Litchfield National Park is famous for its waterfalls, inviting swimming holes and accessible adventures, all easily reached by bitumen. But for those keen to leave the crowds behind and experience the park’s wilder side, the Reynolds River Track is a must. This rugged, seasonal 4WD track is the ultimate way to explore Litchfield’s remote southern reaches, with river crossings, bush camping, historic ruins, and secluded waterfalls offering a very different kind of experience.
Starting just beyond Wangi Falls, the track heads south, slicing through monsoonal forest, open woodland and pandanus-lined creeks before exiting near Daly River Road. The route may be short, around 44km in total, but it delivers a full-blown Top End adventure that’s up there with the best.
HOW THE REYNOLDS RIVER TRACK UNFOLDS
The turn-off is well signposted, and once off the bitumen, it’s time to reduce your tyre pressures. Around the first bend is the longest and often deepest water crossing on the track. What a way to start!
This track is strictly for high clearance 4WDs, and towing is not recommended unless you’re very experienced and conditions are ideal. Multiple river crossings, severe corrugations, soft sand, and seasonally boggy sections make this a moderately challenging drive, not extreme, but certainly not one to tackle lightly. The further south you go, the rougher it gets.
HISTORIC RUINS AND REMOTE COUNTRY
Early along the Reynolds River Track, you’ll come across the Blyth Homestead ruins, built in 1928 by the Sargent family as an outstation to their Stapleton Station lease. With 13 children, the older siblings were tasked with running cattle and working the nearby tin mine, often living rough with minimal supplies and basic tools.
Life was brutally tough and, in 1937, tragedy struck when Dick Sargent suffered a severe axe wound to the heel while upgrading cattle yards. Despite being taken to Darwin, he died from his wound, a heartbreaking reminder of the isolation they endured.
The family kept the homestead going until the early 1960s, before it was eventually abandoned. Today, the weathered structure still stands, and interpretive signs share their story of hardship, resilience, and outback spirit, a powerful stop before the waterfalls and river crossings ahead.
SWIMMING SPOTS AND WATERFALLS
Before long, you’ll hit one of the best stops on the track, Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek Falls). Reached via a scenic 1.7km walk from the carpark, this stunning waterfall drops into a crystal-clear plunge pool, all surrounded by towering escarpments and tropical vegetation. It’s usually far less crowded than Florence or Wangi Falls, and the reward for those willing to work for their swim. If you arrive after 3pm, you’ll most likely have the falls to yourself and watch the colours of the rock face light up as the sun drops.
Continuing south, you’ll come to another gem: Surprise Creek Falls. These cascades tumble into a series of shaded rock pools that are ideal for a dip. The climb up to the rock pools is challenging, but rewarding. It’s a top spot for a refreshing break before tackling the next river crossing.
From here, the track begins to feel more remote. The landscape flattens out, the tree cover opens up, and the river crossings grow deeper, especially if you’re travelling early in the Dry. These crossings aren’t for show. The biggest is the Reynolds River Crossing, which can be bonnet-deep depending on the time of year. All have solid bases but require caution. Don’t walk them – crocs like this river too. Engage low range, and don’t take risks; there’s no help nearby.
BUSH CAMPING AND SOLITUDE
There are two official campgrounds on the Reynolds River Track: Tjaynera Falls and Surprise Creek, both accessible only by 4WD. These campgrounds offer flushing toilets, picnic tables and peace. There are also solar-heated showers, but no power, and no phone signal – precisely what many of us are chasing.
If you’re looking for a quiet night under the stars, these sites are ideal. Bring a gas stove or, if you want a fire, you are permitted to collect wood on the main track. Take your rubbish with you, and book online through the NT Parks website before you go. These are genuine bush sites, but that’s the beauty of them.
CROCS, CROSSINGS AND COMMON SENSE
While swimming is part of the joy of Litchfield, it’s vital to only swim in designated safe areas. Parks NT actively manages saltwater crocodiles in popular spots, such as Tjaynera Falls and Surprise Creek. However, conditions can change rapidly, especially after the wet season. Obey all signage and check with rangers before entering the water.
As for the river crossings, they’re manageable for a properly equipped 4WD in the right hands, but things can go pear-shaped quickly. Soft edges, rising water levels and hidden obstacles mean every crossing needs to be treated with respect.
BEST TIME TO TACKLE IT
The Reynolds River Track is only open during the Dry, typically from May to October, depending on rainfall and water levels. The best time to visit is from June to August, when the rivers have receded enough to be safely crossed, waterfalls are still flowing nicely, and daytime temperatures are comfortable for walking and camping.
Always check the current conditions on the NT Parks website before heading out. Track openings can vary from year to year, and river crossings should never be underestimated.
GUIDED TOURS: ETHICAL ADVENTURES
Not everyone wants to risk their own vehicle, and if you’re in a caravan park with a soft-roader or campervan, don’t worry, you can still experience the track. Rob Woods from Ethical Adventures offers guided tag-along tours and ride-along options that allow travellers to enjoy the Reynolds River Track with the reassurance of local knowledge and expert interpretation.
Rob’s tours dig deeper into the stories, environment and cultural significance of Litchfield’s southern country. You can join in your own 4WD, or travel in Rob’s vehicle and leave yours safely at your accommodation. Either way, it’s a fantastic way to experience this track without the stress. I must say it was one of the best tours I’ve ever been a part of.
WHY IT’S WORTH IT
The Reynolds River Track is the kind of 4WD experience that ticks all the boxes. It’s short but rugged, remote but accessible, and it serves up an unforgettable slice of the NT without the crowds. You’ll be crossing rivers, exploring ruins, swimming under waterfalls and sleeping under stars, all in a single day or, better yet, a few days.
Whether you go it alone in your own 4WD or join a tour with Rob from Ethical Adventures, it’s one of the Top End’s great hidden drives, and a highlight of any trip to Litchfield.
