62-630: Litchfield National Park , covering approximately 1500 km, is near the township of Batchelor , 100 km south-west of Darwin , in the Northern Territory of Australia . Each year the park attracts over 260,000 visitors. Proclaimed a national park in 1986, it is named after Frederick Henry Litchfield , a Territory pioneer, who explored areas of the Northern Territory from Escape Cliffs in Van Diemen Gulf to
124-445: A flagstone floor; a scatter of corrugated iron, sandstone blocks and other metal objects; and a set of stockyards constructed using bush timber poles and barbed wire The homestead was established in 1928 to function as an outstation on Stapleton Station, then owned by Harry Sargent and his family. It was constructed using bush timber (cypress pine) and iron in the form of a large central room that could be closed up with verandahs around
186-572: A half kilometre walk, which forms part of the Tabletop Track in Litchfield National Park, takes you from Greenant Creek through to Wangi Falls. The creeks and springs around this region have a constant supply of water, thereby creating an abundance of flora and fauna. There are Carpentaria palms , fig trees and weeping paperbark trees , and, along the forest floor, spot geckos, lizards and frogs. This two-day walk, part of
248-412: A library with internet access (available at a charge), which is open to the public on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, police station, post office and a public swimming pool. There are also community sports facilities including playing fields, a skate park and basketball courts. A large electricity substation owned by Power and Water Corporation is located at Batchelor and the town's power supply
310-630: A million of visitors come to the park. Closer to Darwin than the Kakadu National Park , Litchfield National Park is less than two hours drive from the city via a sealed road that connects the township of Batchelor to the Cox Peninsula Road. In 2021 a tourist from New South Wales appeared to have gone missing for two days after last being seen near the Wangi Falls campground, before being found alive and well. Most of
372-453: A north–south direction as a response to the environment. The termites which build them feed on grass roots and other plant debris found in plains which are seasonally flooded. Therefore, the termites are forced to remain above the water, in the mound. The alignment of the mound acts as a temperature regulator, and allows the temperature to remain stable. Bamboo Creek tin mine is an example of small scale, labour-intensive mine operated without
434-589: A small medical clinic operated by the Northern Territory Government, offering a general practice service on weekdays. The clinic is staffed 24 hours for emergency care. The clinic offers specialist services by appointment by way of semi-regular visits as with many remote clinics in the Northern Territory. Batchelor Health Centre is typically staffed by a primary health care manager, two GPs, two to three remote area nurses and an Aboriginal health worker. Emergency medications are kept on site, but
496-562: A supermarket. There are a number of attractions in the town area for visitors travelling between Darwin and Litchfield Park including a museum, cultural centre, butterfly sanctuary and miniature replica of Karlstein Castle . The airfield also offers scenic flights and sky diving for visitors. In 2011, it was announced that the Windy Hills Australian Game Meat company has signed an agreement to re-open and operate
558-433: Is a significant threat to the park’s biodiversity due to the frequent, high intensity, late dry season wildfires it exacerbates. The grass was introduced into the Northern Territory of Australia in 1931 for trial as cattle feed . There are now large swathes of the plant over 532,900 hectares between Darwin and Katherine. Gamba grass already accounts for as much as 20% of Litchfield National Park, around 30,000 hectares of
620-504: Is an entry point for travellers to Litchfield National Park which attracts approximately 280,000 visitors annually. Seven rangers of the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Service and the Litchfield National Park office are based in the town. The town is situated on one of two all—weather access roads to the park and a number of accommodation options are available as well as services including mechanical repairs and
682-405: Is derived from an accident that occurred in 1871. A bullock-wagon load of rum, destined for the construction gangs, was said to have been bogged near a patch of jungle on the crocodile-inhabited East Finniss River - the bullockies untethered the oxen and set about drinking the rum, having one of history's most glorious binges. Production from the open cut area started in 1953 and proved to be one of
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#1732780625047744-407: Is easily accessible and open all year round. However, swimming is not always possible due to water levels from heavy rain. Tolmer Falls cascades over two high escarpments into a deep plunge pool. The bottom of the falls is home to several colonies of rare ghost bats and orange horseshoe bats. Tjaetaba Falls is a drop along Greenant Creek, one of the smaller systems in the park. These falls and
806-488: Is home to a TAFE and higher education college, the Batchelor Institute , with a strong focus on delivering higher educational outcomes for indigenous students from around Australia. The institute has been located at its current location since 1982. At the 2011 census , 18% of Batchelor's workforce were employed in the tertiary education industry and a further 9.5% were employed in school education. The town
