81-630: 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
162-424: A "head" or "spike" resembling a brush used for cleaning bottles, containing up to 80 individual flowers. Melaleucas are an important food source for nectarivorous insects, birds, and mammals. Many are popular garden plants, either for their attractive flowers or as dense screens and a few have economic value for producing fencing and oils such as "tea tree" oil . Most melaleucas are endemic to Australia , with
243-860: A few also occurring in Malesia . Seven are endemic to New Caledonia , and one is found only on Australia's Lord Howe Island . Melaleucas are found in a wide variety of habitats. Many are adapted for life in swamps and boggy places, while others thrive in the poorest of sandy soils or on the edge of saltpans. Some have a wide distribution and are common, whilst others are rare and endangered. Land clearing, exotic myrtle rust , and especially draining and clearing of swamps threaten many species. Melaleucas range in size from small shrubs such as M. aspalathoides and M. concinna which rarely grow to more than 1 m (3 ft 3 in) high, to trees like M. cajuputi and M. quinquenervia , which can reach 35 m (115 ft). (One specimen of M. cajuputi reached
324-445: 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
405-572: 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
486-477: A height of 46 m (151 ft).) Many, like M. lineariifolia , are known as paperbarks and have bark that can be peeled in thin sheets, whilst about 20% of the genus, including M. bracteata , have hard, rough bark and another 20% have fibrous bark. Every species in the genus is an evergreen , and the leaves vary in size from minute and scale-like ( M. micromera ) to 270 mm (11 in) long ( M. leucadendra ). Most have distinct oil glands dotted in
567-412: 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
648-630: 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
729-453: 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
810-589: 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
891-562: 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
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#1732790168091972-433: 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
1053-504: 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
1134-405: 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
1215-407: 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
1296-488: 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
1377-1005: Is safe for topical applications, tea tree oil is toxic if ingested orally. The oil is produced on a commercial scale and marketed as tea tree oil . Melaleuca cajuputi is used to produce a similar oil, known as cajuput oil , which is used in Southeast Asia to treat a variety of infections and to add fragrance to food and soaps. Melaleucas are popular garden plants, both in Australia and other tropical areas worldwide. The first to be cultivated were grown in England from seed in 1771. Some melaleucas are commonly cultivated, grown as trees for parks and large gardens (such as Melaleuca leucadendra ) or as ornamentals (sometimes as Callistemon ) such as M. citrina ( Callistemon citrinus ), M. hypericifolia and M. wilsonii . Tea trees (spelled Ti-Trees ) are specifically mentioned in
1458-552: 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
1539-563: 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
1620-517: 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
1701-468: 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 ),
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#17327901680911782-471: 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
1863-416: 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
1944-524: 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
2025-414: 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
2106-771: 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
2187-727: 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
2268-461: 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
2349-914: 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
2430-660: 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,
2511-549: 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
Litchfield National Park - Misplaced Pages Continue
2592-541: 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
2673-553: The South Australian swamp paperbark, M. halmaturorum , thrive in saline soils where few other species survive. Many are fire tolerant, regenerating from epicormic buds or by coppicing , but no melaleucas occur in rainforest and few species occur in the arid zone. Melaleucas are mostly pollinated by insects, including the introduced honey bee ( Apis mellifera ), flies, beetles, wasps and thrips . Birds such as lorikeets and honeyeaters as well as bats often visit
2754-406: 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
2835-524: 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
2916-664: The accepted genus Melaleuca . The move has not been adopted by all Australian herbaria with some taxonomists, including Alex George opposing the move. Most melaleucas occur naturally only on the Australian mainland. Eight occur in Tasmania , but only two are endemic to that island. One ( M. howeana ) is endemic to Lord Howe Island and seven are endemic to Grande Terre , the main island of New Caledonia. A few tropical species also occur in Papua New Guinea , and
2997-585: 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
3078-443: 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
3159-463: 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
3240-479: 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
3321-477: The basis of DNA evidence and a lack of morphological support, that species in the genera Beaufortia , Calothamnus , Conothamnus , Eremaea , Lamarchea , Petraeomyrtus , Phymatocarpus and Regelia be transferred to Melaleuca . The World Checklist of Selected Plant Families maintained by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew lists Calothamnus and the other genera as synonyms of
Litchfield National Park - Misplaced Pages Continue
3402-464: The basis of whether the stamens are free of each other, or joined in bundles. Botanists in the past, including Ferdinand von Mueller and Lyndley Craven have proposed uniting the two genera but the matter is not decided. Evidence from DNA studies suggests that either Callistemon and some other genera be incorporated into Melaleuca or that at least 10 new genera be created from the present genus. In 2014, Lyndley Craven and others proposed, on
3483-521: 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
3564-428: 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
3645-480: 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;
3726-566: 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
