Seek Find Tell

Litchfield or Kakadu, that is the question. Recently I returned from an incredible trip camping around the Northern Territory with family. I had the privilege of getting to visit both Litchfield and Kakadu and had time to explore both of these wonderful national parks. However, there was an initial debate when planning the trip about which one deserves the most time and focus. There was so much that we wanted to see and do in each park leaving us in anticipation as to which park we would like better.

Before I go any further, I would like to pay my respects to the Koongurrukun, Mak Mak Marranunggu, Werat, and Warray peoples whom, among others are the traditional land owners of Litchfield. As well as, the Bininj and Munguy peoples who are the traditional land owners of Kakadu. I acknowledge that both Kakadu and Litchfield are intrinsically linked to the beliefs and culture of Aboriginal peoples and that the land has been, is and will always be theirs. I feel very privileged to journey through that land and to experience the beautiful country of the Top End.

I have created this post for people who are deciding whether to go to Litchfield, or Kakadu, or both and are trying to figure out what to expect from both parks. I have separated the different factors in which they compete into categories below with my final verdict at the end (Spoiler: I do have a favourite and it may be controversial).

1. Accessibility
2. Facilities
3. Value
4. Animals, birdlife and nature
5. Swimming
6. Culture
7. Short trips
8. Long trips
9. Extra Points
10. The Verdict

Accessibility

• Most attractions in Litchfield are off the main road that runs through the park.
• You can go to 3 or 4 places each day in Litchfield because everything is so close together.
• Walking tracks are easily accessible and quite often have paths or raised walkways in Litchfield.
• There are only some places in Litchfield that are 4WD access with many places easily accessible on sealed roads.
• The places to go to in Kakadu are spread out over a large distance, with some places taking over 1 hour to get to by car meaning that you can only go to one or two places per day.
• Most places in Kakadu require 4WD access.

Winner: Litchfield

Images left to right: Cahills crossing, Kakadu; Crocodile danger sign, Maguk, Kakadu; 4WD track off Old Jim Jim Road, Kakadu

Facilities

• Kakadu has had a lot more monetary investment because it is privately owned, and part of the fee for entering the park goes back into the preservation of the park and the facilities.
• There is a greater selection of hotels and campsites around Kakadu.
• In Kakadu, there are many restaurants and cafes to choose from.
• There are things to do in Kakadu other than bush walks and swimming, such as: art galleries, cultural centres, a golf course, and scenic flights.
• Litchfield only has one café with limited opening hours.
• Because it is smaller in size, Litchfield has less accommodation and unless you are staying a tent or caravan there a limited options.

Winner: Kakadu

Value

• Kakadu National Park is privately owned and has a $40 entry fee per person for a one week pass.
• Entry into the cultural centres and some guided walking tours is included in the entry fee for Kakadu.
• Because Kakadu is so vast it costs more in petrol to travel around.
• Some attractions in Kakadu are only accessible with paid tours.
• Litchfield National Park is state owned and has free entry.
• In Litchfield all attractions are fully accessible without the need for tours.

Winner: Litchfield

Animals, birdlife and nature

• Kakadu has beautiful wetlands, rivers and billabongs, many of which have guided boat tours making it an easy way to experience the best of Top End wildlife.
• There is a lot more opportunity to see crocodiles in Kakadu.
• Kakadu has greater diversity of animals, birds and natural landscapes.
• Over a third of Australia’s bird species live in Kakadu, and it is a well known bird-watching destination.
• Crocodiles, buffalo, wallabies, wild pigs, snakes, flying foxes, and turtles are just an example of the animals that you can expect to see in Kakadu
• Litchfield has wonderful animal and bird life that you can see even in your own campsite.
• Some examples of the wildlife you can see in Litchfield are: kangaroos, flying foxes, termites, dingoes and many more.

Winner: Kakadu

Images: Wildlife and nature from both Kakadu and Litchfield

Swimming

• There are several waterfalls in Litchfield, all with beautiful swimming spots in the dry season.
• There are no swimming pools in Litchfield, only plunge pools and waterholes.
• Pools are at most hotels and caravan parks in Kakadu and are a nice place to relax after a busy day of activities.
• Many of the waterfalls and swimming spots in Kakadu are restricted for swimming, even in the dry season.

