A favourite swimming spot is Leliyn, or Edith Falls in Nitmiluk National Park. The turn off is 40 kilometres up the Stuart Highway north of Katherine. The campground and swimming areas are 20km in from the highway, right at the end of Edith Falls Road.

The huge plunge pool at the base of the escarpment has shallow areas, great snorkelling and wide expanses of cool, deep, fresh water ideal for a few hours floating about on your noodle.

The Top Pools are halfway along the Leliyn Loop Track, up and over the sandstone escarpment. Warm stone and crisp clear water make for a memorable hike. Take your hat and a long sleeved shirt; there isn’t much shade up top. Your feet will be safe and comfortable in a pair of sneakers; thongs just don’t cut the mustard on hot, loose gravel and rocky tracks. 

The campground at Leliyn is quiet at this time of year. Sweaty nights and steamy days can be off-putting to even the keenest camper however Leliyn’s shady lawns, gas barbecues, showers and well-stocked kiosk make up for it a bit. Combine these with the chance of a plunge pool almost to yourself and the idea of a wet season camping trip starts to look positively enticing. Just remember to pack a good waterproof tent.

If you are camping at Leliyn, make sure you save an hour or so for spotlighting after dinner. The resident bush stone curlews are often out and about after dark and there will be lots of different frogs, snakes and bugs down around the edges of the waterhole. The walk bridge across the river is a great place to spot turtles and fish and keep an eye out for the bright red eye-shine of freshwater crocodiles that may be hiding in the pandanus along the water’s edge.

The campground is always open but the Leliyn plunge pool will close once the rain sets in as the Edith River will rise, increasing the threat from saltwater crocodiles. All park closures are posted onto the Parks and Wildlife facebook page and at www.nt.gov.au/leisure and it’s best to check before heading out.