868-552: Is sourced from the high voltage transmission lines that run through the area between Darwin and Katherine . The town is located close to significant water resources including two major dams and ground water aquifers which provided water for drinking and irrigation. Batchelor is the main waste management facility for the Coomalie Shire. Batchelor Institute's Indigenous Media Unit holds a licence for Radio Rum Jungle, broadcast on 97.3 FM . The station has been in operation from
930-563: The Australian Atomic Energy Commission . A subsidiary company named Territory Enterprises Pty Ltd was created to manage the project, and in co-operation with the Commonwealth government constructed much of the present day town from August 1952 onwards, creating housing and amenities for workers on the project. The original design had been based around a permanent population for some 600 persons, but during
992-517: The Daly River in 1864. Aboriginal people have lived throughout the area for thousands of years. It is important to the Kungarakan and Marranunggu peoples for whom their ancestral spirits, still considered actively present in the landscape, played a seminal role in forming the landscape, plants and animals of this area. The park was named after Frederick Henry Litchfield , a member of
1054-468: The dingo . The caves near Tolmer Falls are home to a colony of the rare orange leaf-nosed bat and the ghost bat . Litchfield is a habitat for hundreds of native bird species. Black kites , and other birds of prey are common during the dry season. The yellow oriole , figbird , Pacific koel , spangled drongo , dollarbird and the rainbow bee-eater inhabit the sheltered areas close to waterfalls. A species of marsupial mouse (the northern dibbler ),
1116-471: The rufous-tailed bush-hen , a frog (the pealing chirper ) and the primitive archerfish , occur in the Wangi Falls area. Wangi, Tolmer and Florence falls and Buley Rockhole, are popular with visitors and tour groups. The falls have large pools that attract birds and reptiles such as monitors . orange-footed scrubfowl , honeyeaters , figbirds and Torres Strait pigeons share the fruit and berries in
1178-416: The wet season from November to April. High humidity and overnight temperatures as well as large thunderstorms characterise this season. Streams and rivers in the area are prone to seasonal flooding and road closures are common during the wet season. During the dry season from May to October, the overnight temperatures are cooler and the days typically warm with little rainfall or cloud cover. Batchelor has
1240-524: The 144,000-hectare park, contributing to worsening fire seasons. Researchers estimate that this will increase to as much as 30% by 2033, a major threat to the park's future due to the extreme fire risk, the severity of which can destroy locals species. Total eradication is no longer considered viable due to substantial spread since 2014. Common wildlife species include the antilopine kangaroo , agile wallaby , sugar glider , northern brushtail possum , fawn antechinus , black and little red flying foxes and
1302-414: The 1870s, with loggers and graziers facing the difficult conditions of torrential rain, mosquitoes and sandflies. In 1888 Mt Tolmer became the site of the first tin mine and produced a continual supply of tin. Bamboo Creek's tin mining operation began at Makanbarr, A Mak Mak Marranunggu campsite, in 1906. High-quality tin was often found in the ancient riverbeds and on the surface of the hills. All it needed
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#17327806250471364-771: The Aboriginal Teacher Education Centre annex of Kormilda College . In 1979, the Northern Territory Government sold many houses in Batchelor to existing residents and encouraged the development of private sector industries, including the Meneling Abattoirs and Woodcutters Mine to establish a permanent population base to ensure the ongoing viability of the town. The major employment industries in Batchelor are education , tourism and horticulture . The town
1426-727: The BIITE campus is Yera Children's service providing care for children aged 0–6 operated by One Tree Community services, a not-for-profit organisation. The primary access route between Darwin and Batchelor is via the Stuart Highway and Batchelor Road , the southern turn off for Litchfield National Park. Until its closure in 1976, the town was served by a station on the North Australia Railway . The current Adelaide-Darwin Railway alignment passes several kilometres to
1488-461: The Batchelor abattoirs to process cattle, buffalo and camel meats over an initial period of five years. The abattoirs previously contributed significantly to the local economy and jobs market, but have been closed in recent years due to unfavourable industry conditions. Mining company Compass Resources applied in 2005 to commence mining operations on the Browns Oxide project site adjacent to
1550-914: The Batchelor campus since 1987. Additionally, the Government owned Australian Broadcasting Corporation also has local transmitters for national services ABC Radio National (92.1 FM) and youth station Triple J (92.9 FM). Batchelor receives digital television services from Darwin broadcast by the Nine Network (9, GO! and Gem), Southern Cross (SC7, 7Two and 7Mate), Darwin Digital Television (10, OneHD and 11) as well as all ABC and SBS channels. Additionally, Imparja Television can be received by terrestrial analogue broadcasts. Subscription television services via satellite are also available through Austar . The Northern Territory News and Sunday Territorian published by News Limited are
