Buley Rockhole is a series of cascading rock pools and waterfalls located in Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory, approximately 120 kilometres south-west of Darwin near the settlement of Batchelor. This guide covers access times, parking, swimming conditions, accessibility, and practical visitor information.
This Top End swimming spot is a popular stop on Litchfield National Park tours from Darwin.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Access | Open 24 hours, year-round |
| Admission | NT Parks Pass required for non-NT residents | Day pass: $10 (adult), $25 (family) | NT residents: Free |
| Location | Off Litchfield Park Road, Litchfield National Park, NT |
| Nearest transport | 150 metres walk from car park | Darwin (120 km) | Batchelor (25 km) |
| Typical visit duration | 1 to 2 hours |
Buley Rockhole access and opening hours
Buley Rockhole is accessible 24 hours a day throughout the year. The site is open daily with no gates or restricted access times. Swimming may be temporarily prohibited during the wet season (November to April) when monsoonal floods create dangerous currents. Check signage at the site for current swimming conditions. During heavy monsoon periods, water flow increases dramatically and the pools may be closed for safety reasons, typically for a few days following significant rainfall.
Why book the Litchfield Park & Private Jumping Crocodile Cruise?
- 🐊 Private Crocodile Cruise: Skip the large tourist boats and enjoy an exclusive, private jumping crocodile cruise on the Adelaide River for a much closer look.
- 🏊 Swim in Natural Rock Pools: Cool off in the spectacular spring-fed waterfalls and swimming holes of Litchfield National Park, such as Florence Falls or Buley Rockhole.
- 🐜 Cathedral & Magnetic Termite Mounds: See the Northern Territory’s incredible natural architecture with a stop at these massive, gravity-defying termite structures.
- 🚐 Small-Group Experience: Benefit from a more personalized and flexible itinerary with a small group, led by a knowledgeable local guide who knows the best spots.
- 🥪 Fresh Lunch & Easy Transport: Enjoy a stress-free day with a freshly prepared lunch and air-conditioned hotel transfers from Darwin included in the price.
Buley Rockhole admission and parks pass requirements
Northern Territory residents visit Buley Rockhole free of charge. Interstate and international visitors require an NT Parks Pass. A day pass costs $10 for adults and $25 for families (two adults and up to four children). A two-week pass costs $30 for adults and $75 for families. An annual pass costs $60 for adults and $150 for families. Parks passes can only be purchased online through the NT Parks booking system before arrival. NT residents may be asked to show proof of residency such as a valid NT driver’s licence.
Access and parking information were checked on the official NT Parks website and last updated in February 2026.
Parking at Buley Rockhole
Free parking is available at the dedicated Buley Rockhole car park. The car park is located directly off Litchfield Park Road, approximately 150 metres from the rock pools. Parking spaces are limited to prevent overcrowding. When the car park is full, signage advises visitors to return later. The car park typically fills between 10:00 and 15:00, particularly during the dry season (May to October) when tour buses arrive from Darwin. Alternative parking is available at Florence Falls (approximately 500 metres away), with a walking track connecting the two sites along Florence Creek.
How to get to Buley Rockhole
Buley Rockhole is located within Litchfield National Park, approximately 120 kilometres south-west of Darwin. Visitors driving from Darwin should take the Stuart Highway south, then turn onto Litchfield Park Road following signs to Litchfield National Park via Batchelor. The drive takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. The road to Buley Rockhole is sealed and suitable for two-wheel-drive vehicles year-round.
The site can be accessed via two routes: the southern entrance through Batchelor, or the northern entrance via Peninsula Way (Cox Peninsula Road). Buley Rockhole is the first turn-off after entering the park from the Batchelor entrance. Day tour operators run regular services from Darwin to Litchfield National Park, with most tours including stops at Buley Rockhole. No public bus services operate to the site.
How long to spend at Buley Rockhole
Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours at Buley Rockhole. The walk from the car park to the rock pools takes approximately 3 to 5 minutes over natural rock surfaces. Visitors typically spend time swimming, relaxing in the pools, and exploring the series of cascades. The rock pools extend approximately 20 metres along Florence Creek, with multiple pools of varying depth. Visitors can walk, scramble, or swim between pools, or use the dirt walking track beside the creek to access different sections. Combined visits to both Buley Rockhole and Florence Falls (via the connecting walking track) typically require 2 to 3 hours.
Accessibility at Buley Rockhole
There are no accessibility ramps or wheelchair access into the water at Buley Rockhole. Access to the rock pools requires walking over natural, uneven rock beds. The rock surfaces can be slippery, particularly when wet. No paved pathways lead to the pools. The walk from the car park follows a short, unmarked trail over natural terrain.
