Litchfield National Park

🇦🇺 Australia

🦎 Mertens's Water Monitor's Secret Pools
🌍 #181 Global · 3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #14 in Oceania #56 in Savanna & Grassland
Australia, Australia 605 spp. recorded

Litchfield National Park is a tropical savanna protected area situated just south of Darwin in Australia's Top End. This landscape features grassy woodlands, sandstone plateaus, and permanent spring-fed waterfalls. Unlike the seasonally dry floodplains found elsewhere in the region, Litchfield is famous for its accessible plunge pools and dense network of walking tracks winding through open eucalypt forests.

-13.167° S   130.780° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Mertens's Water Monitor ★
EN Endemic

Mertens's Water Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus mertensi

80–90% · Very likely
Great Bowerbird ★
LC Endemic

Great Bowerbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlamydera nuchalis

40–50% · Likely
Black Flying-fox ★
LC

Black Flying-fox

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pteropus alecto

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Torresian Crow
LC

Torresian Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus orru

70–80% · Very likely
Bar-shouldered Dove
LC

Bar-shouldered Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geopelia humeralis

70–80% · Very likely
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
LC

White-bellied Cuckooshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracina papuensis

60–70% · Likely
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
LC

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cacatua galerita

50–60% · Likely
Blue-winged Kookaburra
LC

Blue-winged Kookaburra

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dacelo leachii

50–60% · Likely
Red-collared Lorikeet
LC Endemic

Red-collared Lorikeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trichoglossus rubritorquis

50–60% · Likely
Spangled Drongo
LC

Spangled Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus bracteatus

50–60% · Likely
Peaceful Dove
LC

Peaceful Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geopelia placida

50–60% · Likely
Bauxite Rainbow Skink
LC Endemic

Bauxite Rainbow Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Carlia amax

50–60% · Likely
Lowlands Plain-backed Ctenotus
LC Endemic

Lowlands Plain-backed Ctenotus

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenotus essingtonii

50–60% · Likely
Agile Wallaby

Agile Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus agilis

50–60% · Likely
Brown Tree Snake
LC

Brown Tree Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Boiga irregularis

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Black Flying-fox ★
LC

Black Flying-fox

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pteropus alecto

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Agile Wallaby

Agile Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus agilis

50–60% · Likely
Antilopine Kangaroo

Antilopine Kangaroo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus antilopinus

10–20% · With luck
Little Red Flying Fox
LC Endemic

Little Red Flying Fox

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pteropus scapulatus

Insufficient data
🐒 No photo available
VU Endemic

Black-footed Tree Rat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Mesembriomys gouldii

Insufficient data
Common Brushtail
LC Endemic

Common Brushtail

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Trichosurus vulpecula

Insufficient data
Delicate Mouse
LC

Delicate Mouse

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Pseudomys delicatulus

Insufficient data
Grassland Melomys
LC

Grassland Melomys

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Melomys burtoni

Insufficient data
Short-beaked Echidna
LC

Short-beaked Echidna

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tachyglossus aculeatus

Insufficient data
🐒 No photo available
LC

Hoary Wattled Bat

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Chalinolobus nigrogriseus

Insufficient data
Dusky Roundleaf Bat
LC

Dusky Roundleaf Bat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Hipposideros ater

Insufficient data
Northern Brown Bandicoot
LC

Northern Brown Bandicoot

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Isoodon macrourus

Insufficient data
🐒 No photo available
NT Endemic

Sandstone Dibbler

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Pseudantechinus bilarni

Insufficient data

⭐ Iconic Species

Great Bowerbird ★
LC Endemic

Great Bowerbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Chlamydera nuchalis

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Torresian Crow
LC

Torresian Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus orru

70–80% · Very likely
Bar-shouldered Dove
LC

Bar-shouldered Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geopelia humeralis

70–80% · Very likely
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
LC

White-bellied Cuckooshrike

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Coracina papuensis

60–70% · Likely
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
LC

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cacatua galerita

50–60% · Likely
Blue-winged Kookaburra
LC

Blue-winged Kookaburra

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dacelo leachii

50–60% · Likely
Red-collared Lorikeet
LC Endemic

Red-collared Lorikeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trichoglossus rubritorquis

50–60% · Likely
Spangled Drongo
LC

Spangled Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus bracteatus

50–60% · Likely
Peaceful Dove
LC

Peaceful Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Geopelia placida

50–60% · Likely
Varied Triller
LC

Varied Triller

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lalage leucomela

40–50% · Likely
Blue-faced Honeyeater
LC

Blue-faced Honeyeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Entomyzon cyanotis

40–50% · Likely
Whistling Kite
LC

Whistling Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliastur sphenurus

40–50% · Likely
Black Kite
LC

Black Kite

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Milvus migrans

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Mertens's Water Monitor ★
EN Endemic

Mertens's Water Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus mertensi

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Bauxite Rainbow Skink
LC Endemic

Bauxite Rainbow Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Carlia amax

50–60% · Likely
Lowlands Plain-backed Ctenotus
LC Endemic

Lowlands Plain-backed Ctenotus

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenotus essingtonii

50–60% · Likely
Brown Tree Snake
LC

Brown Tree Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Boiga irregularis

40–50% · Likely
Burton's Legless Lizard
LC

Burton's Legless Lizard

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Lialis burtonis

40–50% · Likely
Black-headed Python
LC Endemic

Black-headed Python

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Aspidites melanocephalus

40–50% · Likely
Rough-scaled Death Adder
LC

Rough-scaled Death Adder

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Acanthophis rugosus

40–50% · Likely
Olive Python
LC Endemic

Olive Python

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Liasis olivaceus

40–50% · Likely
Gilbert's Dragon
LC Endemic

Gilbert's Dragon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lophognathus gilberti

