Tolmer Falls was my favorite waterfall in Litchfield National Park. It was quietly magnificent, hidden away in a narrow gorge, viewable only from a small platform above on the cliffs. I think it was the subtle nature of its raw power that drew me in. I visited Tolmer Falls twice and enjoyed shooting the scenes surrounding the gorge at sunset as well as during the day.
Tolmer Falls cascades over a double escarpment, flowing beneath several stunning rock arches before descending into a placid plunge pool, deep in the gorge. An abundance of trees fills the narrow gorge, creating a canopy for the river below when it is in full flow.
The drop at Tolmer Falls is roughly 102 meters and it truly is a majestic waterfall. I had an awesome time flying the drone through the canyon finding new angles to capture this majestic formation of mother nature.
I highly recommend Tolmer Falls for sunset. The sun lights the rocks up a magnificent earthy orange that fades to a soft red. Then, looking away from the waterfall, the rolling mountains make for some stunning landscapes and silhouettes during the final moments of the sunset. The best time to shoot this waterfall is in the late afternoon or during sunset.
You are limited to only a few angles for photos from the platform once you take into account the trees and surroundings. The drone gave us the ability to see the gorge and Tolmer Falls from a variety of unique angles. It is important to note that flying a drone in Litchfield National Park does require a permit.
BOOK A LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK TOUR
One of the best ways to experience all of the things to do in Litchfield National Park is to take a guided day tour from Darwin. Luckily, Litchfield National Park isn’t far from Darwin compared to Kakadu National Park, which takes several hours to reach. Litchfield is just a 1.5-hour drive from Darwin making it perfect for a day trip tour.
The ‘Litchfield National Park + Jumping Croc Tour‘, is by far the most popular tour in the region. Not only do you tour all the best spots and things to do in Litchfield National Park but the tour includes a boat ride to see the ‘jumping crocodiles’.
HOW TO GET TO TOLMER FALLS
Tolmer Falls is roughly in the middle of the loop road that winds through Litchfield National Park. It is adjacent to Tjaetaba Falls. There is a parking lot with a big sign identifying the two paths in the area. One path leads you to rock pools to the side of the Falls and the other down to the viewing platform. The walk down to the viewing platform says 1.6km return but felt like a quick 5-minute stroll.
Litchfield National Park is 85km south of Darwin, the capital of Northern Territory.
This adventure was part of a trip with the Northern Territory Tourism Board.