The car park has level access suitable for vehicles adapted for people with mobility requirements. Accessible toilets are available at the car park. No wheelchairs are available to borrow at the site.
What to see at Buley Rockhole
Buley Rockhole consists of a series of shallow and deep pools formed by Florence Creek cascading over weathered sandstone. The water flows year-round, fed by springs originating in the Tabletop Range plateau. During the dry season (May to October), water levels are lower and the pools are calm and clear. During the wet season (November to April), increased flow creates more dramatic cascades, though swimming may be prohibited due to dangerous currents.
The pools range in depth from ankle-deep shallows suitable for young children to sections exceeding 2 metres deep. The deepest pool is located in the lower section closest to the car park. Rock ledges and boulders create natural spa-like features in several pools where water bubbles over submerged rocks. The creek bed is exposed sandstone carved into smooth channels and bowls by water erosion over thousands of years.
Vegetation surrounding the rock pools includes monsoon rainforest pockets in shaded areas and eucalypt woodland on higher ground. Native birds frequent the area, particularly in early morning and late afternoon. The site is named after Norman Buley, who led a government prospecting party examining areas drained by the Katherine, Fitzmaurice, and Daly Rivers in 1920.
A walking track connects Buley Rockhole to Florence Falls, following Florence Creek downstream through monsoon forest. The Florence Creek Walk is approximately 1.5 kilometres one way and takes 30 to 45 minutes. The track is uneven with exposed tree roots and rocks in sections.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Timing | Visit early (before 09:00) or late (after 16:00) to avoid tour bus crowds. Peak visitor numbers occur between 10:00 and 15:00. |
| Footwear | Wear water shoes or sandals with good grip. Rock surfaces are slippery. Keep your centre of gravity low when moving across rocks to avoid falls. |
| Valuables | Do not wear jewellery when swimming. Items regularly wash away in the current and become lost in pools. |
| Swimming ability | Beginners should stay in shallow pools. Deeper sections (over 2 metres) require confident swimming ability. |
| Facilities | Toilets are available at the car park. There are no bins, so take all rubbish with you. No food or drink kiosks operate at the site. |
Frequently asked questions about Buley Rockhole
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Buley Rockhole suitable for children? | Yes. Shallow pools are suitable for children, though supervision is required due to slippery rocks and deeper sections. |
| Do you need to book in advance for Buley Rockhole? | No. Access does not require booking, though an NT Parks Pass must be purchased online in advance if you are not an NT resident. |
| Is Buley Rockhole open on Sundays? | Yes. The site is accessible every day of the year. |
| Can you swim at Buley Rockhole year-round? | Swimming is usually possible year-round, though the site may close temporarily during wet season floods when currents become dangerous. Check signage on arrival. |
| Are dogs allowed at Buley Rockhole? | No. Pets are not permitted in Litchfield National Park. Assistance dogs are permitted. |
Things to do near Buley Rockhole
Florence Falls is located approximately 500 metres from Buley Rockhole, accessible via the Florence Creek walking track or by road (2 kilometres). The falls cascade into a large, deep plunge pool surrounded by monsoon rainforest. A viewing platform provides views from the top of the falls. Steps (approximately 135) descend to the swimming area. The site has toilet facilities, picnic areas, and a kiosk (seasonal operation). Florence Falls is suitable for confident swimmers due to deep water.
Wangi Falls is located approximately 30 kilometres from Buley Rockhole within Litchfield National Park. Twin waterfalls cascade into a large swimming hole surrounded by monsoon forest. The site features a 1.6-kilometre walking track to the top of the falls, toilets, picnic facilities with barbecues, and a kiosk (seasonal operation). Wangi Falls is open year-round, though swimming may be restricted when water levels are unsafe.
Tolmer Falls is located approximately 20 kilometres from Buley Rockhole. The falls cascade over two high escarpments into a distant plunge pool. Swimming is not permitted as the area is home to rare ghost bats and orange horseshoe bats. A 1.6-kilometre walking track (45 minutes return) provides access to lookout points. The track is uneven and rocky in sections.
Magnetic Termite Mounds are located on the floodplains near the park entrance, approximately 15 kilometres from Buley Rockhole. The termite mounds stand up to 2 metres high and are aligned north-south to minimise exposure to the sun. A sealed road provides access with toilets and car parking. The site is suitable for brief stops (15 to 30 minutes).
More Top End travel
Other Top End travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Discovering the rock art of Kakadu National Park.
- Practical guide to visiting the Nawurlandja Lookout in Kakadu National Park.
- Six reasons to visit Darwin on an Australian holiday.
- The Victoria Settlement on the Cobourg Peninsula: Australia’s lost city.
- Wildlife cruises – with big crocs – on the Corroboree Billabong.