3807-567: The death of highly susceptible hosts. Myrtle rust is common in eastern Australia, including Tasmania and has been detected in the Tiwi Islands . Melaleuca quinquenervia (broad-leaved paperbark) is the most damaging of 60 exotic species introduced to the Florida Everglades to help drain low-lying swampy areas. Introduced in the early 20th century, it has become a serious invasive species , with damaging effects including
3888-522: 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
3969-425: The displacement of native species, reduction in wildlife habitat, alteration of hydrology, modification of soil, and changes in fire regimes. The tree's perseverance in the face of efforts to eradicate it has earned it the nickname "punktree". Aboriginal Australians used several species of Melaleuca to make rafts, as roofing for shelter, bandages, and food preparation. "Bee bread" and honey were collected from
4050-483: The distribution of one subspecies, Melaleuca cajuputi subsp. cumingiana extends as far north as Myanmar , Thailand , and Vietnam . The southwest of Western Australia has the greatest density of species, and in the tropical north of the continent, species such as M. argentea and M. leucadendra are the dominant species over large areas. Melaleucas grow in a range of soil types and many tolerate occasional or even permanent waterlogging. Some species, especially
4131-540: 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
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#17327901680914212-403: 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
4293-425: 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
4374-473: 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
4455-408: The flower opens or soon after. The stamens vary greatly in colour, from white to cream or yellow, red, or mauve with their yellow tips (the anthers ) contrasting with their "stalks" ( filaments ). The fruit are woody, cup-shaped, barrel-shaped, or almost spherical capsules , often arranged in clusters along the stems. The seeds are sometimes retained in the fruit for many years, only opening when
4536-894: The flowers and are probably also pollinators. Some species of Melaleuca , especially M. alternifolia , are cultivated for the production of tea tree oil, and in plantations are susceptible to a number of insect pests. The most significant of these is the chrysomelid Paropsisterna tigrina , but other beetles , cutworm caterpillars ( Agrotis species ), psyllids , mole crickets ( Gryllotalpa ), and others cause significant damage. More than 100 species of insects are known to feed on melaleucas. Native stands have fewer predators, but tea tree sawfly ( Pterygophorus species) and longicorn beetles are often found. The scale insect Beesonia ferrugineus forms round, fluffy-looking galls on branches of several Melaleuca species. Melaleucas are also susceptible to myrtle rust ( Puccinia psidii ) which can result in damage to soft plant material and
4617-419: 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
4698-597: The genera Leptospermum , Melaleuca , Kunzea , and Baeckea because the sailors on the Endeavour used the leaves of a shrub from one of these groups as a replacement for tea ( Camellia sinensis ) during Captain James Cook 's 1770 voyage to Australia. The first known description of a Melaleuca species was written by Rumphius in 1741, in Herbarium amboinense before the present system of naming plants
4779-499: The hives of native stingless bees in melaleuca forests in the Northern Territory . The Bundjalung people traditionally lived in the area of north-eastern New South Wales where Melaleuca alternifolia is endemic , and they treated skin infections by crushing the leaves of that species over skin infections then covering the area with a warm mudpack. Melaleuca alternifolia is notable for its essential oil , which has antifungal and antibiotic properties in vitro. Though it
4860-493: 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
4941-478: 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
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#17327901680915022-408: The leaves, making the leaves aromatic, especially when crushed. Melaleuca flowers are usually arranged in spikes or heads. Within the head or spike, the flowers are often in groups of two or three, each flower or group having a papery bract at its base. Five sepals occur, although these are sometimes fused into a ring of tissue and five petals which are usually small, not showy, and fall off as
5103-743: 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
5184-584: The main newspapers circulated in Batchelor. Paperbark See List of Melaleuca species Melaleuca ( / ˌ m ɛ l ə ˈ lj uː k ə / ) is a genus of nearly 300 species of plants in the myrtle family , Myrtaceae , commonly known as paperbarks , honey-myrtles , bottlebrushes or tea-trees (although the last name is also applied to species of Leptospermum ). They range in size from small shrubs that rarely grow to more than 16 m (52 ft) high, to trees up to 35 m (115 ft). Their flowers generally occur in groups, forming
5265-473: 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
5346-421: 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
5427-611: 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
5508-507: 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
5589-480: The plant, or part of it, dies or is heated in a bushfire . In tropical areas, seeds are released annually in the wet season . The name Melaleuca is derived from the Ancient Greek μέλας ( mélas ) meaning "dark" or "black" and λευκός ( leukós ) meaning "white", apparently because one of the first specimens described had fire-blackened white bark. The common name "tea tree" has been applied to species in
5670-491: 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
5751-473: 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
5832-588: 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
5913-581: 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
5994-456: 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
6075-415: 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
6156-521: 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
6237-425: 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
6318-432: 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 ,
6399-404: 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
6480-536: 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
6561-501: Was written. The plant he called Arbor alba is now known as Melaleuca leucadendra . The name Melaleuca was first used by Linnaeus in 1767. Many species previously known as Metrosideros were then placed in Melaleuca . In Australia, Melaleuca is the third most diverse plant genus with up to 300 species. The genus Callistemon was raised by Robert Brown , who noted its similarity to Melaleuca , distinguishing it only on
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