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Gear I Wish I Had My First Day Swimming Litchfield Waterfalls
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items Showed up to Litchfield National Park outside Darwin in cotton shorts and flip flops like a fool. Spent the whole day adjusting, chafing, and watching my phone almost die before lunch. If you're planning a waterfall swimming trip in the Top End, this...
Sections
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Quick-Dry Swimwear That Survives Trail Walks
Waterproof Phone Protection for Swimming Holes
Sun Protection for Full Days Outdoors in Darwin
Footwear That Handles Rocks and Water
Dry Bags and Packs for Waterfall Hikes
Insect Repellent That Actually Works in the Tropics
Quick-Dry Swimwear That Survives Trail Walks
Walking between Litchfield's swimming holes means hiking in whatever you swam in. Regular board shorts stayed wet for hours and rubbed my thighs raw on the Florence Falls trail.
Swap these in for your regular board shorts. They dried during the 20-minute walk from Buley Rockhole to Florence Falls, which sounds impossible but happened. Perfect for anyone doing multiple swimming holes in one day.
Patagonia Hydropeak Volley Shorts - Men's 16" Outseam
Wear these from the car to the water to the restaurant after. They look like normal shorts but dry fast enough that you're not sitting on a soggy car seat driving to the next waterfall.
Banks Short – Men's Black Performance ...
Grabbed these for my partner who hates the feeling of wet fabric clinging to her legs. She went from dreading the hikes between pools to not even noticing. Stretchy enough for scrambling over rocks too.
Prana Riveter Boardshort (32) Algae Stripe
For the guy who gets chafing the second anything is damp. Built-in liner kept everything comfortable even after three swims and two trail walks. Wish someone had told me about these before my first Litchfield trip.
Oh Buoy 2N1 Swim Trunk 7" - Bold Blue
Waterproof Phone Protection for Swimming Holes
Wangi Falls is one of those places where you want photos but the water is deep and the rocks are slippery. I watched two people fish their phones off the bottom that same afternoon.
Keep this on your phone the whole trip, not just at the water. Rain hits fast in the Top End and you won't have time to bag everything up. Took underwater photos at Buley Rockhole that actually came out clear.
Casing iPhone 12 Mini LifeProof FRE Case
Toss your phone and car keys in here before you wade in. The magnetic seal is way more trustworthy than those cheap ziplock-style pouches. Saved me at Florence Falls when I slipped on a wet rock.
Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Phone Case Review
This one floats, which matters more than you think. Dropped it in the pool at Wangi Falls and it just bobbed there waiting for me. For anyone with butterfingers or who swims out to the falls.
Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Case Review 2025
Use the arm band if you're swimming laps across the bigger pools. Keeps your phone on you without worrying about it sinking. My friend who does open water swimming swore by this setup.
BAND – The App For Groups
Sun Protection for Full Days Outdoors in Darwin
The Northern Territory sun is no joke. I put on SPF 30 once in the morning and by 2pm looked like I'd fallen asleep on a rotisserie. Multiple applications are not optional here.
Bring the big bottle and reapply every time you get out of the water. I learned at Buley Rockhole that even 20 minutes of sitting on the rocks between dips can cook you. Reef-safe too, which matters in these pristine pools.
Sun Bum Original Spf 50 Sunscreen Lotion Vegan
Wear this on every trail between swimming holes. The neck cape looks dorky but saved me from a brutal burn. Anyone with a bald spot or thin hair, this is your new uniform in the Top End.
Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure UPF 50+ Hat
They float. That's it, that's the reason. Regular sunglasses sink to the bottom of Wangi Falls and you'll never see them again. Polarized lenses also cut the glare on the water so you can see the bottom.
Shady Rays
Keep a small tube in your pocket for face reapplication. Goes on without that greasy white film so you don't look like a ghost in your waterfall photos. For anyone who skips sunscreen because they hate the feel.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen Lotion
Footwear That Handles Rocks and Water
Litchfield's swimming holes have slippery rocks, sharp edges, and uneven trails connecting them. My flip flops lasted about four minutes before I was barefoot and bleeding.
Wear these from the parking lot straight into the water. The rubber sole grips wet rock better than anything else I tried. Took them through every swimming hole at Litchfield without a single slip.
Men's Z/1 Adjustable Strap Classic Sandal
Grab these if you want toe protection. The rocks around Florence Falls have sharp edges that'll slice an exposed toe open fast. Closed-toe design saved me twice in one day.
KEEN Men's Newport H2 Closed Toe Water Sandals
For anyone who finds Chacos too stiff. These are lighter and softer out of the box, which matters when you're walking 5+ kilometers between pools. Dried almost as fast as my quick-dry shorts.
