Nitmalik National Park

Having had no phone reception at Daly River, the phone beeped repeatedly with missed calls and messages when we did get back to reception. One of the messages were from Pete & Jo Leonard saying they were on the way to Edith Falls then Katherine Gorge for a couple of days while they wait to hear about job possibilities in Darwin. Awesome news! So a couple of hours later we drove into Edith Falls camping ground and found that the Leonards had got a double site to share with us.

Leliyn (Edith Falls) is situated on the northern side of the Nitmalik National Park and is could be considered the poor cousin to the most popular part of Nitmalik - Katherine Gorge.

The following morning we set off on the beautiful Leilyn track -a 2.6 km circuit that ascends a hill then goes down to cross the upper pool above the falls. It then climbs up the other side of the falls before descending to the level of the main pool where there is a river crossing.
Views of the waterfalls and Edith River from two lookouts, on one each side of the river, feature in this walk. So does swimming in the upper pool. At the upper pool the kids and Pete quickly found a rock ledge to climb and jump off. Nick and Jo having a go too. The girls enjoyed playing on a nearby rock and rock pools. The upper pool was certainly a beautiful place to discover.

After lunch we headed down to the main pool with kayaks, inflatable boats floaties and pool noodles in tow. Nick and Pete took it in turns to paddle down the creek with kids in tow, Zach coming back with a huge smile on his face at discovering a crocodile trap. The main pool was huge and the kids enjoyed taking the blow up boat over to the waterfall and being whooshed back out again, while I sat in the shallows with Ciara watching the little fish nibble at our toes.

Although not at famous as Katherine Gorge I think this place is spectacular and loved our time here.