Mon 19 Aug 2013 – Litchfield Gorges and Plunge Pools Part 2

Had a great sleep after all our swims and walks yesterday.  Up early and went down for a swim, hoping to see some turtles. No luck, but it was great to have the pool to ourselves and swim as the sun came up – then breakfast before setting off to view and swim in more gorgeous gorges.

Tjaetaba Falls is off the beaten track 2klm so most people ignore this one.  We walked beside Greenant Creek through lush tropical vegetation where we met up with two girls who had found an unusual ant nest that had fallen out of a tree.  It was made of dead leaves carefully glued together – clever ants. 

At the top of the waterfall we found a small but very deep deliciously cool pool with its own mini-fall – Mel and I just had to go in.  Swimming is not permitted below the falls as it is a sacred site.

On the way back we were fortunate to see another Merten’s Water Monitor dart across the path into the bushes.

Tolmer falls was the next stop – this was only to gaze at as three rare species of bats live in the gorge and so its closed to protect them.  The rocks in this area are very unusual colour – black and pink.  We read that this is due to the iron (pink) and magnesium (black) coming to the surface of the sandstone when it dries out.

All the way along the road we saw these lovely purple bushes - Mum this ones for you!

As it was now 38 degrees we were really ready for another dip and so were delighted when we came to Buley rock holes – great spot with several small but deep pools with small falls that provide gentle massages.  This was our pick for then day and we enjoyed them immensely, swimming here before and after lunch!

Our last stop in Litchfield was at Florence Falls.  By now Mel’s knee had gone on strike and as it was 134 steps down (and up again) Mel declined the offer for another swim so I went down on my own.  In the plunge pool at the foot of the waterfall there were some lovely fish so I wished that I had taken my mask and snorkel. 

Back to our favourite camping ground, Pandanus, for a final swim near the mango orchard, before our nightly bbq.