Magnetic Termite Mounds in Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory, Australia

<<< The photo on the left are Magnetic Termite Mounds (Amitermes Meridionalis) in Litchfield National Park.

Magnetic Termite Mounds – 2WD accessible. About 17 kilometres from the eastern boundary of the Park is the first major batch of Magnetic termite mounds. Location: With no fees to pay the formal viewing area is just off Litchfield Park Road in the northern area of the Park, boardwalks take you close to 2m high, thin Magnetic Termite Mounds which are aligned north-south and giant taller 4m high Cathedral Termite Mounds.

<<< The photo on the left is a Magnetic Termite Mounds in Litchfield National Park

Magnetic Termite Mounds - Built by termites, they are amazing architectural feats complete with arches, tunnels, chimneys, insulation and nursery chambers. The mounds are aligned north to south to minimise the exposure to the sun. You will experience seeing numerous Termite mounds when you visit the Northern Territory, but Litchfield National Park and especially the formal viewing boardwalka nd platfoem is a perfect place to see both specimens.

<<< The photo on the left is a Cathedral Termite Mounds in Litchfield National Park. Also sometimes known as the Spinifex Ttermites (Nasutitermes triodiae)

We photgraphed these Cathedral Termite Mounds opposite the magnetic Termite Mounds at the formal viewing area.

Time to visit: You can go to this formal viewing area all year round though on occassions the roads further up may be flooded on rare occassions for short period of times from December to March.

<<< The photo on the left shows the signs on Litchfield park Road to the Magnetic Termite Mounds in Litchfield National Park.

Where the Magnetic Termite Mounds? From Darwin on the Stuart Highway 90km then turn right on to Batchelor Road .Turn left on to Litchfield Park Road and travel a further 28-30klm. The Magnetic Termite Mounds viewing area is on the right just a few metres off the road..

<<< The photo on the left - The formal viewing platform and information centre at the Magnetic termite Mounds in Litchfield National park, Northern Territory Australia around 2 hours drive from Darwin.

Imagine thousands of termite mounds standing up to two metres high. The mounds’ think edges point in a north-south orientation, while their broad backs and fronts face east-west. This configuration acts as a built-in temperature control mechanism, allowing only the least possible surface area to ever be exposed to the heat of the sun.

Boardwalk at the Magnetic Termite Mounds, Litchfield National Park.

<<< The photo on the left the shows the visitor carpark leading onto the allweather easy access board walk to the viewing area of the Magnetic Termite Mounds.

Facilities: Wheelchair accessible toilets, Large bay car and motorhome parking, easy access all season boardwalks and Information shelter and hut.

Boardwalk at the Magnetic Termite Mounds, Litchfield National Park.

<<< The photo on the left the shows the the allweather easy access board walk to the viewing area of the Magnetic Termite Mounds and then winds around to the back of the Visitor Information Centre.

Visitor Information Centre at the Magnetic Termite Mounds, Litchfield National Park.

<<< The photo on the left the shows the visitor information centre in the formal viewing area in front of the carpark. A open air mural walled paneling for viewing.

Visitor Information Centre at the Magnetic Termite Mounds, Litchfield National Park

<<< The photo on the left the shows the visitor information centre in the formal viewing area in front of the carpark.

The boardwalks will allow visitors to experience the wonders of the termite architect's to get very close to the mounds without damaging the mounds or any surrounding environment and eco systems.

Car Park at the Magnetic Termite Mounds, Litchfield National Park

<<< The photo on the left the shows the visitor carpark leading onto the allweather easy access board walk to the viewing area of the Magnetic Termite Mounds.

How long do termite colonies live? We do know that the worker and soldier termites only live for a few years, but as the members of a colony are being continually renewed by new eggs from the queen, a colony can outlast individual workers and soldiers. So can we age the termite mounds to get an idea of how long the colony lasts? Unfortunately, unlike corals or trees, termite mounds cannot be easily dated by looking at growth rings – because in many colonies the termites are continually re-working the inside of the mound. Individual mounds have been observed to survive for decades. Credits http://www.environorth.org.au

Car Park at the Magnetic Termite Mounds, Litchfield National Park

<<< The photo on the left shows the public toilets in the background at the formal viewing area behind the carpark.

Termites in Australia are often referred to as ‘white ants’. Of course they are not ants (see above) but this term presumably came from the termites’ resemblance to ants – like ants they are encountered as wingless insects in groups but unlike ants, worker termites are often pale or even white – hence the term ‘white ants’.

There is presumably a similar origin in the term ‘anthill’ for a termite mound. The association of termite mounds with ants would have been helped by the fact that ant colonies often invade termite mounds and many termite mounds will have ants living inside some parts. In most cases if you see ants living in a mound in northern Australia, it will be a termite mound. Relatively few Australian ant species build above ground mounds and they usually look quite different from termite mounds. Credits http://www.environorth.org.au