Hurricane XLT2 Sport Sandal
Splurge pick for serious hikers who also want to swim. The sole is thicker than most water sandals so your feet don't feel every pebble. I wore these on the Tabletop Track and they handled mud, rock, and water without swapping.
Episode 65: Bedrock's Cairn 3D Pro II Adventure Sandal
Dry Bags and Packs for Waterfall Hikes
There are no lockers at Litchfield's swimming holes. Whatever you bring sits on the rocks near the water, and between splashing and sudden rain, nothing stays dry without help.
Toss your wallet, keys, and dry clothes in here before you swim. Sat on wet rocks at Buley Rockhole for three hours and everything inside stayed bone dry. Roll the top three times minimum.
Sea to Summit Lightweight Stuff Sack 3L Olive
Carry this instead of a regular daypack. Fits a towel, snacks, sunscreen, and a water bottle with room to spare. Walked the Florence Falls trail in a downpour and opened it up to completely dry gear.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Use this for your wet swimsuit when you're done. Keeps the moisture away from your dry stuff in the car. Packs down to the size of an egg so there's zero excuse not to bring it.
How to dry out a wet backpack
For anyone doing the longer Litchfield trails who needs more space. Works as a regular pack on the trail and a dry bag at the swimming hole. Weighs almost nothing, which your shoulders will appreciate after a full day.
Osprey Ultralight 20L Dry Stuff Pack, Black OS
Insect Repellent That Actually Works in the Tropics
Nobody warned me about the sandflies at Litchfield. Mosquitoes I expected. But the sandflies at Tjaynera Falls left me covered in itchy welts that lasted two weeks after I got home.
Put this on before you even leave the car park. Picaridin works as well as DEET without melting your sunglasses or watch band. Kept sandflies off me at Tjaynera Falls where I'd been eaten alive the trip before.
Sawyer SP543 Premium Insect Repellent 20
Keep these in your dry bag for reapplication after swimming. Way easier than a spray bottle when your hands are wet. Each wipe covers your arms and legs, which is all the sandflies need access to.
Ben's 30 DEET Mosquito Tick Repellent Wipes
Treat your clothes before the trip, not during. Spray your hiking shorts and shirt, let them dry, and insects avoid you like you're invisible. Lasts through six washes, which covers most Litchfield trips.
About Permethrin-Treated Clothing and Gear | Mosquitoes
Bring this for when you inevitably miss a spot. Sandfly bites itch worse than mosquitoes and last longer. Dab this on immediately and the welt stays small instead of turning into a red mountain on your ankle.
After Bite the Itch Eraser (liquid) Tender Corporation
Hydration Gear for Hot Top End Days
Litchfield gets above 35 degrees Celsius regularly and the humidity makes you sweat through a liter before lunch. The swimming holes feel refreshing until you realize you haven't had water in three hours.
Fill this with ice water at your accommodation before you leave. It stayed cold for six hours in Darwin heat, which felt like a miracle at 2pm when everything else was lukewarm. The wide mouth fits ice cubes easily.
32 oz Wide Mouth Flex Cap - Tonal Oat
Grab this if you want to drink without unscrewing anything. The bite valve lets you sip while walking the trails between pools. Less fuss means you actually drink enough, which sounds obvious but I forgot constantly.
Eddy+ 25oz Bottle with Tritan™ Renew
Dump one of these in your water bottle after your second swim. You lose more electrolytes than you realize when you're sweating and swimming all day. Prevented the brutal headache I got my first Litchfield trip.
Liquid I.V.® Hydration Multiplier® Sugar in Pakistan
Bring this as a backup that takes zero space in your dry bag. Rolls up flat when empty and holds a full liter when you need it. For anyone who doesn't want to carry a bulky bottle on every trail.
SoftBottle 1L Collapsible Bottle by Platypus
Snacks That Survive Tropical Heat
There are no shops inside Litchfield National Park. Pack everything before you go or eat nothing between 8am and whenever you drive back to Darwin. Chocolate bars melt in about four minutes.
These don't melt into a sticky mess like chocolate-coated bars do. Kept them in my pack at Buley Rockhole all morning and they held their shape. Enough protein to keep you going between swimming holes without feeling heavy.
RXBAR, Variety Pack Protein Bars, 10 Count
Toss a few bags in your dry bag for easy trailside snacking. The nuts and dried fruit combo gives you quick energy without the crash. Way better than the sad granola bar I packed on my first trip.
Sahale Snacks Banana Rum Pecans Glazed Mix
Pack your own trail mix or sandwiches in these instead of plastic bags. They seal properly so water and humidity stay out. Also keeps crumbs contained, which matters when you're trying to leave no trace at the swimming holes.
