours depending on seasonal weather.
Tjaynera / Sandy Creek Falls
Tjaynera Sandy Creek Falls
off Litchfield Park Road
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
The Tjaynera / Sandy Creek Falls are located 1.7 kilometres south of Blyth Homestead, via a four-wheel-drive track nestled in the magnificent Litchfield National Park. Enjoy the stunning views of the open valley, sit down to a picnic lunch or take a refreshing dip in the large plunge pool beneath the falls.
Open daily, 24 hours. Subject to closure during the Tropical Summer, between November and April.
Tolmer Falls
Tolmer Falls
off Litchfield Park Road
Batchelor
Northern Territory
Australia
Tolmer Falls, in magnificent Litchfield National Park, cascades over high escarpments into a deep plunge pool. A short walk takes you to a viewing platform at the top of the most spectacular waterfalls in the park. Access to the bottom of the falls has been restricted to protect the habitat of colonies of ghost bats and orange horseshoe bats. Continue on the walk past some pristine small rock pools above the falls.
Open daily, 24 hours.
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