Litchfield National Park's Southern Access Track

Just north of Alice

Springs

Darwin's Mindle Beach

Markets

Didg stall at Mindle

Beach Market

Last night in Darwin, my

kit

Aboriginal Painting in the

gateway town of

Batchelor - the last town

before Litchfield NP

2 hours riding, arrived at

Litchfield

I follow the route from

west to Wangi Falls and

then off road on the trail

leading south to north of

Daly River

Gotta push on, Litchfield

Park Road - make the

most of tarmac

The grave yard like

Termite Mounds

Buley Rock Hole

There be crocs round

here!

Florence Falls

The 2nd nights camp

spot at Wangi Falls,

western side of the park. 

Last time I see people

for 3 days.

3rd day, destination -

Surprise Creek

Sandy Creek, 9am, how

beautiful?

Sandy Creek (Tjaynera

Falls)

Lunch!

En route to Prospect Hill

A bit confused as to

where I am. The map

wasn't much good - or

should I say I couldn't

work out where I was on

the map??

Mistake Creek

Paradise. Me, the bike

and the trail - 5km from

Surprise Creek

Camel Toe Anyone?

Looking out for crocs

before topping up water

At last, Surprise Creek

A little lizard comes to

visit

4th Day, Surprise Falls

6am

Press on, getting hot

now

184km

Not seen anyone for 3

days..

except a roo!

The end of the trail,

194km completed

194 km done, 110 to go

Back on the road, 35

degrees at 3pm

Boost food at 5pm

Anyone bring lights? A

torch will have to do

Rocked into Adelaide

River at 8.30pm after

10hrs riding

273km from the start,

the Adelaide River Inn

Northern Territory 2005

Page 1

The Track Less Travelled - Litchfield National Park's Southern Access Track

In September '05 I rode the little known Southern Access Track in the northern territory of Australia, a four day off road track that I

stumbled on in a map on the internet.  Thing is I didn't book mark the trail.  I tried to find the trail a number of times again but couldn't - it

was as if the track never existed.  This was the fuel for the trip. 

I remembered the track starting from south of Wangi Falls and I knew a road could get me from to the eastern edge of the park to the

west.  I rang up National Parks and the local Police in Darwin but no one had heard of the track.  The best I got was the land lord in the

local pub in Daly River, he had heard of it but hadn't of anyone coming through that way in years.  So I thought I may as well see for

myself if this trail really does exist or not.

I wrote this trip up for an Australian Mountain Bike Magazine and was fortunate enough to have it published in the June/July 2006

issue.  www.emap.com.au

Total Distance: 274km round trip

Number of Days Camping: 4

Food and Water

You'll find the Batcheor Service Station 12km off the Stuart Highway.  Wangi Falls has a small shop where you can buy cooked food

like hamburgers and chips, and it has a good stock of hot and cold drinks.  I carried just shy of 9 litres of fluid per day, both water and

sports mixture.  Once you leave Wangi Falls you're on your own for a couple of days.

Dangers

Crocodiles (both freshwater and saltwater) do inhabit some of the areas of Litchfield National Park.  National Parks informed me they

cannot possibly check all the waterholes in the park especially in areas off the beaten track (such as this one).  Stick to the shallow

waters of the creeks and avoid entering if possible.  If you do spot any crocs be sure to let National Parks know so they can update

their records.

Maps

Austraia's Northern Territory: Litchfield National Park Edition 5 published by the Northern Territory Government

Beware - the rivers depicted may be dried up.  It is essential to seek advice from National Parks before attempting this ride - phone 08

8999 4555.