Winner: Litchfield

Images left to right: Tjaynera falls, Litchfield; Maguk, Kakadu; Florence falls, Litchfield; Cascades, Litchfield; Tjaynera falls, Litchfield; and, Maguk, Kakadu.

Culture

• Because of its natural diversity and cultural significance, Kakadu National Park is listed as a dual world heritage site.
• The Park Pass for Kakadu includes free ranger guided cultural tours.
• Kakadu has access to beautiful rock art displays and recently developed cultural centres making historical cultural information well preserved and easy to access.
• While commercial cultural tours around Litchfield are available, if you are going without a tour there are limited signs and cultural displays, There is also no access to free cultural tours.

Winner: Kakadu

Short trips

• Kakadu is 3 hours from Darwin making it harder to visit for just a couple of days and near impossible to do in a day trip
• The $40 entry fee for Kakadu becomes better value for money if you spend a longer time there.
• Only 1 hour from Darwin with activities in close proximity to one another, Litchfield is easy to do in a couple of days or even as a day trip.
• Litchfield has free access.
• The attractions in Litchfield are mostly located off the main road which runs through the National Park and it only takes 45mins to drive from one end of the park to the other.

Winner: Litchfield

Images: Wangi falls (left) and Cascades (right), Litchfield National Park

Long trips

• It is easy to do everything in Litchfield in a couple of days, so if you were going for longer you may run out of things to do.
• Kakadu has a lot more to offer and if you are going for a longer trip it gives you the chance to properly see more and enjoy a wider variety of experiences.
• The town, Jabiru, is at the heart of Kakadu and has a petrol station and supermarket making it easy to refuel when on a long trip.

Winner: Kakadu

Extra Points

• Walks in Litchfield are usually under 3.5km making them suitable for every level of fitness and all ages. They also often have better scenery and end at a waterfall for a swim to cool down.
• Litchfield feels busier because of the easy access from Darwin and because the park is smaller.
• If you are interested in something a bit different then visiting the Lost City, in Litchfield is a must. This series of large, natural sandstone sculptures is a hidden gem and can only be accessed by 4WD.
• Both parks have good options for campgrounds and free campsites as well as multiple day use areas.
• Kakadu is about 14 times bigger than Litchfield
• A large percentage of the money from caravan parks and the park pass in Kakadu go towards the the traditional land owners.

Winner: Litchfield

The Verdict

Both parks seem to have a large number of different highlights and a few negatives. When you break it down both places seem very even. With so many incredible experiences and things to do in both Kakadu and Litchfield, I am sure you are curious to know which park I think is the winner of ‘Kakadu vs. Litchfield’.

In my opinion, Litchfield comes out on top of this Top End battle! I understand this opinion can be controversial because Kakadu is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is well renowned for its incredible wildlife and cultural significance. I am not disagreeing with any of this. The reason why Litchfield is the winner for me is because of the beautiful walks and flowing waterfalls. Enjoying our time there going from one waterfall to the next and getting to walk around and swim beneath them was magical. Spending less time in a car driving around and more time exploring is always a winner for me.

As I have hinted at, this is definitely not everyone’s opinion and was a very tight battle. In the group of people I was travelling with there was disagreement and half prefer Kakadu. I also thoroughly enjoyed my time in Kakadu and am really glad that we got to go to both places.

If you are travelling for a shorter amount of time then I would definitely recommend going to Litchfield. In saying that, if you have the luxury of time I 100% recommend going to both places and taking your time to thoroughly explore and enjoy everything they both have to offer.

Images left to right: Tolmer falls, Litchfield: Florence Falls, Litchfield; Starry night sky, Litchfield; Ubirr Lookout, Kakadu; Florence falls Lookout, Litchfield; Rock art at Ubirr, Kakadu; Tour boat on Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu; Waterlily, Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu; Mamukala, Kakadu; Sunset x2, Yellow Water Billabong, Kakadu

For more information on Litchfield National Park: https://nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/200073/litchfield-national-park.pdf

For more information on Kakadu National Park: https://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/

What do you think about the verdict between Kakadu and Litchfield? Do you disagree? Or, do you have any questions about travelling to Kakadu or Litchfield? Leave a comment below.

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