1612-660: The Finniss Expedition that travelled from South Australia in 1864. This was the first European expedition to visit the Top End of Australia by land and it was their aim to explore as widely as possible and establish a settlement at Escape Cliffs, on the mouth of the Adelaide River . Previous attempts at settlement of Australia's northern coast at Fort Dundas , Raffles Bay and Port Essington had already failed. The surveyor and soldier, Boyle Travers Finniss,
1674-549: The Northern Territory, a pre-school is also located on the site. The school's student catchment covers the entire Coomalie Shire as well as parts of Litchfield Shire . As there is no public bus service in the town, special school bus services are provided to and from the Eva Valley , Acacia and Adelaide River areas. In 2010, Batchelor Area School was granted funding from the Australian Government to extend
1736-541: The Overnight Walker Registration Scheme on telephone 1300 650 730. Walkers must camp in designated campgrounds. The Tabletop Track, within Litchfield National Park, is a 39 kilometre bushwalk along trickling creeklines, cascading waterfalls, crystal clear pools and undisturbed pockets of tropical monsoon rainforest. Along this track, hikers will spot some of the local wildlife such as wallabies, possums, and flying foxes. Forming part of
1798-406: The Tabletop Track in Litchfield National Park, this 22 kilometre walk will take you to Greenant Creek, through 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. This walk is graded as difficult, and takes about two days. This eight and
1860-524: The Tabletop Track, runs from Wangi Falls through to Walker Creek. This landscape with its rocky outcrops and ridges provides a haven for the local wildlife such as northern quolls, wallabies, frogs and lizards. There is abundant birdlife too – try spotting colourful red-winged parrots , double-barred finches , or kingfishers. This final trek of the Tabletop Track in Litchfield National Park, will take you from Walker Creek to Florence Falls. Spot local wildlife including wallabies and possums, or listen to some of
1922-585: The airport. In October 2014, the airfield was used in filming an episode of BBC series Top Gear . Interstate and international flights are available at Darwin International Airport , about a one-hour drive from the town. The offices of the Coomalie Community Government Council are located on the outskirts of the town, and as such many local and territory government services are accessible. The town has
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1984-443: The area below them is an Aboriginal sacred site, and visitors are requested to swim only above the falls. After a moderate level, 3.5 km return walk through an open valley, visitors can enjoy the usually un-crowded plunge pool beneath Tjaynera Falls . These falls are open for swimming. This homestead, build in 1929, stands as a reminder of the tough conditions faced by the pioneers in remote areas. Interpretive signs explain
2046-463: The areas with nocturnal mammals like the northern quoll , northern brown bandicoot and northern brushtail possum. Frill-necked lizard are common throughout the park, but will not be seen as frequently during the cool dry season months. The Finniss River area also hosts a number of large saltwater crocodiles , commonly abbreviated as "salties". The magnetic termite mounds are a popular tourist attraction. These wedge-shaped mounds are aligned in
2108-479: The assistance of local Mak Mak Marranunggu men and women and some Europeans. However, the mine was closed in 1951 after a large flood filled many of the shafts with water. A relic of the old tin mine at Bamboo Creek stands as a reminder of the difficult conditions endured by the pioneer miners. In 1924 a small homestead was built by the Sargent family on their leased land in the lowlands near Tolmer Falls where there
2170-521: The benefit of heavy earth machinery. It was typical of many of the mines in the Northern Territory which operated in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, especially those operated by the Chinese. The remains include the mine workings; the tin processing mill; and the associated domestic and industrial remains. Tin was discovered at Bamboo Creek in 1906 and was mined irregularly until 1955. The wide variety of remains are notable in that they reflect
2232-428: The bottom of the escarpment, and in the deep narrow gorges created over thousands of years by the force of the waterfalls cutting into the escarpment walls. They are significant because of their size and lack of disturbance. Here visitors will find lilies and slender ground orchids growing among Pandanus , paperbark and swamp bloodwoods . The invasive species Andropogon gayanus, better known as gamba grass
2294-480: The complete range of activities associated with underground mining. Artefacts relating to ore extraction, processing and transport are present as well as domestic remains and remnants of the explosives magazine. Blyth Homestead is of heritage significance to the Northern Territory due to its architectural and social significance. The remains consist of the homestead building itself which is a single room, cypress pine and corrugated iron structure encircled by verandahs;