30–40% · Possible
Lined Firetail Skink
LC Endemic

Lined Firetail Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Morethia ruficauda

30–40% · Possible
Common Prickly Gecko
LC Endemic

Common Prickly Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Heteronotia binoei

30–40% · Possible
Children's Python
LC Endemic

Children's Python

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Antaresia childreni

30–40% · Possible
Mair's Keelback
LC

Mair's Keelback

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Tropidonophis mairii

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Rockhole Frog
LC

Rockhole Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Litoria meiriana

40–50% · Likely
Eastern Cane Toad
LC

Eastern Cane Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Rhinella marina

30–40% · Possible
Desert Tree Frog
LC

Desert Tree Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Litoria rubella

30–40% · Possible
Watjulum Frog
LC

Watjulum Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Litoria watjulumensis

30–40% · Possible
Australian Rocket Frog
LC

Australian Rocket Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Litoria nasuta

30–40% · Possible
Ranoidea caerulea

Ranoidea caerulea

Amphibian

Ranoidea caerulea

30–40% · Possible
Copland's Rock Frog
LC Endemic

Copland's Rock Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Litoria coplandi

20–30% · Possible
Ornate Burrowing Frog
LC Endemic

Ornate Burrowing Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Platyplectrum ornatum

Insufficient data
Marbled Frog
LC

Marbled Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Limnodynastes convexiusculus

Insufficient data
giant frog

giant frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Ranoidea australis

Insufficient data
🐸 No photo available
LC Endemic

Bilingual Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Crinia bilingua

Insufficient data
🐸 No photo available
LC Endemic

Woodworker Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Limnodynastes lignarius

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦎

Frill-necked Lizard mating displays

FebSepOctNovDec

Male frill-necked lizards perform dramatic territorial and mating displays, extending their frills and hissing to deter rivals or attract females.

Frill-necked Lizard
LC

Frill-necked Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chlamydosaurus kingii

20–30% · Possible
🦌

Agile Wallaby congregations at waterholes

JulAugOctDec

Hundreds of agile wallabies gather at permanent waterholes during the dry season, creating a unique wildlife spectacle.

Agile Wallaby

Agile Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus agilis

50–60% · Likely
🦌

Black Flying-fox evening fly-outs

JulAugSepOctNov

Thousands of black flying-foxes emerge from roosts in monsoon forests at dusk, creating a cacophony of calls and a dark cloud in the sky.

Black Flying-fox
LC

Black Flying-fox

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Pteropus alecto

60–70% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
Mertens's Water Monitor
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
90–100
80–90
90–100
90–100
80–90
Great Bowerbird
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
Black Flying-fox
50–60
50–60
60–70
30–40
30–40
40–50
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
Torresian Crow
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
Bar-shouldered Dove
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
White-bellied Cuckooshrike
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
Blue-winged Kookaburra
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
30–40
50–60
50–60
40–50
80–90
50–60
Red-collared Lorikeet
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
60–70
70–80
40–50
Spangled Drongo
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
80–90
40–50
50–60
Peaceful Dove
30–40
40–50
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
50–60
Bauxite Rainbow Skink
20–30
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
10–20
50–60
80–90
Lowlands Plain-backed Ctenotus
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
20–30
50–60
60–70
40–50
10–20
20–30
60–70
Agile Wallaby
10–20
20–30
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
Brown Tree Snake
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
20–30
20–30
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
10–20
Animal Events
🦎 Frill-necked Lizard mating displays
🦌 Agile Wallaby congregations at waterholes
🦌 Black Flying-fox evening fly-outs

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🦎 Mertens's Water Monitor's Secret Pools

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
332
🐒 Mammals
81
🦎 Reptiles
162
🐸 Amphibians
30
605 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
25 Threatened 242 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
62%
📊
Coverage (179 species at ≥5% of 605 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
30%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (8 bird, 3 reptile, 1 mammal)
46% Global avg
65%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
92
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
18
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
29

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Litchfield National Park?

The most likely sightings are Mertens's Water Monitor (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Torresian Crow (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Bar-shouldered Dove (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), White-bellied Cuckooshrike (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Black Flying-fox (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 605 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Litchfield National Park for wildlife?

August has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Mertens's Water Monitor in Litchfield National Park?

Yes — about 87% of wildlife watchers report a Mertens's Water Monitor sighting in Litchfield National Park, based on 144 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Great Bowerbird in Litchfield National Park?

Yes — about 42% of wildlife watchers report a Great Bowerbird sighting in Litchfield National Park, based on 122 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Black Flying-fox in Litchfield National Park?

Yes — about 62% of wildlife watchers report a Black Flying-fox sighting in Litchfield National Park, based on 49 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

Litchfield or ?

Compare species and sighting probabilities

Compare parks

Explore Other Parks

Kakadu National Park 📍 198 km 🐊 Saltwater Crocodile's Ancient River Realm

Kakadu National Park

🇦🇺 Australia 🌍 #104 Global · 4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #3 in Oceania #47 in Savanna & Grassland
Nitmiluk National Park 📍 213 km 🐊 Watch Freshwater Crocodiles Basking Dryly

Nitmiluk National Park

🇦🇺 Australia 🌍 #240 Global · 3.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #20 in Oceania #58 in Savanna & Grassland
Lorentz National Park 📍 1215 km 🐦 Lorentz's Whistler Echoes Through Rainforest

Lorentz National Park

🇮🇩 Indonesia 🌍 #222 Global · 3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #12 in Southeast Asia #99 in Tropical Forest
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park 📍 1354 km 🦎 Thorny Devils on Red Sand

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

🇦🇺 Australia 🌍 #234 Global · 3.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #18 in Oceania #19 in Desert & Scrub