The Bats of Tolmer Falls

The sprawling plains of Darwin and beyond promise visitors an eclectic mix of scenery, from Red Desert landscapes to cascading waterfalls and vast scrubland. If you’re in the area, there’s plenty of wildlife to spot and stunning scenery to soak up.

At Tolmer Falls, one of the best-loved waterfalls and natural wonders in the region, there is a lot to see and do. Here, an incredible lookout point juts over the tumbling water that drops into a deep, refreshing plunge pool at the base. Around the edge, there is a picturesque walking track that takes you right up to the top rock pools that sit above the falls. These are the perfect place to kick back, relax, cool off, and enjoy the marvellous views.

The escarpment scenery is a sight to behold in this part of Australia. The gushing water falls down high cliffs in a prehistoric scene that’s both impressive and fascinating.

At the bottom of Tolmer Falls, there is a cave that’s home to some very special residents – the rare orange horseshoe bats and endangered ghost bats. Because of their habitat and its close proximity to the falls, visitors can only watch the waterfall from a distance.

The Ghost Bats at Tolmer Falls

The beautiful ghost bats that call the caves at Tolmer Falls home tend to live in a range of habitats in tropical Queensland, like rainforests, monsoon regions, and vine scrubland. They forage in these areas and then roost in the cool, dark confines of caves and mineshafts – hence their famous location at Tolmer Falls. The ghost bat is now extinct in Central Australia, making a sighting of them in the north extra special.

The Orange Horseshoe Bats at Tolmer Falls

The other resident bats at Tolmer Falls are the orange horseshoe bats, which also forage in a range of habitats, like woodland, velvet hills, and open grasslands. Again, they come together in cool dark caves to roost, which is why they have chosen the excellent location of Tolmer Falls.

The bats at Tolmer Falls are one of the main draws of the region, but there is still plenty to see and do if you don’t manage to catch a glimpse of these fascinating creatures. As well as the caves, there are a number of pretty walks around the Falls that expose you to stunning views of the surrounding landscape. And, of course, there are the pools, which are perfect for cooling off in after a long, hot day.

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.