2356-566: The curious bird calls from the variety of birdlife that also inhabit this forest area. Batchelor, Northern Territory Batchelor is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia . The town is the current seat and largest town of the Coomalie Shire local government area . It is located 98 kilometres (61 mi) south of the territory capital, Darwin . A number of residents commute to Darwin and its suburbs for work. The first inhabitants and traditional owners of
2418-522: The defence of Australia. Units of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force also operated from Batchelor. To support the airbase, the railway siding formerly used by the demonstration farm was extended and a petrol unloading point installed. Following the discovery of uranium at Rum Jungle by prospector Jack White in 1948, Consolidated Zinc Pty Ltd began mining and processing the uranium on behalf of
2480-540: The east of the town but no station facilities are provided. Interstate coach services pick up/set down point is at the junction of Batchelor Road and the Stuart Highway. Additionally, tour busses travelling to Litchfield park will often visit the town as a refreshment stop. Batchelor Airfield has a sealed runway suitable for light aircraft and is occasionally used for medical evacuation flights. Several aviation companies offer scenic flights and charter services at
2542-403: The edges. Blyth Homestead is one of the few existing examples of this type of building which was formerly common on NT pastoral leases. The Homestead site contains tangible and well-preserved remnants of both pastoral and mining activities. The isolated location necessitated the occupants to be virtually self-sufficient with a fruit and vegetable garden, milking cows and meat. A sawmilling plant
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2604-425: The farm were melons, pumpkins and cabbages. From 1919, the farm was used both as a private cattle station and an Aboriginal compound. A portion of the land formerly used for the demonstration farm was cleared during 1933 for use as a civilian aerodrome. This airfield would be substantially upgraded during World War II , becoming a major base for both Royal Australian Air Force and United States Army Air Forces in
2666-473: The first minister responsible for the Northern Territory who died in office during the previous year. The farm operated until 1919, experimenting with different crops and livestock with varied results. The farm suffered from problems attracting and retaining experienced workers amid the strikes and industrial relations turmoil that led to the Darwin Rebellion . Among the crops successfully produced at
2728-419: The former Rum Jungle mine, 7 km (4.3 mi) north of Batchelor. While approval was granted for this project in 2006, the company was placed in voluntary administration in 2009. The future of the project is now in doubt. Batchelor experiences a tropical savanna climate ( Köppen : Aw ) with distinct wet and dry seasons. The annual rainfall is 1,487.8 millimetres (58.57 in), primarily falling during
2790-493: The land surrounding the town are the Warrai and Kungarakany peoples. In the 2016 census , Batchelor recorded a population of 507 people, with 36% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin. The area of Batchelor, then known by its broader locality Rum Jungle , was first surveyed in 1869 as a part of Hundred of Goyder (Northern Territory) and was first purchased by WO Clyde and likely used to grow tobacco until it
2852-478: The largest economic influences in the development of the Top End, with sales to the United Kingdom for their atomic weapons program. The mine closed in 1971. The park was originally part of Stapleton Station, Tipperary Station and Camp Creek Station pastoral leases. The pastoral activity persisted until the declaration of the area as a national park when in 1985, the lessees of Stapleton Station negotiated
2914-743: The library facilities as part of the Building the Education Revolution program. As of 2016, there were 119 students enrolled at the school. The principal is Robyn Thorpe. The main campus of the Batchelor Institute is located within the town and provides tertiary and vocational education and training with a focus on outcomes for indigenous students. Other tertiary education options are available through Charles Darwin University with campuses located in Darwin and Palmerston . Located on
2976-473: The major attractions in the park are linked by sealed road and are easily accessed by two-wheel drive car. However, some of the more remote attractions require a four-wheel drive to access them. Details of some of the major attractions follow: Florence Falls is a double-plunge waterfall leading to a popular swimming hole. Visitors to Buley Rockhole will find a long series of cascading plunge pools. Possibly Litchfield's most popular attraction, Wangi Falls
3038-421: The methods used to extract the tin and to help appreciate the hardship endured by miners as they struggled to make a living in intolerable conditions. These termite mounds are built by thousands of termites with a north–south orientation to control the temperature inside the mounds. Litchfield National Park offers a wide range of walking tracks. It is strongly recommended that overnight walks are registered with
3100-611: The nearest pharmacy is located in the outer suburbs of Darwin, some distance to the north. Batchelor Airfield has lighting available for night landings facilitating emergency evacuations, and an ambulance is also based in the town. There is one public school in Batchelor, the Batchelor Area School established in 1953. The school caters for students from Transition to Year 9, with students in Years 10-12 travelling to Darwin to complete their schooling. As with many schools in
