Litchfield National Park Draft Plan of Management Executive Summary

The park and its values

Litchfield National Park is renowned for spectacular waterfalls, safe swimming and opportunities to experience the rugged landscapes of the Top End. The park is located 120km south of Darwin, covers about 145 600ha and received about 330 000 visitors in 2014. It is one of the most highly visited parks in the and is a key driver of tourism in the Top End and Batchelor area.

It is a popular destination for Darwin residents, interstate and international visitors. Its close proximity to Darwin and the range of activities (swimming, walking, camping, four-wheel driving, extended bushwalking, fishing, nature appreciation) and different standards of facilities (highly developed to natural) provide significant recreation and tourism opportunities for visitors.

Visitor experiences in the park will be enhanced through the implementation of the Litchfield National Park Visitor Experience Development Plan which was released with funding in early 2015. These works will include a redesign of the Buley Rockhole site, enhanced facilities at , enhanced facilities and increased camping at , a redesign of the campground and new boardwalks and amenities at the Mounds site.

In April 2015, the Northern Territory Government announced it would complete the sealing of the Litchfield Park Road and construct an all-weather bridge over the Lower Finniss River. These works are due for completion in 2018 and are likely to have a significant impact on key sites and the flow of visitors through the park.

Visitors love swimming in and Buley Rockhole (Photos: M. Barritt) The park is recognised as a premier conservation reserve for its high biodiversity and large number of species of conservation value. It protects biodiversity of local and national significance, in a region that is developing rapidly. This high species diversity is due to the variety of habitats including sandstone plateaus, monsoon rainforests and swamps, woodlands and lowlands and alluvial plains. Water movement is an important factor in the shaping and maintaining of these ecosystems. The park contains water-dependent ecosystems, which are of regional significance as important wildlife habitats, including monsoon forests, riparian and floodplain habitats.

The core values of Litchfield National Park are under threat from the impacts of gamba grass (Andropogon gaynus). This aggressive weed has infested about 17% of the park leading to destructive, uncontrollable wildfires which impact on visitor safety and biodiversity values. Management of this weed is essential to ensure the long term safety of visitors and the integrity of natural values of the park. ii