The list of attractions at Northern Territory’s iconic Litchfield National Park is about to get longer with more waterfalls to be made accessible to visitors, and several new campgrounds to be built.
The NT Government is to invest $12.1 million funding five new swimming spots that will be accessible by 4WD and creating at least three new campgrounds. The money will also be used to deliver some 40 kilometres of new 4WD tracks, mountain bike trails, and a minimum of one additional picnic area.
Parks and Wildlife’s Top End district manager Lincoln Wilson told the ABC that the 1,500 square kilometre park had been targeted for investment because it had the highest visitation, almost 370,000 people a year.
However he said this was concentrated in Litchfield’s north. The new investment would open up central areas, bringing an additional 60,000 visitors annually.
“There are some real jewels out there in central Litchfield,” he said.
In the long term Mr Wilson hoped to see the park development extend from the most southern areas near Daly River all the way up to Florence Falls.
As these areas became accessible, he told the ABC there would be potential for small business ventures in everything from cafe food to white water rafting adventures, as long as they worked in conjunction with native title holders and key stakeholders.
Development of the new projects will start this dry season and should be completed within 12 months.
The package was part of the Territory Government’s $103 million tourism stimulus plan.
• What do you think of the plans for Litchfield? Comment below.
Oh another waterfall hmmm