3162-507: The north-western section of the park. Again, Aboriginal people assisted and ex-army equipment was utilized to take the timber to the mill where it was prepared for local builders. Uranium was discovered outside what is now Litchfield's eastern boundary in August 1949, by a local prospector, Jack White. Australia's first fully operational uranium mine was opened at Rum Jungle, and underground mining occurred from 1950 to 1953. The name Rum Jungle
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#17327806250473224-491: The surrender of the pastoral lease and it was subsequently taken up by the Conservation Land Corporation. The Central sandstone plateau supports rich woodland flora communities dominated by species including Darwin woolybutt and Darwin stringybark , as well as banksias , grevilleas , terminalias and a wide variety of other woodland species. Remnant pockets of monsoon rainforest thrive along
3286-473: The timber is small, but plenty of it is adapted for station purposes. The country from here to Manton's Creek on the Adelaide (River) is as fine a country for stock as I have ever seen, the whole of it being well grassed and well watered at all times of the year." The discovery of copper and tin led to the establishment of several small scale subsistence mining operations. Pastoral occupation also began in
3348-588: The year round, more than what we could use, but no money!" The simple bush architecture of the homestead and the opportunistic nature of the mine workings illustrate the harsh conditions under which the Sargent family lived. The area of Greenant Creek below the Tjaetaba Falls is a registered Aboriginal sacred site. Swimming or entering the water is not allowed. Visitors are requested to observe all signage. There are several sacred and special sites within Litchfield National Park. Every year over quarter of
3410-581: The years the mine was operating, this number was regularly exceeded. Processing and extraction of uranium ore at the Rum Jungle mine had ceased by 1971, and the control of the township was handed back to the Northern Territory Administration. The administration would oversee the establishment of new industries beginning in 1974, with the training of Aboriginal teachers aides and classroom assistants for remote schools through
3472-456: Was able to farm their own vegetable and fruit crops, and held up to 13,500 head of cattle, due to the permanent water nearby. After 40 years, the Sargent family sold the lease to the Townsend family who farmed until the early 1960s. The abandoned homestead stands as a stark reminder of the tough conditions graziers faced. Logging of paperbark , cypress and Leichhardt pines began in 1948 in
3534-482: Was chosen by the South Australian government to be their government Resident in the Northern Territory. His decision to choose an area near Escape Cliffs for settlement was disastrous. The settlers suffered from inadequate food rations and infected mosquito bites. Finniss was disliked by the settlers who had accompanied him and argued with his officials. The area which is now known as Litchfield National Park
3596-521: Was first visited by Europeans in September 1865, when Litchfield led a small group to explore the Daly River. His diary of Monday, 25 September describes his travels: "Monday, 25 – Three horses look as if they were going to knock up; will give them a day's spell here. There are fine plains here, splendidly grassed and watered; small belts of stunted gum, vaquois, fan palm, and honeysuckle. Most of
3658-425: Was reliable water and reasonable grazing for their cattle. Their farm proved successful and in 1928 they built Blyth Homestead as an outstation a little further south, so their cattle could take advantage of the good grazing among the paperbarks in this area. Typical of other structures of that time, the homestead is supported with cypress pine tied together with heavy wire and covered with corrugated iron. The family
3720-432: Was selected by the government. In 1911 the area was selected as one of two demonstration farms (the other was located at Daly River ) established by the Commonwealth to investigate the economic potential of the Northern Territory following the administrative hand over from South Australia ; this was known as Batchelor Demonstration Farm . The farm and an associated railway siding were named in 1912 after Lee Batchelor ,
3782-404: Was to be bagged and sold. Small groups operated this way for the next 30 years. By 1941 miners began following the tin-bearing seams into the hills using picks and shovels, and loading the ore into wagons to be pushed or pulled back to the mines' entrances. Charles Stead, Thomas Niciloff and Charles Claydon took out the first real lease and set about turning the mine into a commercial venture, with
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#17327806250473844-593: Was used to cut timber needed. Their income was supplemented by alluvial and reef tin mining to the east of the homestead, the products of which had to be carted by buckboard along a self-made track over the Finiss River. As described by Max Sargent, the tenth of fourteen children of the Sargent family: "We were possibly the best fed people in Australia right through the depression, with butter, cream and milk, cheese, dried fruits and fresh fruits, fresh vegetables
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