Stasher, Reusable Silicone Bag 10-Piece Starter Set
Bring these for real food that won't spoil in the heat. No refrigeration needed and they taste like actual meat, not jerky sawdust. My go-to when I needed something substantial between Florence Falls and Wangi Falls.
Original Beef Sticks | Gluten Free, Protein Snack
Compact Towels That Dry Fast
Regular bath towels turn into a soggy, sandy mess after one swim and never dry out in the humidity. Then you're wrapping yourself in a wet rag for the rest of the day.
Wring this out after each swim and it's ready again in 15 minutes. Took one full-size towel to five swimming holes in one day and it worked every time. Packs down smaller than a rolled-up t-shirt.
PackTowl Personal Ultralight Microfiber Towel
For anyone who wants the lightest option possible. Weighs almost nothing and absorbs way more than you'd expect from something this thin. Dried faster than my friend's regular towel by a solid hour.
Matador Nanodry Packable Shower Towel - Large
Snag this if you want a budget option that still performs. Used it at Wangi Falls and it dried me off completely in two passes. Comes with a mesh bag so it can air out while hanging from your pack.
Rainleaf Microfiber Towels for Home Use
Bring this one if you want something that looks less like camping gear. The patterns are fun enough for beach photos and it still dries in half the time of cotton. Sand brushes off instead of embedding itself in the fabric.
Quick-Dry Beach Towels | Sand-Free Towels
Underwater and Waterfall Photography Gear
Standing at the base of Florence Falls watching water crash into a turquoise pool is one of those moments you want to capture properly. Phone cameras work, but the mist and splashing make it tricky.
Clip this to your chest mount and swim right up to the falls. The stabilization handles the turbulent water so your footage doesn't look like a washing machine. Got my favorite video ever at Wangi Falls just floating on my back.
GoPro HERO12 Black Holiday Bundle
Use this instead of a head mount if you want control over your angles. It floats if you drop it, which happened twice at Buley Rockhole. The bright orange color means you can spot it immediately in the water.
The Handler - Floating Camera Grip Mount
Snap this on your phone for cinematic-looking waterfall shots without carrying a real camera. The wide format captures the full scale of Florence Falls in a way the standard phone lens just can't. Worth the extra ounce in your pack.
Moment 1.55x Anamorphic Mobile Lens
Keep this in your dry bag because your phone dies fast when you're shooting photos and video all day. Charged my phone twice during a full Litchfield day. Sealed mine in a waterproof pouch just in case.
Anker Power Bank, 10000mAh Portable Charger
First Aid Supplies for Rocky Swimming Holes
Slippery rocks, sharp edges, and strong currents at some falls mean minor injuries happen constantly. Watched three different people cut their feet at Buley Rockhole in one afternoon.
Toss this in your dry bag and forget about it until you need it. Waterproof case kept everything dry even when my bag got splashed. Had to use the butterfly bandages on a foot cut at Florence Falls and was so glad I packed it.
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight
Stick these over cuts before you get back in the water. They're waterproof and stay on even when swimming, which regular bandages absolutely do not. For anyone who doesn't want to sit out the next swimming hole because of a scrape.
3M™ Tegaderm™ I.V. Transparent Film Dressing with Border
Use this on insect bites and it actually reduces the itch and swelling. Way more effective than just scratching until you bleed, which was my previous strategy. Takes two seconds and fits in your pocket.
Sawyer Extractor Mini Suction Pump Insect
Wrap this around your ankle if the rocky trails start bothering your joints. The uneven terrain at Litchfield puts stress on ankles you didn't know you had. Gave me enough support to finish the day without limping.
Pro ® Synthetic Kinesiology Tape – Precut Strips
Planning Resources for Litchfield Day Trips from Darwin
Litchfield is about 90 minutes from Darwin and you can hit multiple waterfalls in one day if you plan the order right. I wasted half my first trip backtracking because I didn't look at a map.
Buy the paper map before you go. Phone signal drops out inside the park and Google Maps won't save you. Planned my swimming hole route the night before and hit four spots without doubling back once.
Top End National Parks Map – Hema
Download the PDF while you still have wifi. It tells you which pools are open for swimming seasonally and which have crocodile warnings. Showed up to Wangi Falls once when it was closed due to croc activity and had to scramble for a backup plan.
Litchfield National Park Destination guide
Check this for recent visitor reports on water levels and trail conditions. Someone posted two days before my trip that Tjaynera Falls access road was flooded, which saved me an hour of driving to a dead end.
WikiCamps Australia
Book this if you don't want to rent a car or plan logistics yourself. They hit the major falls in the right order and know which spots are swimmable that day. For anyone visiting Darwin solo or short on time who still wants the full Litchfield experi...
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